Tram services to Newhaven open to the public today
Tram passengers will be travelling down Leith Walk for the first time in nearly 70 years
For the first time since November 1956 paying customers will travel on a tram down Leith Walk today (June 7) as the extension to Newhaven opens to the public.
Construction for the route began nearly four years ago, and testing has been on-going in recent weeks.
On time? On Budget?
The project was estimated to cost roughly £207 Million - a figure which Council bosses believe they've manage to stay under - and has been planned for almost a decade.
Initially there was an aim for the line to open early 2023, although due to construction being paused completely at the beginning of the first Covid lockdown, this target was pushed back to Spring 2023 - which has been met, with Summer officially underway on June 21st.
Customers will board the first official service at Noon, the extension spans 2.9 miles and encompasses eight stops.
To mark the event, the earliest passengers will be able to purchase ‘platinum’ tram tickets from machines at Picardy Place and Newhaven tram stops while Pulse of the Place, a vibrant youth samba band based in north Edinburgh, will be performing around the Newhaven tram stop.
The Guard of Honour from the High Constabulary of the Port of Leith will also be standing at Pilrig Street to welcome the tram into the historic Burgh of Leith wearing full parade dress, including top hats, whistles and ceremonial batons.
"momentous day for the city"
Lea Harrison, Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams said that the opening is a "momentous day for the city".
He continued: "We’re also looking forward to delivering a real boost for local businesses, providing a convenient transport link between the city centre and some of Edinburgh’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, as well as key locations such as Ocean Terminal and Port of Leith.
"With trams from every seven minutes between 6am and midnight, seven days a week, our expanded tram timetable will help firms large and small to attract new business while helping their employees get to and from work."
The City Council are expected to press ahead with extending the line further. That could involve finishing the loop by connecting Newhaven to Granton and back round to Roseburn.
Other proposals could see trams going past the airport and indeed into the south of the capital.
Council Leader Cammy Day said:
"I know many will share in my excitement, and optimism for the benefits this development will provide. We’ve already seen vast improvements to spaces along the route and long-term I’m looking forward to the impact it will have on the local economy, which even now we’re starting to see.
"I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who live and own businesses along the route. They have shown such patience and resilience shown throughout this major, complex project and now I hope that they will really gain from the new service.
"This is also a chance to reflect on the hard work of those who have delivered this scheme. Thanks to the project team’s dedication, despite the challenges of recent years, I’m proud to say Trams to Newhaven has been delivered on time and within the £207.3m budget."