Edinburgh Airport’s trams

A partially built tramline between Edinburgh Airport and the St Andrews Square in the city centre has been saved following a meeting of the full council last week.  Although £200m has to be found there is an air of confidence that the project will be completed, but not until 2014.  Work actually started on the 8.5m track back in 2008.  It incurred major cost overruns and is now said to be 28% complete.  A much more ambitious scheme covering the whole of the City of Edinburgh is still on the drawing board with its future uncertain.

Scottish Transport Minister Keith Brown has signalled that the Scottish Government was ready to help fund the trams by letting the city borrow against future business rate income.

A simple tram operation into central Edinburgh has been noted as a key to the airport’s growth, the present bus service and expensive taxis are not seen as adequate for future growth.  Competition with Glasgow Airport is likely to grow, one of the pair likely to have a new owner by next year. www.edinburghtrams.com

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