Background information on the project
We have been working on developing a business case to expand the tram network in Edinburgh.
With a west - east route (Airport to Newhaven) now successfully operational, a north – south route (Granton to Bioquarter and beyond) is now being proposed.
A 12-week consultation to inform the development of a Strategic Business Case (SBC) was approved by committee in February 2024.
The findings from this consultation will help inform a Strategic Business Case (SBC) which will be presented to the Council’s Transport and Environment Committee in late 2024.
The purpose of the SBC is to set out the policy and strategic need for the development of new transport connections along with the options for different travel modes and routes. Work on the policy and strategic need for the development of new transport has been ongoing for some time at national and local level, and you can read more about this
The SBC will propose a variety of options with which to deal with the needs identified and will make recommendations on how to proceed. If Councillors are satisfied that there is enough evidence in the SBC to make an intervention, then the project can move to the next stage of development, which is the Outline Business Case. You can find out more about the Business Case development process . 小蝌蚪APP uses Transport Scotland’s Guidance on the development of business cases.
The business case will give an overview of the possible routes the new tram line could take along with the major challenges and opportunities associated with each route. The SBC will also include an overview of what residents, businesses and key stakeholders think of the plans and a summary of the different Council policies that have been considered. Separately, decision makers will be given detailed information on the results of the consultation, Council policies and other relevant information, such as transport modelling. We’ll also make this information publicly available for transparency.
The next step would be to develop an Outline Business Case (OBC) to identify a preferred option which demonstrably optimises value for money.
We will hold another round of consultation in 2025/26 which would give residents, businesses and stakeholders another opportunity to comment on the plans before we develop a Final Business Case (FBC). The FBC stage would then seek approval from the City of Edinburgh Council to go ahead with the project.