Councillors are set to consider further the feasibility of taking Edinburgh Trams to Newhaven. A report will be considered by the Transport and Environment Committee on 4 September and then by Council on 21 September.

 
The report will set out the case for completing line 1A from York Place to Newhaven and seek approval in principle for the Outline Business Case (OBC) and authority to enter into a procurement exercise to identify a potential contractor for the project.

 
A final decision on whether to proceed and with which contractor would then be made in autumn 2018.

 
If the project goes ahead, the construction will take approximately three years and, allowing for testing, passengers could expect to use the service in the first half of 2022.  The estimated cost of the project including construction costs, risk and inflation is £165.2m.

 
The OBC forecasts patronage on the trams to double in the opening year to 13 million while Lothian Buses is projected to continue to perform strongly. The document also states that a business compensation scheme would be introduced for local traders during construction.

Council Leader, Councillor Adam McVey, said: “As the fastest growing city in Scotland, and with our existing system nearing capacity, we have to look at ways of enhancing our public transport system.

 
“Together with the Waterfront, Leith is one of our key development zones; areas that we believe can benefit most from additional investment and resources.

 
“It is already Scotland’s most densely populated area and, taken with low car ownership, developing the tram would bring a range of local benefits in terms of boosting economic growth, creating jobs, enhancing accessibility, reducing congestion and improving air quality.”

 
Transport Convener, Cllr Lesley Macinnes, added: “Only yesterday, we were named the UK’s best city for transport links, demonstrating the success of our continued work to deliver a truly integrated public transport system for the Capital.

 
“We cannot be complacent, though. We must ensure we keep investing in public transport and sustainable travel, both to cater to ever greater numbers of residents and visitors and to improve our environment.

 
“The Outline Business Case demonstrates good early performance for the tram, with patronage expected to double in the first year. Crucially, however, it also projects strong ongoing performance by Lothian Buses.

 
“We have the opportunity now to study the numbers in more depth before deciding on whether to progress, taking into account the needs of the city’s tax payers, and ensuring we learn lessons from the past