Marking Tram Trains for Edinburgh’s successful first year of campaigning

Transport Scotland and Network Rail to produce a feasibility study for the ‘South Sub’

Transport Scotland have today announced that they will work with Network Rail to do a high-level feasibility study, of the proposal to reintroduce passenger services on the Edinburgh South Suburban railway, the ‘South Sub’, using tram-trains. It seems the study will look at the technical feasibility of the proposal rather than developing a business case, which will follow later.

TTfE don’t believe there are practical obstacles to the project, and are delighted to see this initiative moving ahead. As Network Rail own the assets, it is right they are asked to undertake the study. If the project goes ahead, Network Rail will play a key role in delivering it.

Where the line joins the tram route near Murrayfield will present an engineering challenge; although TTfE believe there are various options to connect it to the existing tram line. Likewise, to bridge the East Coast Main Line to reach Portobello, there are several possible solutions.

Tram Trains for Edinburgh believes that in comparison to many transport projects, which would be years in the making, the South Sub represents a 'quick win'. This feasibility study is a crucial first step in getting services back on the ‘South Sub’.

Rob Falcon, Chair of Tram Trains for Edinburgh, said:

"This month TTfE passes its first anniversary campaigning to return public transport to the South Sub – although of course many other groups have argued for this over the decades. The ‘game changer’ is the use of tram-trains that can run onto the existing tram line and into the city centre – avoiding the Waverley bottleneck; and with much of the infrastructure already in place, we believe this is a hugely practical project.

We welcome this great news for TTfE, 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. Thanks to Transport Scotland.”