Both residents and visitors of Leith alike will be overjoyed to hear that the ongoing tram works are coming to an end. Even though it’s a bit longer than we originally thought, there is, after all, a light at the end of the tunnel. We should start seeing trams going all the way to Newhaven this June, hopefully restoring the traffic connections to the city centre with diverted bus routes returning to their usual tracks.
George Lowder, chief executive of Transport for Edinburgh, spoke at a tourism summit in the city and revealed that Trams to Newhaven will be operational by June this year. What is more, a potential further Granton tram connection was also spoken about, explaining that it’s the easiest next step.
The original plans to extend the tram line all the way to Granton have been axed due to the lack of funding. However, the vision still remains present and might be pursued next.
The new tram line, that cost a whopping £207 million, was originally due to be active in Spring 2023. Even though that will now happen by June 21 now, we’ll take what we can get and will be happy to see some normality back to Leith.
Mr Lowder said: “Later this month, we will switch the power off for about a week’s time, trams will have to turn at Shandwick Place. As soon as the two systems are linked up, Lea and the team will start running trams to Newhaven.”
“They will actually be walked in the first instance, to make sure that the tram fits and gets around all the bends. We will bring it back up and do it a bit faster, then put some people on it and then, in late spring, we’ll be into service.”
With the later planned links to Granton, the area is also facing major developments over the next few years, such as the transformation of its historic gas holder, a new National Galleries of Scotland attraction and collection centre, and a significant railway station redevelopment into a creative industries hub. Granton is believed to be an up-and-coming are for arts now, so we look forward to all that is to come.