Edinburgh South Sub: Council calls for promised feasibility study on tram-trains to start within six months
Council will write to new Transport Secretary Stephen Flynn
Edinburgh council is to press new Transport Minister Stephen Flynn to fund a feasibility study on reopening the South Suburban railway with tram-trains, as the SNP promised in its election manifesto.
SNP councillor Danny Aston proposed a motion at full council, calling for the council to have talks with the Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government on progressing such a study. But the council agreed an amendment by the Liberal Democrats, which went further by demanding that the feasibility study should start within the next six months.
Cllr Aston said the southern extension of the tram network could link to the South Sub at Cameron Toll, opening up huge possibilities for tram-trains, which can run on both tramlines and rail track.
Fellow SNP councillor Neil Gardiner praised the work of students at Heriot-Watt University who had shown how the South Sub could connect with the tram network. “That potentially adds to regional connectivity across the whole of the region, which is something the Scottish Government supports and so could make a very strong business case. We have a new transport minister and I think there is real opportunity to collaborate here.”
Lib Dem transport spokesman Kevin Lang said a manifesto commitment was not a delivered policy. “I think it is important we press the new Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Tourism and Transport to emphasise the need for this to happen, but also for it to happen quickly because we’re going to have some big decisions to make relatively soon about the tram. We can’t hang about. This is going to be relevant to our discussions, we need to get on with it.”
The council agreed that transport convener Stephen Jenkinson should write to Mr Flynn to confirm the council’s strong support for the principle of using the South Sub for a passenger tram-train service; seek confirmation that the necessary funding will be provided so the feasibility study can begin within the next six months; and ask what input will be required from council officers to support the feasibility study.
Campaign group Tram Trains for Edinburgh welcomed the council’s move and said in comparison to many transport projects, which would be years in the making, the South Sub represented a “quick win”.
Rob Falcon, chair of the group, said: “The project is well defined, based on an existing rail route, likely to demonstrate a positive benefit/cost ratio and an opportunity to get 'shovels in the ground' soon. It's complementary, but separate, from the larger tram extension project. The new Transport Minister would be well advised to give it his prompt attention.
“The city council directly requesting that the Scottish Government funds the feasibility study, represents a further milestone in getting this project done for the benefit of the city and the wider Lothian region.”
He said the council vote indicated broad support for the project across the political parties, in a way not demonstrated before. “We urge the Council to set ambitious objectives and keep up the pressure on the newly elected government."
The SNP manifesto pledge said: “Tram-Trains have been established in a number of European cities, and most recently in Cardiff. We will commission a full feasibility study for the use of Tram-Trains on the South Suburban line in Edinburgh and support the next stages of the feasibility work of the Clyde Metro proposals, to determine if they are an efficient investment of public money to improve the public transport offering in our two biggest cities and help foster economic growth.”