Tram north-south extension
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) have issued its formal response to the proposed north-south extension of Edinburgh Trams. The consultation ends on 17 November.
The body says that they firmly support the expansion of the tram network and applaud the council’s ideas to use battery operated trams on parts of the route. They acknowledge that hybrid trams could be lighter, and might avoid the need for overhead lines.
As one might expect of a heritage body they have “serious and significant concerns” about using any major heritage structures. These are mainly the bridges in the areas of the city centre which lie within the World Heritage Sites. (there are two – the Old Town and the New Town).
EWH do not recommend that the tram passes across the A listed Georgian South Bridge which they say is a “marvel of Georgian engineering”. The body says that the engineering consultancy, Jacobs, who were commissioned to write a report on the suitability of South Bridge as a tram route, have not provided any assurance. The heritage body claims that Jacobs have not made a technical assessment of the bridge as a possible tram route.
The council is coming to the end of a multi-year project during which the separate structure, North Bridge, has been completely refurbished. South Bridge is a shorter, but important, crossing to the south which has vaulted spaces underneath used as night clubs and as storage.
The alternative suggestion made by EWH is to use a route along Morrison Street and Lothian Road which would avoid the need to use South Bridge at all. It would also avoid the busy junction at the end of Princes Street next to the Balmoral Hotel.
Read more about the response here.
The King’s Theatre pantomime
The panto is almost upon us. This year the performances will continue all the way from 13 December until 11 January. Last year the panto finished on Hogmanay, but there will be no rest for the wicked this year (Grant Stott!) and there will be a full fun of performances. The run is almost sold out as usual but there are some tickets still available to buy.
M&S opens again at Haymarket
The handy M&S food hall at Haymarket has opened after refurbishment.
The store sells a full range of food from sandwiches to meals to take home.
Edinburgh Haymarket is the one of several M&S Food store upgrades being delivered by SSP at UK travel hubs in 2025. SSP operates over 50 M&S Food stores at UK stations and airports, and the revamps will deliver quality, value and convenience for passengers at every stage of their journey.
Louise Eckford, Head of Property, Transformation & Programmes (Channels and Hospitality), Marks and Spencer commented: “We’re delighted to see the doors reopen at the transformed M&S Food store in Edinburgh Haymarket Station. The renewed store provides busy travellers with a modern, convenient shopping experience and the same great quality and trusted value products customers know and love from M&S.”
Stuart Buchanan, Chief Property & Business Development Officer at SSP UK & Ireland said: “It’s great to continue our national programme of M&S store transformations at Haymarket Station with ScotRail. The changes we’ve made have the customer at heart, with a wider range of M&S favourites in a brighter, fresher and modernised store environment that enhances the overall shopping experience. Whether passengers are grabbing something for their journey ahead or locals are picking up groceries for home, we’re sure the store will be an essential stop for those living in and visiting Edinburgh.”
Fearless Women in Computing
600 school girls from 15 state and independent schools across Edinburgh and the surrounding areas have gathered today for the third annual Fearless Women in Computing event at St George’s School. The event aims to address the gender gap in Computing Science by bringing together schools, tech companies and innovators to create an immersive, hands-on experience, with more than 20 companies in attendance, including The National Robotarium, IBM and The Quantum Software Lab at the University of Edinburgh.
Computing Science teacher and founder of dressCode, Toni Scullion, said: “The Fearless Women in Computing event is a fantastic initiative. It’s amazing to hear the sounds of high fives and exclamations from the girls when they solve a problem or make something happen. If we don’t act now, we won’t see equality in our lifetime.”
St George’s Head, Carol Chandler-Thompson, said: “Women make up only 22% of the AI workforce, meaning they are being left out of the most influential, high-paying jobs of the future. Our Fearless Women in Computing event brings together state and independent schools, companies and innovators. The day is an eye-opener to the world of computing.”
Through hands-on workshops, dynamic demonstrations and real-world role-models, the day underlines that tech careers are for everyone and encourages these young women to step confidently into their future in computing, STEM and tech careers.
Community Walk
Join Tamsin Grainger on a free community walk along the coast from Wardie Bay to Granton/Royston – the Brick Beach on 30 November.
The walk will begin at 2pm and is expected to last for an hour and a half. Meet at Wardie Bay and the walk will end at The Pitt. Learn about the restoration of the seagrass habitats. and the European flat oyster populations in the Firth of Forth.
