Transport Scotland has announced it will work alongside Network Rail to undertake a high-level feasibility study into the potential reintroduction of passenger services on Edinburgh's South Suburban Railway using tram-train technology.
The study will focus on assessing the technical viability of the proposal rather than developing a full business case, which is expected to be considered at a later stage.
The move marks a significant milestone for campaign group Tram Trains for Edinburgh (TTfE), which has spent the past year advocating for the return of passenger services to the largely freight-only route. Supporters argue that tram-trains, capable of operating on both heavy rail and tram networks, could unlock new transport connections across the Scottish capital while avoiding capacity constraints at Edinburgh Waverley.
As owner of the railway infrastructure, Network Rail is expected to play a central role in evaluating and potentially delivering the scheme should it progress beyond the feasibility stage.
While campaigners believe there are no insurmountable barriers to the project, they have welcomed the study as an opportunity to access the technical and operational data needed to validate the concept.
Two key engineering challenges are expected to be examined. The first concerns how the South Suburban Railway could connect with Edinburgh's existing tram network close to Murrayfield. TTfE believes a range of options are available for linking the heavy rail alignment with the tram route.
A second challenge involves extending services towards Portobello, requiring a solution to cross the East Coast Main Line. Campaigners contend that several engineering approaches could achieve this objective.
TTfE argues that compared with many major transport schemes, the South Suburban project represents a relatively quick and cost-effective opportunity to improve connectivity, with much of the required infrastructure already in place.
For supporters of the proposal, the feasibility study represents a crucial first step towards restoring passenger services on a route that has been the subject of transport campaigns for decades.
Rob Falcon, Chair of Tram Trains for Edinburgh, said:
"This month TTfE passes its first anniversary campaigning to return public transport to the South Sub – although of course many other groups have argued for this over the decades. The 'game changer' is the use of tram-trains that can run onto the existing tram line and into the city centre – avoiding the Waverley bottleneck; and with much of the infrastructure already in place, we believe this is a hugely practical project.
We welcome this great news for TTfE, as will all our members, supporters and thousands of people across Edinburgh - and indeed many of our political representatives - who have called for the project. Thanks to Transport Scotland."
The outcome of the feasibility study could help shape the next phase of work, potentially paving the way for a detailed business case and further development of a scheme that aims to transform east-west public transport links across southern Edinburgh.
Image credit: iStock
