Proposals to run tram-trains on a railway line crossing the south of Edinburgh have taken a step forward.
A ‘high-level’ technical study expected to be finished by the end of next March.
Transport Scotland has announced they and Network Rail will undertake a feasibility study towards running the vehicles on the route.
The study would look at the technical feasibility of using the route, rather than exploring a business case.
Tram-trains, currently used in parts of Europe and on the tram system in Sheffield, can run on both tram tracks and railway lines.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “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.”
The line last carried stopping passenger services in 1962, with proposals to return some form of local service being made regularly in recent decades.
But a study put together by Heriot-Watt students last year, as well as local advocacy, has put the idea into high gear.
Tram Trains for Edinburgh, one of several pressure groups pushing for the project, celebrated the news.
Chair Rob Falcon said: “We welcome this great news for Tram Trains for Edinburgh, 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.
“The ‘game changer’ is that tram-trains that can run on to the existing tram line and into the city centre – avoiding the Waverley bottleneck.
“With much of the infrastructure already in place, we believe this is a hugely practical project.”
The group said that it believes there are no ‘practical obstacles’ to the project, but that the high-level study would confirm the belief.
By Joseph Sullivan Local Democracy Reporter
