Transport Scotland has today announced that they will work with Network Rail to complete a high-level feasibility study on the proposal to reintroduce passenger services on the Edinburgh South Suburban railway using tram-trains.
The study will examine the technical feasibility of the proposal, with a business case expected to follow later. Network Rail said the feasibility study will help inform a wider assessment of public transport needs across South East Scotland.
The announcement marks a major milestone in the campaign to have Edinburgh South Suburban line converted into a light railway line – a campaign which has backing from figures within the city council and local politicians.
The realisation of the project would see Gorgie connected with areas in the south of the city like Morningside, Cameron Toll and Fort Kinnaird – eventually terminating in Portobello.
It is envisaged that a connection with the existing tramline at Murrayfield and a new connection into the existing tram line at Newhaven via Leith Walk would complete the loop around the city.
Transport Scotland confirmed the news today, saying: “We are working with Network Rail to carry out a high-level feasibility study for the potential use of tram-trains on the South Suburban line in Edinburgh.
“The study will identify practical challenges and opportunities and inform and supplement the wider regional mass transit appraisal. We expect the study report to be completed within this financial year.”
Tram Trains for Edinburgh – the group which has spearheaded the revival of the disused southern Edinburgh railway line – celebrated the news as their campaign marked its one-year anniversary.
Rob Falcon, Chair of Tram Trains for Edinburgh, said: “This month TTfE passes its first anniversary campaigning to return public transport to the South Sub – although of course many other groups have argued for this over the decades.
“The ‘game changer’ is the use of tram-trains that can run onto the existing tram line and into the city centre – avoiding the Waverley bottleneck; and with much of the infrastructure already in place, we believe this is a hugely practical project.
“We welcome this great news for TTfE, as will all our members, supporters and thousands of people across Edinburgh – and indeed many of our political representatives – who have called for the project. Thanks to Transport Scotland.”
The campaign’s backers include Dr Scott Arthur, Labour MP for Edinburgh South West, who may have taught some members of the group in his time as a professor at Heriot-Watt University, and Labour’s Daniel Johnson MSP, who represents Edinburgh Southern at Holyrood.
The Scottish Government previously agreed to fund the feasibility study at the urging of the City of Edinburgh Council.
Tram-trains are designed to operate at higher speeds on mainline railway tracks as well as lower speeds on urban, higher-density street-level networks.
With the railway infrastructure already in place in the south of the city, it is thought that the South Sub could present a relatively straightforward means of dealing with congestion by adding transport options which avoid the busy city centre.
However, there are a number of issues any feasibility study may run into.
Namely, a 2022 regional transport review recommended that “heavy rail services” not be reintroduced on the line – which was closed to passenger services in 1962 – due to capacity issues at Waverley and Haymarket.
Significant and difficult engineering work would also be required to connect the tramline at Murrayfield to a future South Sub line. In addition, bridging the East Coast Main Line to reach Portobello is thought to present serious headaches.
Catherine Hall, head of strategic planning at Network Rail Scotland, said: “We know the value rail brings to communities, helping people get where they need to be and offering a more sustainable way to travel.
“After providing strategic advice to City of Edinburgh Council, we’re now carrying out a technical feasibility study into the potential use of tram-trains on the Edinburgh Suburban line.
“This will give partners a clearer understanding of the practical considerations and infrastructure requirements associated with introducing tram-trains, helping to inform future transport planning decisions.”
