Tram Design Manual

The introduction of a tram system into Edinburgh will bring significant change to the city. The system must make a positive contribution to the environment and to this end a Design Manual has been prepared. This document will act as a reference point against which submissions to the City of Edinburgh Council, as Planning Authority, for approvals under (Class 29) Part 11 of Schedule 1 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Scotland Order 1992 will be assessed. It is also intended that the Manual will be incorporated into contracts for the design and subsequent construction of the system.

An earlier version of the Manual, dated 11th March 2004 (commissioned by Transport Initiatives Edinburgh, TIE) was approved by the Planning Committee in February 2004 and submitted to Parliament as a supporting document in relation to the Tram Private Bills. The final version takes forward this earlier work and incorporates other planning and transport policies and guidelines, including those approved by the Council since the earlier draft was prepared. It was approved by Planning Committee on the 1st December 2005 and amended on the 12th January 2006. It was noted in its approved form by the Executive of the Council on the 20th December 2005.

• The scope of this document includes
  design matters which require planning authority approval, and
• other more detailed design matters to be addressed by the Council through other mechanisms.

The general thrust of the document is a holistic approach to design; there is no differentiation between these aspects. In addition, the document includes proposed planning policy in relation to the tram route safeguards, and details of the proposed planning procedures once the current Bills have received assent from Parliament – the “Prior Approval” process.

Should you wish to discuss the Manual, please contact David Cooper on 469 3720 or email David Cooper.

Tram Design Manual

1. Introducing the Tram Design Manual (PDF, 484kb)
2. Delivery (PDF, 555kb)
3. Strategic Aspirations (PDF, 468kb)
4. Strategic Design Principles (PDF, 923kb)
5A. Tram Identity (PDF, 541kb)
5B. Tramway Alignment and Integration (PDF, 437kb)
Appendices (PDF, 1.8Mb)

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