Edinburgh North-South tramline: SNP says build line to Infirmary first and find a new route to Granton
Edinburgh's SNP group has today said it would back a North-South tramline for the Capital, but did not believe either of the options for the northern section – Roseburn Path or Orchard Brae – offered the right solution.
And it said work should start first on the southern section of the line – between the city centre and the Royal Infirmary – while officials found another route from Granton to the city centre.
The Roseburn Path option for the northern part of the line has been strongly opposed by campaigners, who say it would destroy a popular cycling and walking route and mean a significant loss of green space. But the alternative route via Orchard Brae would mean going across Dean Bridge, seen as a major engineering challenge.
As the largest group on the council, the SNP's stance will be crucial in deciding what happens about the planned new tramline, estimated to cost between £2bn and £2.9bn.
The group argues that the council's "travel hierarchy" prioritises walking and cycling over public transport, so taking a large section of a well-used active travel route for the trams would be a breach of that principle.
It claims the northern and southern sections could not practically be constructed simultaneously in any case.
And it believes that building the southern section first could increase the chances of securing Scottish Government funding because of its potential to link to East Lothian and Midlothian and ministers' insistence they want a regional dimension to the project.
The SNP group's position is spelled out by Councillor Euan Hyslop, the party's candidate for Edinburgh Northern in the Holyrood elections, in his response to a request from the Save Roseburn Path campaign, asking for candidates' views on the project.
Cllr Hyslop said as a local resident he shared the concerns of those campaigning to protect the Roseburn Path. "I recognise how important this route is to our community, and I believe it is a vital local resource that should be protected,” he said.
"This is not an abstract issue for me — I live right next to the path. My partner and I use it daily to get to our cafés in Roseburn and Goldenacre, and I regularly take my son along it on his scooter to escape the cityscape and explore the abundant wildlife.
"My view is that the Roseburn Path must remain a safe and enjoyable space for local people as well as an important part of the North Edinburgh Path Network.”
And he continued: “The SNP group supports the expansion of the tram and the role it must play in the wider sustainable transport network in the city.
"It is our view that progressing feasibility work on the proposed southern leg to the Royal Infirmary is the immediate priority until feasible options are presented for the northern leg that respect the transport hierarchy which places the needs of those walking wheeling and cycling first.
"The development of the tram network in the south of the city overall not only provides a regional link to Midlothian and East Lothian that can satisfy criteria for Scottish Government funding, but boasts significant benefits to connect high density residential areas to mass public transport.
"The growing population of Edinburgh requires mass transit solutions to address congestion and meet our climate goals.”
A public consultation on the tram extension, which closed in November, attracted more than 11,000 responses. An analysis of the views expressed is expected to be presented to councillors at the June meeting of the transport and environment committee.