Edinburgh start Leith Walk testing

 

Testing on the Newhaven extension of Edinburgh Trams started on the evening of 13 March and was the first tram to be seen on Leith Walk for some 67 years (November 1956). The test from Picardy Place to Newhaven (4.7km) was low speed but from 17 March 20mph testing starts, prior to a dummy timetable in May and passenger service from 21 June. 

 

Council leader Cammy Day said, ‘It’s a momentous night to see the tram coming down Leith Walk to Newhaven. It’s probably the largest infrastructure project we have done in the city for a long time, and we apologise for the disruption. But as you can see, the amount of people in the street tonight, taking pictures from their windows and coming out of the pubs and applauding shows us there is real jubilation that the trams are finished’. 

 

Construction of the £207.3M project started in November 2019, and COVID has caused a13-week delay, but completion is within budget. The extension serves eight new stops, including Ocean Terminal. Improved pedestrian and cycling infrastructure forms part of the project.