This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Plans for third tram line for Edinburgh
18/12/2002
Plans for a third tram line for Edinburgh were outlined
today, which will run from the city centre towards the
South East Wedge past the New Royal Infirmary.
Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning
Iain Gray detailed plans for the South East Edinburgh tram.
It will make real improvements to the public transport in
Edinburgh by creating a tram network and opening up access
to jobs and services across the city.
Funding for the tram comes from the Executive's
Integrated Transport Fund, which contributes towards the
priorities of the Transport Delivery Report and will go to
City of Edinburgh Council.
The detail was outlined as Scottish Ministers gave
Approval in Principle to the City of Edinburgh Council's
congestion charging proposals. In granting approval,
Ministers emphasised that the Council should give further
consideration to the fair treatment of those who would have
to pay the charge and those who will benefit from any
improvements; ensure that there are up front public
transport improvements in place before charging begins; and
at the Approval in Detail stage be able to demonstrate
clear public support for the scheme.
The approval does not commit Ministers to approve any
later application for Approval-in-Detail. This will need to
be considered on its merits in due course.
Mr Gray said:
"It is vital that Edinburgh gets the public transport
network a capital city deserves so I am delighted to
outline the plans for the third tram line across the city
which will complement the development currently on-going
for the North and West Edinburgh tram lines.
"The prospect of a network of tram lines across the
city, the first trams in Scotland for decades, is an
exciting one. Trams will play a key part in the city's
public transport system and they will reduce congestion by
offering rapid and efficient travel into and around the
city.
"Congestion charging is all about tackling increasing
road traffic and ensuring that alternatives to using the
car are available. This is why we have made it clear that
significant improvements to public transport must be
introduced before any charging scheme, and why we are
committed to ensuring that the Council's plans have clear
public support before it can be implemented."
"This part of the Scottish Executive's commitment to
improving public transport infrastructure across Scotland
will support the economy and will connect our
communities".
Trams are part of a comprehensive package of measures to
ease congestion hotspots and offer people more travel
choices in Edinburgh.
This includes:
- busways across the city;
- park & ride facilities in and outside the
city;
- Edinburgh Crossrail, Scotland's first new passenger
rail service for nine years is already making a big
difference to the lives of many since opening in June
this year.
Last month the Minister also announced that Edinburgh
and Lothian would benefit from the largest slice of the
final round of the Public Transport Fund with an award of
£22.4 million, one third of the national award, for local
transport projects in Edinburgh and Lothian. This funding
will provide:
- better links to South Gyle/Edinburgh Park, North
Edinburgh and the New Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and
Fort Kinnaird;
- improved park & ride facilities in South East
Scotland;
- enlarged railway station car parks at Livingston
North, Livingston South, Bathgate and Uphall;
- doubling the size of the Park and Ride at the
Ferrytoll.
Work is also due to start in the new year at Edinburgh
Park station.
These projects will contribute to significant transport
improvements within the city centre, as well as commuter
journeys into Edinburgh and will allow, at the same time,
for further improvements from the Council.
Today's approval in principle for the Council's
congestion charging plans is the first stage in the process
the Council must go through to achieve full approval.
Iain Gray announced support for the third tram line on
23 October 2002 when he announced an award from the
Integrated Transport Fund to the City of Edinburgh
Council.
The Transport (Scotland) Act 2001 contains provision for
road user charging on local roads that will improve urban
environments by reducing congestion and encouraging
motorists to switch to public transport. The Act does not
allow charging on trunk roads and Scottish Ministers have
made it clear that significant improvements to public
transport must be introduced prior to any charging scheme,
all schemes will be subject to extensive local consultation
and that all money raised will be ring-fenced for transport
purposes.
Scottish Ministers have laid down the following policy
criteria that any charging scheme will have to meet:
- the scheme will reduce congestion and/or noise and
emissions;
- that the net revenues from charging will be additional
(i.e. will be spent on transport schemes over and above
what would otherwise have been possible)
- that there is fair treatment of those who pay the
charge (and/or suffer the congestion or environmental
problem) and those who benefit from the scheme (i.e. that
those that pay also see the benefits);
- that a range of (up front) public transport
improvements are in place before charging is introduced,
with further improvements to follow.