January 10 2020

Edinburgh councillors are giving consideration approval of a city-wide connectivity revolution with plans to extend the tram network north to Granton and south to the Bio Quarter while clearing traffic from city centre streets set to be rubberstamped next week.

The ambitious goals are laid out in a draft City Mobility Plan (CMP) which seeks to unclog the city’s arteries within a decade as part of efforts to become carbon neutral and respond to growing population pressures.

Among the goals is the creation of a city-wide mass transit network, the prioritization of arterial routes for cyclists and the creation of a largely car-free city centre.

Council leader Adam McVey commented: “The City Mobility Plan offers a radical, ten-year plan to transform transport in the Capital, achieving the kind of change we need by expanding use of bus, tram, rail, walking and cycling to provide the best quality of life for everyone.”

If approved an eight-week public consultation on the CMP would get underway in February before a detailed delivery and phasing plan is adopted.

The plan will build on existing infrastructure projects including the West Edinburgh Link, Newhaven tram extension and a pedestrianised George Street.

6 Comments

#1 Posted by Steve on 10 Jan 2020 at 14:23 PM

This is nice as far as such annual plans and visions from ECC go. The weary Edinburgher accepts these events, like Christmas and Hogmanay, as something to go through in an empty ritualistic fashion knowing nothing will ever actually happen.

#2 Posted by Robert on 10 Jan 2020 at 18:57 PM

When combined with other traffic reduction plans already published, this will result in even more of us driving to Livingstone to do our shopping, leaving Edinburgh city centre to the tourists.

#3 Posted by Gob_Bluth on 11 Jan 2020 at 10:11 AM

You could always take a train, bus or tram into town? Crazy, I know.

#4 Posted by Robert on 11 Jan 2020 at 11:26 AM

Happy to travel by bus BUT they are also considering stopping buses from travelling the length of Princes St and passengers will need to switch to shuttle services to complete their journies. Crazy indeed!

#5 Posted by Gob_Bluth on 12 Jan 2020 at 14:13 PM

The tram goes along Princes St and it takes less than 15 minutes to walk the entire length. Get a grip.

#6 Posted by Robert on 12 Jan 2020 at 14:40 PM

We are not all young and able bodied. I certainly could not walk the length of Princes St in less than 15 minutes plus the west end tram stop is at Coates Crescent.

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