Tram extension from Granton to Bioquarter – Spokes publish their views

The tram extension consultation has gathered around 7,000 views from groups and people living and working in the city.

Cycling campaign group Spokes has now published their response to the council tram consultation.

The group promotes cycling and confirms that they also support a growing tram system – provided that cycling is well catered for.

In composing their response Spokes say it has reviewed the planning proposals for Roseburn to Granton which already have consent. They say this supplementary information gives more guidance as the to the intended tram infrastructure than simply the consultation.

Spokes have three criteria which they consider important – reducing traffic, improving cycling conditions and not worsening cycling conditions.

For these reasons they say that the “offroad-integrity of the North Edinburgh Path Network should not be broken”.

Spokes also outline their views on tramline bike crashes, saying that the best solution is to physically separate cycling from tramlines. They point out that “wasting width” of the road with central reservations should be avoided, and they support using batteries to power trams to avoid the need for overhead cables.

Alternatives dismissed

It is Spokes’ view that offering alternative routes on parallel roads for the tram extension where the tram is using the most direct (and also the most attractive to cyclists) does not mean cyclists will use them. They also say that “kerb-adjacent” tram stops proposed on North Bridge and in Newington should be avoided as they will be “intolerably dangerous”.

And if the Roseburn option is chosen then the Red Bridge should cross the tram stop at high level so that cyclists do not have to “cross the tram tracks at all”.

The group welcomes the council’s modifications to the project north of Roseburn where they recommend using battery running trams without pantographs or overhead cables. They point out however that the council must ensure that the active travel path alongside is always fully 3 metres.

South of Roseburn Spokes point out some discrepancies in the layout and offer some suggestions as to how to route cyclists towards the new Union canal link.

Their concerns heighten over the section through North and South Bridges where there is “no cycling provision, new tramlines and continued through traffic”. They also propose two stops near North Bridge – a stop on Princes Street near Waverley Steps and one near the Royal Mile – rather than one on North Bridge itself.

They are in agreement with Edinburgh World Heritage that the alternative route along Morrison Street and the Meadows has been “discounted without consideration”.

Extreme concern

As to what happens to the tram extension at the Royal Infirmary Spokes say: “Spokes is pleased to see a link to the existing active travel routes around the Royal Infirmary and Sick Kids hospitals. However, how staff and patients get to and from the tram stop needs careful consideration given that the existing ‘bus hub’ is on the opposite side of the site.

“It is worth noting that Nottingham’s QMC hospital is served by a tram that runs through the site with dedicated covered walkways to enable easy access to the hospital for patients and staff.
“It is also concerning that the existing traffic signal controlled junctions aren’t shown here; will these retain signals to allow ambulance, tram, bus and active travel priority over private motor vehicles?”

And among many other points Spokes say that they are “extremely concerned” about the implications for segregated cycling at the East End junction where there would be interaction with tram rails. Spokes know because of their reporting system that many of the incidents involving cyclists and tramlines happen. when cyclists are travelling in the same direction as the tram.

Read the full response here.

The council is seeking views on the route for the proposed extension of the tramline north to Granton and south to Edinburgh’s Bioquarter. The consultation ends at midnight on Monday.

The consultation is here.