holyrood at the end of the line

MSPS were today visiting Granton waterfront – one of the areas originally intended to benefit from the trams.

Lothians Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale persuaded fellow members of Holyrood’s local government and regeneration committee to make the trip as part of their preparation for the coming session.

She said: “This is the other side of the tram story – while they’re squabbling now between Haymarket and St Andrew Square, they will eventually have to start talking again about the regeneration of the poorest parts of Edinburgh.

“The trams were part of the regeneration plan for this part of the city. People bought flats expecting that one day they would be able to jump on a tram and get all the way to the airport.

“But no-one is talking about the tramline coming anywhere near the waterfront for the foreseeable future, so that’s an issue for the long-term development of this area.”

The MSPs were due to meet a wide range of agencies and local groups.