Edinburgh's South Suburban Railway: Why it's time to reopen this line to passengers – Miles Briggs MSP

A recent survey of Edinburgh residents, saw the return of passenger services on Edinburgh’s South Suburban Railway (ESSR) as the top suggestion by members of the public for improving Edinburgh’s transport system, despite it currently not being part of the City Mobility Plan.

Commuters leaving the platform at Morningside Station in 1961. The South Sub was closed to passengers a year later

The line, which runs from Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket to Gorgie, Craiglockhart, South Morningside, Cameron Toll, Craigmillar and Portobello, has been closed to passengers since 1962, but is used for freight trains to transport cargo across Edinburgh, whilst avoiding the Capital’s central stations.

The reopening of ESSR, which I have been campaigning for since my election in 2016, has the potential to significantly improve transport across the city. If we are to proactively try to move toward a significant reduction in traffic in the city centre, then investment in alternative viable transport options must be available for local residents and city commuters. Reopening the line would be a significant step forward to help connect Edinburgh for residents and visitors and help the environment.

Back in 2008, Edinburgh Council undertook a feasibility study to discover if reopening was possible and whether the project met the assessment guidelines for funding from Transport Scotland.

At the time, it was deemed that doing so would have limited benefits and not be best value for money in terms of Scottish Government objectives. Twelve years on and the priorities facing Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland have changed and I believe it is time to reconsider the benefits that returning a passenger service to the line could bring to people in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh Council has an active travel policy, which aims to move commuters away from using cars in the city centre and towards more public transport and active travel. Network Rail is progressing towards an electrified freight line, which would make the South Sub more environmentally friendly with lower noise levels, so as not to disturb local residents living close to the tracks.

In a response from the Transport Secretary last year, I was advised there were no plans, at the time, to reintroduce passenger services on the line. The Scottish Government is currently undertaking their second Strategic Transport Projects Review, which will identify future national and regional investment priorities in Scotland over the next 20 years.

The South Suburban Railway, which was opened in 1884, stopped running passenger services in 1962 (Picture: Andrew O'Brien)

This review must assess the current and projected future travel demand in Scotland, when considering what projects to prioritise. Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland have the fastest growing population in the country and will need infrastructure to meet the increased travel demands.

Reopening the South Sub to passengers would present a fraction of the cost that it has taken to build and extend the Edinburgh Tram, as well as none of the disruption, with a train line in place ready to be converted to a passenger service.

It is clear that there is a growing level of support from residents across Edinburgh for the return of passenger trains on the Edinburgh South Suburban Railway. Next week in the Scottish Parliament I will be asking SNP ministers to support a feasibility study and working to build cross-party support for the campaign.

It’s time to get the South Sub back on track.

Miles Briggs is a Scottish Conservative MSP for Lothian

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