The Outline Business Case (OBC) for taking Edinburgh’s tram service down to Leith and Newhaven has been published on the Council’s website today.
The comprehensive document sets out the findings and recommendations resulting from a 20-month programme of very detailed work assessing the benefits, impact and likely timescales and cost of completing the remaining 4.6km of tramline 1A.
The OBC has been available for councillors to scrutinise in a specially set up Data Room at the City Chambers, with officers and an independent advisor on hand to provide further information or clarify points.
A report accompanying the OBC will now be considered at a special meeting of the Transport and Environment Committee on 4 September, before going to Full Council on 21 September.
The report seeks authority to commence a procurement exercise to identify a potential contractor for the project, with a final decision on whether to go ahead with taking the tram to Newhaven, and with which contractor, to follow in autumn 2018.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Edinburgh is growing faster than any other city in Scotland and our current road network and public transport provision simply aren’t sustainable given the number of new residents we’re expecting to welcome here over the next two decades.
“Rather than exacerbating traffic problems on our already congested roads, trams allow far greater numbers of people to travel, while creating employment during construction, boosting development along the route and connecting people to centres of employment, leisure and retail.”
Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes added: “Given the experience of the last tram project, we’re acutely aware of the need to scrutinise this business case as rigorously as we possibly can – residents deserve nothing less. We won’t take any decision on completing the line to Newhaven until we are 100% confident that the project can be delivered, financed and managed effectively.
“Councillors from all parties have been taking up the opportunity to fully examine the business case over the past weeks and will use this special meeting of the Transport and Environment Committee to quiz officers further on the detail and make a recommendation on whether to progress to the next stage.”
Key points included in OBC:
Rapid population and economic growth
• Over the next decade, Edinburgh and surrounding area expected to be home to faster growing population than anywhere else in Scotland. National Records of Scotland projections published in 2016 suggest city should be planning for an additional 47,000 people by 2024 and additional 102,000 by 2039 (20% increase)
• Number of households forecast to increase by over 38,000 (16%) by 2032. A quarter (25%) of this growth is forecast to occur in Leith Docks and Western Harbour area
• Employment levels in Edinburgh are projected to grow by 7.6% between 2013 and 2022
Costs & benefits
• Capital Cost estimated at £165.2m, including risk and inflation
• Patronage forecast to almost double in opening year to 14m, reflecting high population densities along the route
• For every £1 spent the economic return to the city is £1.64
• OBC includes wider economic benefits, including social inclusion, and completing the line will provide access to jobs and support business and opportunities in the area
Construction work to take three years
• Estimated three-year construction period, including 18 months on Leith Walk, followed by approx four months of testing and commissioning on new line.
• Significant proportion of major utility works have already been carried out – remainder carried out in conjunction with main infrastructure works, meaning no ‘double dig’
Carefully planned traffic management
• Diversions, road closures, access and crossing points thoroughly planned and modelled
• All key stakeholders, including residents, businesses, emergency services and Lothian Buses will be consulted on the traffic proposals set out in the OBC
Support for businesses
• Customer and service access to local businesses maintained at all times
• Compensation and support scheme for affected businesses along the route put in place
• Logistic centres and dedicated crossing points provided at 150-200m centres on Leith Walk
• Logistics officers deployed throughout the day to help businesses with deliveries
Lessons learned
• OBC recommends industry-standard contract with rigorous project governance
• Traffic management would give contractor expanded sites and provide flexibility if problems encountered
• Project would benefit from industry networking with other cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Dublin) to ensure best practice
• Consultation with the market and incorporating input from Tram Inquiry
This month, we’re inviting Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce members to share their #MyEdinChamber stories.
We pride ourselves on providing a platform for businesses to create high-quality connections – through our member database, or face to face at one of our many networking events. We love to see our members connect and collaborate.
One such example is the partnership formed between Edinburgh Trams and the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home. We invited Dean Anderson of Edinburgh Trams, and Nicola Gunn of the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home to share their experience and their story.
1. Why did you both join the Chamber?
Nicola: We joined the Chamber as part of our new fundraising strategy was to increase our corporate network, building awareness and support for our work in the Edinburgh business community. As the Chamber is a well-respected organisation we thought it was an ideal place to start.
Dean: We joined the Chamber as part of the development of Transport for Edinburgh in 2013. We found the Chamber to be a well-respected organisation with high level members who are keen to network and discuss opportunities to collaborate, and the Chamber is key to us in developing these relationships.
2. How did this partnership begin?
Nicola: Edinburgh Trams got in touch to advise us that we had been put forward as one of several charities for staff vote to select their first ever charity of the year partnership. We were delighted to receive the majority vote and the partnership started from there!
