NEW EDINBURGH TRAM LINE TO OPEN IN 2023

The new Edinburgh tram line is on track to open in spring 2023, despite the completion dates for some sections of construction work being pushed back.

More than 1.8 miles of track, about 70% of the total which needs to be laid, is now in the ground.

The City of Edinburgh Council says the project to extend the line into the north of the city to Newhaven is within its £207m budget. Construction work on three of the eight new stops has been completed, though sections of the line on Constitution Street and near Ocean Terminal are not yet finished.

Areas affected by the construction delays include Ocean Terminal and the section between Newhaven and Melrose Drive. The completion dates for these areas have been pushed back to May and June respectively, having previously been expected to be finished in winter 2021/22.

This is due to the “complexity of utility diversions” and the need to resolve defects, the council said.

The council’s transport convener Lesley Macinnes said: “It’s clear that the trams to Newhaven project is well on its way to completion, as these figures show, and before long we’ll be testing trams on the streets of Leith.

Next week, we’ll also see the return of the existing service to the city centre, which I’m sure, will be great news for many.”

He added: “Of course, while this project will bring significant benefits to the area, we know that its construction has impacted all those who live and work nearby, and I’d like to thank them for their patience during the last two years.

As we enter the final year of work to deliver the tram line, we’ve had to make some changes to the programme due to issues outwith our control. I want to assure communities along the route that we’re doing everything we can to mitigate the impacts of this, and that we’re still on track to begin providing the service by spring next year.”

Separately, a planning application has been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for the reconfiguration of Ocean Terminal in Leith.

The application reflects the first phase of a £100m masterplan to transform the 20 year-old shopping centre, opening up the Leith waterfront and creating a new community-led complex.

As part of these plans, the north end of the existing centre will be demolished and a new frontage constructed, with retail and hospitality units looking out on to new public realm.

Detailed plans for phase two, the construction of a mixed-use development comprising a range of housing, commercial units and public realm, with a new walkway and cycle tracks along the water line, will be submitted later in the spring.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Ambassador Investments, said: “Ocean Terminal plays a key part of Leith’s current regeneration, and the submission of the detailed planning application brings us another step closer to creating a destination for shopping, relaxing, working and living that meets the needs of local people.

The proposed redevelopment will happen carefully in distinct phases to ensure a smooth realisation of the vision – that includes a focus on continuity and consistency for existing tenants and other users of Ocean Terminal, while plans are put in place.”