Edinburgh North-South tramline: Granton appeals to committee not to 'renege' on two decades of promises
‘Development of a rapid transport link is essential to improving quality of life’ - Granton and District Community Council
People in Granton have made a last-minute plea to councillors not to shelve the northern section of Edinburgh’s proposed new North-South tramline.
They said scrapping the leg from the city centre to Granton would be reneging on 20 years of promises and ignoring the impact on current and future communities in the north of the city.
The council’s transport committee is due to decide on taking forward the new line, but with the SNP and Lib Dems opposed to using the Roseburn Path and the Tories against the whole project, officials have recommended prioritising the southern leg, from the city centre to the Royal Infirmary, while “retaining the ambition” to deliver a connection to Granton.
In a written submission to the committee, Granton and District Community Council said: “We are unanimous in our belief that future construction of the Granton section is vital in bringing much-needed economic, social and environmental benefits to the communities of North Edinburgh. As you know, our part of the city faces significant socio-economic challenges, along with imminent population growth resulting from the Granton Waterfront development.
“Development of a rapid transport link is essential to improving quality of life for those already living here and ensuring that the new Granton Waterfront precinct becomes a thriving, sustainable community, rather than an isolated ghetto at the northern edge of the city.”
And the community council raised concerns that the views of the people in the area had not been heard.
It said: “We are particularly concerned that a vocal campaign – largely led by residents in more affluent areas – has persuasively argued against the Roseburn corridor option. However, most of us feel the narrative of the campaign is based on a false choice between either a tramway or retention of the Roseburn Path as a cycle/walkway. It contends that a tramway will destroy the amenity of the path completely, which is not the case.
“Meanwhile, it is likely that the opinions and wishes of Granton residents are under-represented in the public consultation responses, as less affluent communities are less likely to engage or have the means of doing so.
“The officers’ report includes a perfectly feasible proposal to develop a tramway along the Roseburn corridor, while retaining a cycle path and walkway, with single track options at pinch points. There has been a failure to champion this solution as a viable compromise.”
Meanwhile, Lib Dems will call on the committee to “unequivocally rule out” building the tram extension on the Roseburn Path.
Lib Dem transport spokesman Kevin Lang said he believed the business case presented to the committee still left often the possibility of using the Roseburn Path for trams in the future.
“We have been consistent from the moment this tram extension was talked about that we would not support that. It was overwhelmingly rejected in the public consultation. We believe the committee needs to completely rule out building the tram on the path.”
And the Save the Roseburn Path campaign group, in another written submission, also called on the committee to “remove the Roseburn Path from further consideration as a tram alignment”.
It said: “This is a huge moment for Edinburgh. A statement about defending our parks and green spaces and maintaining the North Edinburgh Path network for generations to come.
“The Roseburn Path is a vital public space - a walking, wheeling and cycling route, a green corridor, and a place used every day by people across North Edinburgh. This campaign believes this space belongs to the people of North Edinburgh and should remain a space for people, not be given over to a tram alignment.”