£5 million Edinburgh tram line on track

Development of the proposed West Edinburgh Tram Line received a cash boost of £5 million today.

Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning Iain Gray announced the grant for City of Edinburgh Council to develop the proposed line, and a borrowing consent of £0.5 million for the West Edinburgh Busways project (WEBS).

In addition to £6.5 million

The funding announced today is in addition to £6.5 million already identified for the North Edinburgh tram line, and will allow the West Edinburgh scheme to develop to the same timetable and to complement, the North Edinburgh proposals.

WEBS will introduce guided busways and priority measures to improve access to Edinburgh Park and South Gyle and this further funding of £500,000 will allow WEBS tracks to be easily adapted for use by West Edinburgh Tram line. The project is due to be operational by 2005.

Haymarket Station event

Speaking at an event at Haymarket Station where the future West and North Edinburgh tram lines will meet, to confirm the grant to City of Edinburgh Council

Iain Gray said

"Many Scots are increasingly commuting further and longer to work, therefore it is vital that all our cities across Scotland get 21^st Century public transport systems to support a modern, dynamic economy.

"We made it clear in our recently published Transport Delivery Report that tackling congestion is our number one priority, and our top ten priority projects across Scotland will tackle urban congestion over the next ten years, and provide more convenient travel choices.

"By providing new targeted investment for a tramline in West Edinburgh, where congestion is greatest, we are putting in place further key transport improvements needed to let Edinburgh flourish.

Congestion reduction

"Further congestion reducing projects are being developed to tackle movement around the city - and will contribute to ensuring there is a network of public transport improvements across the capital. By working in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council, and other stakeholders we will able to deliver much needed improvements and to contribute to combating congestion."