Charting Edinburgh's Net-Zero Future: A Community Voice on the Tramline Extension

Edinburgh is on a journey to meet its net-zero targets, and expanding sustainable transport is a key part of this vision. The proposed North-South Edinburgh Tramline is a significant project in this effort.

The City of Edinburgh Council has opened a public consultation, inviting all residents to share their perspectives on the route and design. This is a vital discussion about how the city will evolve while meeting its climate goals. Here, you fill find key information about the plans as well as information about what local campaigners are demanding.

The City of Edinburgh Council's Proposed Route and Rationale

In planning for the future, the City of Edinburgh Council must balance various urban development demands. In considering the next tramline expansion, particularly the route from Granton to the BioQuarter, the council has focused on the Roseburn Corridor.

This route, previously a railway line, is identified for its potential to offer an efficient passenger route. Its inclusion in current considerations aligns with its legal safeguarding for tram development under the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Act of 2006. An off-road tram could reduce journey times by avoiding road congestion, which is a key factor in encouraging public transport use. The council's broader strategy for expanding the tram network is connected to addressing Edinburgh's growing population and its City Mobility Plan, which aims to reduce car use and achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2030.

The project is also exploring opportunities for protecting and enhancing the local ecological network within any chosen tram route. The council has stated its intent to explore the potential for a high-quality walking and cycling route to run alongside the tramline on the Roseburn Path, consistent with its focus on active travel.

To read more about the City of Edinburgh Council’s proposal, you can click here.

Community Concerns and the "Save the Roseburn Path" Campaign

Among the many voices contributing to this conversation is ECCAN member Save the Roseburn Path, a community-led group that formed in early 2024. The group's message to the council is clear: "We're not against the tram, but we don't want it here, in our local park."

For many residents, the Roseburn Path is valued as a local green space and a critical part of the city’s “blue-green network.” The path is seen as a "haven for biodiversity" that supports an estimated "over 3000 trees," and it also serves as a key active travel link for cyclists and pedestrians.

The group advocates for the council to thoroughly consider alternative on-road tram routes or other transport solutions that would achieve public transport goals without impacting the path. They point out that "the global push towards net-zero has advanced many different new technologies that unlock more options." The debate, as they see it, is about how to allocate valuable urban space for the future while preserving green areas.

You can read their consultation guidance notes here.

Your Voice: Essential to Edinburgh's Journey

The path to net-zero is complex, involving decisions that balance infrastructure needs with community values and environmental protection. The current consultation by the City of Edinburgh Council is a critical moment for residents to actively participate in shaping these choices.

To contribute to this important discussion, there are two key actions all Edinburgh residents can take:

• Respond to the official consultation: You can fill in the consultation here. Please note the consultation is open until 17th November 2025.

• Write to your local councillors: You can easily find their contact details on the City of Edinburgh Council's website.

• Attend drop-ins to ask questions to Council Staff: You can find the dates and locations here.

This is your opportunity to contribute to a genuinely vital conversation about Edinburgh's future.