Subscribe to our Construction Newsfeed
Scotland Construction Directory
Search our 14,654 companies....

Construction News

03/02/2025

Proposed Tram-Train System For Edinburgh's South Suburban Line

Construction News Image
A team of civil engineering students from Heriot-Watt University is advocating for the reopening of Edinburgh's South Suburban Line, a rail route that served the city's southern neighbourhoods for over a century before closing in 1962. Their proposal hinges on the use of tram-trains, a light rail vehicle that can operate on both tram tracks and mainline railways. 

Community Support and Project Goals

The students have garnered significant community backing for their initiative, with their online petition attracting nearly 1,500 signatures within a week. A public survey conducted by the team revealed strong local support for the project. 

They believe that reopening the South Suburban Line, coupled with the tram-train system, would offer several advantages:

• Reduced reliance on cars: By providing a convenient and reliable public transport option, the project aims to encourage residents to leave their cars at home, contributing to Edinburgh City Council's target of a 30% reduction in car miles traveled by 2030.

• Improved connectivity: The line would connect key neighbourhoods in the city's south, including Craiglockhart, Morningside, and Brunstane, to the city centre and other areas. 

• Potential expansion: The students envision a future phase extending the line from Portobello to Leith, further expanding the public transport network. 
-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd



• Reduced environmental impact: Tram-trains are a low-carbon alternative to traditional diesel trains, aligning with Edinburgh's climate goals.

• Alleviated pressure on existing stations: The project could help reduce congestion at Edinburgh's two busiest railway stations, Waverley and Haymarket. 

Addressing Challenges and Building Support

Previous efforts to reopen the line were hampered by the high costs associated with increasing station capacity. The students' solution proposes "discontinued electrification," a system where tram-trains would utilise battery power on certain sections and switch to overhead lines at designated points. This approach aims to reduce infrastructure upgrades and make the project more cost-effective.

The team is seeking to spark interest from relevant authorities, including the Scottish Government, Edinburgh City Council, and Network Rail. They hope their work will lead to a new feasibility study to assess the viability of their proposal, considering the significant developments in the area since the last study in 2008, which predated the introduction of trams in Edinburgh.

Council's Perspective and Public Engagement

Edinburgh City Council's Transport and Environmental Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, expressed appreciation for the students' initiative and acknowledged the potential of the South Suburban Line. He emphasised the importance of an interconnected public transport system for the city's future and highlighted the ongoing development of the North-South tram route as a key element. He indicated openness to exploring how the South Suburban Line could integrate with other transport options.

The petition launched by the students is available on Change.org, allowing residents to voice their support for the project.

This student-led initiative presents a novel and potentially transformative approach to reviving Edinburgh's South Suburban Line and enhancing the city's public transport network. The proposal's focus on sustainability, community engagement, and addressing past challenges makes it a compelling case for further consideration.

Latest Construction News

10/02/2025
Scottish Land & Estates has warned that calls for more radical changes to the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill could have a devastating impact on rural businesses and communities. The organisation, which represents landowners and rural businesses across Scotland, expressed concern over calls from campai
10/02/2025
A new report has highlighted the increasing challenges facing Scotland's hydropower sector due to climate change, particularly the impact of increased sediment buildup. Commissioned by Scotland's Centre of Expertise for Waters (CREW), the report, published today, warns that climate change is expect
10/02/2025
Scottish Water has launched a seven-week public consultation on its draft Long-Term Strategy, inviting stakeholders, customers, and communities to provide feedback on its plans for the next 25 years. The strategy outlines the challenges facing water and waste water services in Scotland, including t
10/02/2025
ScottishPower has announced a significant increase in starting salaries for its apprentices, with the company now offering a minimum of £24,310 per year for first-year craft apprentices. This move by SP Energy Networks, ScottishPower's electricity grid business, makes it the first electricity grid
10/02/2025
Maintenance work has commenced on the Cairngorm Funicular Railway, with staff carrying out essential checks on the electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems that govern the movement of the carriages. An engineer from Swiss funicular specialist Garaventa will join the team this week to conduct s
10/02/2025
NHBC CEO Steve Wood has announced his intention to step down from the role later this year, bringing to an end eight years of leadership at the organisation. Under Wood's guidance, NHBC has undergone a period of significant transformation, strengthening its position within the housing sector. "It
07/02/2025
Kier Construction has been awarded a £683.8m contract by the Scottish Government to deliver a new, state-of-the-art prison in Glasgow. The new prison, HMP Glasgow, will replace the existing HMP Barlinnie, which was built in 1880 and has been deemed unfit for purpose. "It's an honour to be awarded
07/02/2025
Stirling Council has approved a 7.2% rent increase for council tenants for the 2025/26 financial year. The increase will generate approximately £18.5 million, which will be reinvested in the council's housing stock. The decision follows a consultation with tenants, with 61% of respondents supportin
07/02/2025
Shetland Islands Council is once again seeking the input of local residents on a range of community issues as part of the 'Our Place – Your Say' project. The project, which was last conducted in 2016, aims to gather public opinion on 15 key themes, including transport, housing, community safety, an
07/02/2025
Essential maintenance works have been announced for the Halbeath Road in Dunfermline, with the aim of improving the road surface and traffic flow. The project, which is scheduled to begin on 24 February and last until March 14, 2025, will involve resurfacing the road from Garvock Bank Railway Bridg
RBT Underfloor LimitedMorris & Spottiswood LtdMaccaferri LtdAlternative Tying Systems LtdACCON UK LtdIBT Building & Timber (Merchants) LtdSynergy Lifting SolutionsSynergy Training SolutionsBabbity EnvironmentalMaterials Market UK Trading Ltd