Edinburgh City Council’s consultation for the tram expansion has now closed for public submission.
The findings will now be analysed and will be brought towards a committee hearing in 2026.
The consultation will now move on to the second stage of the debate, the Outline Business case (OBC) where Transport Scotland will consider different factors and risks associated with the project.
The council opened a 12-week consultation in August this year for residents and businesses to submit their views on a proposed tram expansion.
The expansion of the tram network aimed to see Granton in the north of the city to the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary area of the city.
The proposal outlined two routes to connect Granton to the city centre, the Roseburn Path or Orchard Brae.
However, a debate was sparked over the two routes, with concerns over the ecological impact for the Roseburn path route.
Councillor Hal Osler for the Inverleith ward said: “Using a path network that presently has only active travel on it for a tram network goes against all these policies… once we lose a greenspace, we rarely get it back.”
The alternative, the Orchard Brae route will see construction over Dean Bridge, which is a listed monument and also the more expensive route.
Local business owners have spoken of their concern for this option. Samuel, the owner of Croccante and Co. on Lynedoch Place, which is just off Dean Bridge, said: “Edinburgh is already working in terms of services.
“What I see is just the council side of it that will take advantage of the situation while everyone else will suffer, when everything’s finished things will go back to normal but how long will that take?”
Concerns were also raised over the cost of the project.
Inverleith Ward Councillor Max Mitchell has objected to the tram development, saying: “With continued reductions and increased pressured in local government budgets, the Council cannot and should not put any more resource into this pursuit.”
Transform Scotland, an organisation aimed to promote sustainable travel, released their response to the consultation on Monday, outlining their support for the expansion.
They outlined their support for the Roseburn path option claiming it is the only viable option of the two.
The organisation commented on the Council’s modification of the plans to ensure that the Roseburn path’s cycling paths are retained, the community aspect, and the cheaper cost of this option.
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “Our overarching vision is to truly link our city for the benefit of all.
“From our flagship £1.3bn development at Granton Waterfront through to the city centre, our world-famous universities, cultural hubs, brilliant local businesses, new housing developments, hospitals and beyond; our transport network must move with the times.”
