Passenger providers on the brand new tram path to Newhaven are scheduled to begin on 7 June, it was introduced as we speak (Thursday, 25 Might).
The route, which has been underneath development since November 2019, has been delivered on schedule and throughout the £207.3m price range.
Council Chief Cammy Day welcomed the information from Iona Avenue, the place two historic cable wheels relationship again to Victorian Edinburgh’s unique tram system have been lowered into place on Thursday. The wheels, that are 2.6m in diameter, have been rediscovered on the Pilrig Avenue junction with Leith Stroll in August 2021 throughout Trams to Newhaven excavations and can now be placed on everlasting show as a part of public realm enhancements to Iona Avenue.
Over latest months rigorous testing to make sure the newly constructed line, software program and alerts work successfully and safely has included working trams at half and full velocity and finally to timetable, work to combine signalling and interface with Edinburgh Trams’ management centre and driver familiarisation.
Commonplace timetable testing will proceed on the route within the run-up to the launch of providers on 7 June.
Council Chief Cammy Day stated:
As we welcome again a chunk of tram historical past to Leith Stroll, it’s becoming that we’re additionally capable of look ahead to the way forward for Edinburgh’s tram community, and the beginning of passenger providers on the brand-new line to Newhaven. Whereas this can be a second for celebration, it’s additionally an opportunity to replicate on the previous few years, and I’d wish to take the chance to thank residents and companies for his or her endurance throughout this main, complicated mission. The completion of this line, delivering excessive capability, clear transport to the densely populated north of the Capital, signifies our aspirations to turn out to be a sustainable, web zero metropolis. And by bettering connectivity to the waterfront, it received’t solely promote additional financial growth in Leith, however will deliver jobs and extra reasonably priced housing too. We’re now counting down the times to passenger providers, and I’m happy to say this mission shall be delivered inside price range and on time. That is due to classes realized from the earlier mission together with quite a lot of exhausting work and dedication from our in-house Council group who’ve led and delivered the mission, in addition to contractors concerned within the development course of
Lea Harrison, Managing Director of Edinburgh Trams, stated:
The setting of a launch date for the brand new line is implausible information for metropolis residents and guests, however notably communities between the town centre and Newhaven. In recent times, due to the efforts of the complete Edinburgh Trams group, our multi award-winning tramway has turn out to be some of the common transport methods of its sort due to a single-minded dedication to service excellence that may proceed into an thrilling new period. As we strategy this main milestone within the historical past of Edinburgh Trams and the town, we will’t wait to welcome much more prospects on board as we introduce swift and dependable providers to the colourful communities alongside the route, serving to to unlock their full potential and offering an actual enhance for native companies.
Whereas the mission will open for income providers on 7 June 2023, excellent public realm works will proceed in some sections.
Discover out extra about Trams to Newhaven.
