Private finance hailed as key to new Edinburgh tram line

Edinburgh’s second tram line should be delivered through private finance, according to a transport consultant who played a key role in delivering the Newhaven extension.

Catherine Leech, Managing Director of Anturas, called for a “more sophisticated debate” about how to secure capital for the proposed north-south line from Granton (on the Firth of Forth) to the BioQuarter and Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in the Scottish capital’s south-east.

However, Edinburgh South West MP Scott Arthur told RAIL that public ownership of transport was “a model we must protect”. He called on the Scottish government to deliver the funds for the route.

Anturas delivered the outline and final business cases for extending the city’s existing tram line to Leith and Newhaven from the city centre.

Speaking at a Railway Industry Association fringe meeting at the Scottish Conservatives’ conference on June 14, Leech said having “mass rapid transit into and out of” Granton would be “how you’re going to encourage people to live” in new housing developments there.
She added: “I think there has to be a more sophisticated debate about how we enable this, through private finance, because there isn’t public (money).

“But coupled with that, we have to look at how some of the processes behind bringing major schemes to market are actually developed.

“Because at the moment, even with private finance, if we carry on with the same almost-restrictive planning rules and business cases, the private investor hasn’t got the patience for engaging with the level and the longevity it takes to get a scheme to market.”

Arthur, who served as the city’s transport convener before his election to the Commons last year, is equally supportive of the new line, but pressed for public funding.

“The recent tram extension to Newhaven, opened ahead of schedule and on budget, showcases Edinburgh’s ability to execute major infrastructure projects efficiently,” he said.

“As the UK government commits substantial capital to transport, the Scottish government must step up and invest in our capital’s future. Prioritising a north-south tram route is crucial - it will unlock Edinburgh’s economic potential, alleviate congestion, and drive Scotland’s prosperity.”

His successor as the City of Edinburgh Couuncil’s transport brief, Stephen Jenkinson, said the council was “still in the early stages of developing the case for tram extensions in Edinburgh” and was “keeping an open mind on funding options and models”.

He said the transport committee would consider the strategic business case for the new route “in due course”.

At the conference meeting, Edinburgh Conservative councillor and planning committee member Jo Mowatt said any further expansion would be controversial, due to time, cost and the impact on the pedestrian environment around the tracks.

A Scottish government spokesman said: “The Scottish government remains committed to considering all funding options for infrastructure, provided they offer good value for public money.

“The business case and proposed new Edinburgh Tram route from Granton to the BioQuarter is a matter for City of Edinburgh Council. If the council is interested in using private finance for this project, we are happy to work with them to explore options.”