Dean: We were keen to work with a local charity but wanted the staff to pick which charity that would be. Out of all the charities in Edinburgh and the Lothians, our staff nominated and overwhelming voted for the EDCH.
3. What role has the Chamber played in this collaboration?
Nicola: Our CEO Howard Bridges met Edinburgh Trams HR Manager Sue Bucher at a Chamber Dining Club networking meeting, Sue subsequently put us forward as one of the charities for the charity of the year staff vote.
Dean: We first met at a networking event through the Chamber which was coincidently a matter of days before our staff voted for them as their Local Charity of the Year. Having already made the connection, we got off to a quick start.
4. What value have you received as a result of this collaboration?
Nicola: The charity of the year partnership with the Trams is such a valuable relationship for Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. Not only are we receiving support from the business and its amazing employees but we are also able to raise awareness of our work with the Trams customer base too – people we may never have reached otherwise. Our mission is to rescue, reunite and rehome stray lost and abandoned dogs and cats across Edinburgh and the Lothians and this partnership is key to helping us do just that.
Dean: Not only have we raised money for a great cause but it’s also provided a way for our staff to become involved in our business activities and take part in events such as the charity cycle. It’s always nice to have a break from transport and talk about our next activity for EDCH.
5. What do you love most about your membership?
Nicola: Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce offers a wide variety of networking and training opportunities which means that you are never stuck going to the same old event again and again. The huge member directory means you are always guaranteed to meet new contacts at each event which is ideal when you are looking to expand your network like us. We also love that since joining we have really got to know some of the Chamber team, they genuinely care about and look after their members.
Dean: Making connections goes without saying. We’ve attended many networking events over the years which are not only interesting but a great way to meet people in business. Our connections have led to some fantastic work not only with EDCH but other members too. We’ve also hugely benefited from training arranged through the Chamber. Our Customer Experience team enjoyed it so much we went on to work independently with the training provider.
Over the month of July, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce are exploring stories of success that our members have had through their membership with us. We’re inviting all members of the Edinburgh Chamber, small and large, to share their news of partnerships, business wins, and collaborations.
Share your story on social media using the hashtag #MyEdinChamber, or email our Marketing team to be in to win fantastic prizes from fellow members Ten Hill Place courtesy of Surgeon’s Hall, and G&V Hotel.
For more details, get in touch with Emma Reid or Daniel Tipping in the Marketing & Communications team.
The Edinburgh Trams service has been running for 100 days and 1.5 million passengers have been welcomed on board to date. Patronage figures and revenue levels are in line with predictions and importantly with the business model which was developed before operations began.
The service experienced an extremely busy launch period with around 130,000 passengers in the first week followed by regular weekly average patronage in excess of 90,000. Major events including the One Direction Concert, two Champions League games and one of Edinburgh’s busiest ever festival seasons have boosted numbers and given Edinburgh Trams the opportunity to address emerging issues and develop and improve the service along the way.
Ian Craig Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh said:
“I’m very pleased with progress so far and with 100 days of the tram service under our belts, coupled with record breaking patronage on Lothian Buses, we’re well placed to thrive as a modern integrated transport operator. What we’re seeing suggests a genuine increase in use of public transport across the piece which is a priority for us but also a shared aspiration for many in the city.”
Transport Convener and Chair of Transport for Edinburgh Lesley Hinds said:
“We can count these 100 days as a very encouraging start and the fact that we’ve carried 1.5 million passengers speaks volumes about how quickly people in the city have embraced their new tram service.
“These are still the early days of a new operation and there’s always going to be scope to refine things to make sure passengers get the best possible service. We’ve got a great team in place to hone and develop the tram operation and to ensure that we deliver a fully integrated public transport system for the Capital.”
Tom Norris Edinburgh Trams Director and General Manager said:
“The last 100 days have been a success for everyone at Edinburgh Trams, from our drivers and ticketing assistants to the team behind the scenes at Gogar Depot. We’ve had major events, a busy Edinburgh Festival season as well as challenges and disruptions that are part of being a transport operator. I hope passengers feel they can count on us to get them to their destination and we continue to listen to feedback from our customers which we’re using to improve our service further.
“We’re off to a really promising start and I’d like to thank all our staff for their efforts and our new passengers for getting on board with us.”
Despite some high profile events and service interruptions, 98.7% of trams have completed full route journeys since the start of operations. Scottish National Entitlement Card use is currently within the Council’s £500,000 budget for the financial year, equating to around 10% of journeys.
The first 100 days of trams covered the period from Saturday 31 May to Sunday 7 September.
