The City of Edinburgh is gearing up for an extensive 12-week consultation on the planned phase 3 expansion of the northern section of the tram network, expected to begin on 25th August.
The ambitious project will further establish Edinburgh’s tramline as a cornerstone of urban mobility, building on lessons learned from previous phases and supporting the integration of Edinburgh’s transport network. With a potential £2 billion investment in the phase 3 tramline expansion, this project will mark one of Edinburgh’s most significant investments in infrastructure to date.
What might the consultation involve?
The consultation period will invite stakeholders, experts and the general public to participate, with insights gathered supporting the design and scope of the project including the prominence of various aspects such as commuting convenience, environmental sustainability and safety.
Two route options are currently under consideration for the north-south connection. These involve either converting the Roseburn Path or charting a course through Orchard Brae and Dean Bridge. Both options aim to enhance accessibility and connectivity. With the ever-competing road and footpath space in Edinburgh, either route will bring unique challenges to be explored during the consultation.
There is an air of optimism surrounding the phase 3 plans. Creating a travel network in Scotland’s capital that promotes affordable, accessible transport and active travel is integral to the city’s Mobility Plan.
Supporting active travel
The focus on active travel throughout Edinburgh and improving safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians has been earmarked as a priority for this new phase. Designs in the consultation are likely to include proposals for cycle-friendly features such as segregated lanes and modified road layouts to better suit the tramline extension, as well as improve crossings for pedestrians.
Enhancing Edinburgh’s net zero mission
Continuing on the road to net zero, sustainability will continue to take centre stage, with ambitions to integrate more modern, environmentally friendly technologies into the tram network. The focus on reducing the urban carbon footprint aligns with Edinburgh’s long-term vision to become a greener city.
Prioritising transport accessibility
Accessible transport will be another key aspect of the consultation, with the aim to create an urban transport network suitable for all users. Initiatives including improving facilities and enhancing integration of trams with Edinburgh’s other key transport systems such as Lothian Buses will be an important focus.
Building on lessons learned from previous phases
Incorporating lessons learned from phases 1 and 2 of the Edinburgh Tram procurement process will be key to ensuring a smooth consultation and procurement for phase 3. By minimising delays in the project’s process and timeline and ensuring the consultation is accessible to all stakeholders by employing a comprehensive communications programme from day one, the project will already be on a much-improved track.
If lessons learned are to be incorporated into the project’s procurement, it is likely that following consultation, we will see a design and build contract opposed to the decoupled design and construction contracts of previous phases. This will enable a higher quality and more streamlined strategy to be produced for delivering the project. With experience working on phase 1 of the project, we are fully prepared to employ our experience and expertise to embrace the lessons learned and support our clients in the next phase.
How can EiB help?
At EiB, we are excited about the progression of the tram extension. We have a full team of work winning consultants based in our office in the heart of Edinburgh. Our consultants have solid experience working on the previous Edinburgh Trams phase 1, providing strategic guidance and developing responses. More widely, we have worked on iconic light rail and metro projects across the UK, Ireland and Denmark, including the Clyde Metro Framework and Docklands Light Railway, and will bring this sector-specific knowledge to the benefit of strategic delivery. We have local expertise to support our clients through the procurement process for the next phase of this iconic Scottish transport infrastructure project.