Passenger services on the new tram route to Newhaven are scheduled to start on 7 June, it was announced on Thursday, 25th of May.
The construction of this route began in November 2019 and has been completed according to the planned timeline, staying within the allocated budget of £207.3 million.
Cammy Day, the Council Leader, expressed his delight upon receiving this news at Iona Street. On Thursday, two historic cable wheels, dating back to the original tram system of Victorian Edinburgh, were carefully lowered into place. These wheels, measuring 2.6 meters in diameter, were discovered in August 2021 during the excavation work for the Trams to Newhaven project, specifically at the Pilrig Street junction with Leith Walk. They will now be showcased permanently as part of the public realm enhancements on Iona Street.
Over recent months rigorous testing to ensure the newly constructed line, software and signals work effectively and safely has included running trams at half and full speed and eventually to timetable, work to integrate signalling and interface with Edinburgh Trams’ control centre and driver familiarisation.
Standard timetable testing will continue on the route in the run-up to the launch of services on 7 June.
Council Leader Cammy DayAs we welcome back a piece of tram history to Leith Walk, it’s fitting that we’re also able to look forward to the future of Edinburgh’s tram network, and the start of passenger services on the brand-new line to Newhaven.
While this is a moment for celebration, it’s also a chance to reflect on the last few years, and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank residents and businesses for their patience during this major, complex project.
The completion of this line, delivering high capacity, clean transport to the densely populated north of the Capital, signifies our aspirations to become a sustainable, net zero city. And by improving connectivity to the waterfront, it won’t only promote further economic development in Leith, but will bring jobs and more affordable housing too.
We’re now counting down the days to passenger services, and I’m pleased to say this project will be delivered within budget and on time. This is thanks to lessons learned from the previous project along with a great deal of hard work and dedication from our in-house Council team who have led and delivered the project, as well as contractors involved in the construction process
Lea Harrison, Managing Director of Edinburgh TramsThe setting of a launch date for the new line is fantastic news for city residents and visitors, but particularly communities between the city centre and Newhaven.
In recent years, thanks to the efforts of the entire Edinburgh Trams team, our multi award-winning tramway has become one of the most popular transport systems of its type thanks to a single-minded commitment to service excellence that will continue into an exciting new era.
As we approach this major milestone in the history of Edinburgh Trams and the city, we can’t wait to welcome even more customers on board as we introduce swift and reliable services to the vibrant communities along the route, helping to unlock their full potential and providing a real boost for local businesses.
