Edinburgh workshops Newhaven tram extension designs

Edinburgh City Council is running a series of workshops with residents, traders, active travel organisations and community representatives to refine proposals for extending the tram network to Newhaven. 

The three workshops focus on key themes raised during a six-week first phase of public consultation held by the project team during March and April.

The workshops began with a focus on the section between Pilrig Street and Foot of the Walk. 

Twenty-four people attended the four-hour session, including elected members, community councillors, local businesses, partner organisations such as Lothian Buses, and interest groups such as Sustrans and Living Streets.

Four viable alternative layouts for Pilrig Street to Foot of the Walk were presented to the workshop, with one - 3b – emerging as the preferred by the attendees. 

Option 3b includes two running lanes for all traffic (one northbound, one southbound), a segregated cycleway and maximised footway on both sides of the street, plus a 1.8m central verge, which can be used as a safe crossing point/refuge. Option 3b also accommodates parking and loading on both sides, where space is adequate.??

Although this option was preferred, a number of issues were raised, such as loading for commercial premises. ??The Trams to Newhaven project team is currently examining these issues ahead of a second workshop on Pilrig Street to Foot of the Walk, where a preferred option will be chosen as part of the final designs for Council to vote on later in the year.

??The remaining workshop in the series will focus on public realm at Elm Row. Meanwhile, members of the Transport and Environment Committee today heard a presentation from the project team outlining amendments, which have already been made to the Trams to Newhaven plans following the spring consultation.

Lesley Macinnes, transport convener at the council, said: “We’re working incredibly hard to shape the proposals using the invaluable feedback submitted, so that the final designs which council will vote on towards the end of this year are as community-based as possible.”

Andy Keba, Sustrans Scotland's head of strategic partnerships, said: “We found Trams to Newhaven workshop extremely constructive. It is clear that the City of Edinburgh Council recognises the ambition for Leith Walk to continue to improve as a place that prioritises people. Sustrans Scotland look forward to continued engagement with the process, and will support those measures which improve walking and cycling for the community of Leith.” 

Stuart Hay, director of Living Streets Scotland, said: “The tram designs have come a long way to addressing the concerns of pedestrians and cyclists in terms of space and quality of the public realm. It was good to see the tram team working with communities on the solutions to some challenging issues. Hopefully, further work can meet technical and business considerations and the needs of the local community.”