Tram progress on the right lines but can't be the terminus

Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. It is a thought our city councillors might bear in mind over the next few days as they make important decisions about the future of proposed and vital new infrastructure. On September 10, the City's Transport and Environment Committee is to consider the strategic business case for a new North-South tram route, following a major public consultation. The Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce is fully behind the proposal in its entirety, which would create a new tram connection from Granton Waterfront in the north, through the city centre, to the Royal Infirmary and Edinburgh BioQuarter and beyond to the south. In our view, it would support good economic growth and create more well-paid jobs, while improving access to healthcare for many tens of thousands of people, including many living in some of the city's most deprived communities. The new route would also connect two of Edinburgh's five identified strategic development areas: the £1 billion-plus Granton Waterfront regeneration in the north and Edinburgh BioQuarter to the south. At the Chamber, we believe improving access to both is essential to these vital parts of our city achieving their full potential. There is, however, a significant challenge to overcome. It appears the proposal is unlikely to gather sufficient political support to proceed in its entirety at this stage. There has been local opposition to the proposed routes to the north of the city, in particular any tramline use of Roseburn Path, which is popular with cyclists and pedestrians. And it is in considering this that our councillors might bear in mind the progress v perfection warning. What is important now is that we find a way forward that allows the benefits of better connectivity to be realised, while continuing to work towards the ambition of a full North-South route. There are good reasons to believe a compromise may be possible, with the city-centre to BioQuarter section progressing as an initial phase. That, in itself, should be welcomed. A tram connection to the BioQuarter would improve access to Edinburgh's main hospital for many people and help unlock more of the enormous economic potential of the Capital's globally significant life sciences hub. It is an area that is already delivering significant growth in well-paid and skilled new jobs, as well as playing an important role in improving our nation's healthcare. But this should not be the end of the conversation around a route to Granton. The Chamber was one of 18 organisations that signed a letter of support for the proposal because it would help Edinburgh grow its economy better, faster and more fairly, reduce emissions, and improve access to jobs and healthcare. We still believe that to be the case. More than £1 billion is being spent to regenerate the northern edge of our city, with thousands of new homes and commercial buildings going up. Much of that work has been predicated on improved transport links. Connecting that investment to the tram network, as was envisaged, remains an important part of ensuring this area can realise its full growth potential. If the original route cannot be delivered as planned, solutions must be found. We now know, because of the initial tram development, that this investment can bring a healthy return. The council's own research shows that every £1 invested can generate £4 of economic benefit – and that means increased revenues to support our wider public services. Funding remains a challenge, with the cost of the full route estimated at between £2bn and £2.9bn. The Scottish Government considers the proposal a 'local transport project.' As a vital piece of infrastructure essential to future growth in the nation's Capital and a major driver of future economic growth, we would beg to disagree. Edinburgh will provide much of the country's population and economic growth over the next decade and more. Improved connectivity is not a luxury, it is a vital part of the infrastructure we need to support that growth. If our national government in Scotland will not provide the funding, then increased regional devolution, which seems to be gaining favour in Holyrood, could help resolve the funding conundrum, with some innovative thinking. The impending decision to be taken by councillors is important – but so is what they decide should happen next. The proposal may need to be revisited, but it cannot be allowed to drift indefinitely. Our local politicians must focus on making progress now, while continuing to pursue the ambition and excellence that a full North-South route would offer our city. It doesn't need to be perfect – but it does need to be the best that we can possibly do for future generations. Director of Policy & Insights, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce