The research, policies and strategies guiding the proposals
Work on the policy and strategic need for the development of new transport has been ongoing for some time at national and local level, and you can read more about this
- Strategic Transport Project Review 2
- Edinburgh Strategic Sustainable Transport Study Phase 2
- City Mobility Plan 2021-2030
- City Plan 2030
Full list of technical reports
There are a range of reports that consultants have produced to inform this stage in the process - the consultation running from August to November 2025 and the Strategic Business Case.
Below is a summary of each report with a link directly to a download. These reports are all pdfs and may not be fully accessible. If you need any help with these, please email the project team.
You can view the full list of reports.
Policy Conflicts and Trade Offs (Report 1)
To make sure a tram system best meets its specific objectives, policy trade-offs are likely due to space constraints across the city and wider region. This report considers this policy context and trade-offs. Future work will consider in greater detail how policy trade-offs will be assessed as part of the wider Options Assessment process and Multi-Criteria Assessment Framework.
The report covers
- Policy context: the key national, regional and local polices are introduced.
- Transport Planning Objectives: how these policies have informed the transport planning objectives for tram, associated logic map, and critical success factors are considered.
- Policy Trade Offs: The policy trade-offs are introduced and considered at the option level.
Download and read the full report.
Microsimulation Modelling (Report 2)
This report summarises a series of microsimulation models that have been developed to give a clear indication of the relative route performance and operational impacts
This requires relatively detailed data on scheme layout and operation so a series of design assumptions are made that will be fully developed at the Outline Business Case stage.
It helps identify potential operational issues emerging from early design assumptions and looks at mitigation, giving a realistic and workable scheme at a much earlier stage in the design process.
They will be refined and taken throught the relevant statutory procedures before they could be implemented.
Microsimulation has
- helped identify key network constraints
- informed potential junction strategies, stop locations and opportunities for public space improvements
- helped determine tram journey times on each route.
Download and read the full report.
Strategic Modelling (Report 3)
This report gives an overview of the updates made to the Council’s strategic model of Edinburgh which is needed to support development of a Strategic Business Case.
It provides
- a brief history of model development
- a review of the most recent land-use assumptions
- the different scenarios modelled to support a comparison of Roseburn versus Orchard Brae corridor options.
Key changes made to the strategic model include
- Model parameters (values of time, vehicle operating costs, fares)
- Zone connectors and parking charges
- Trip ends and development assumptions
- Do-minimum, Reference Case and Do-something bus routes
Tram route alignment, stop locations and journey time assumptions
Download and read the full report.
Bridges and Structures Report (Report 4)
This collection of reports evaluates the structural viability of extending the Edinburgh tram network along this route. The route traverses a variety of historic and modern structures, each presenting unique considerations for tram operation at street level.
Currently at the Strategic Business Case stage, these high-level assessments examine the potential impacts on existing structures, identify key engineering challenges and provide preliminary recommendations. The findings inform further detailed investigations and support informed decision-making for the successful delivery of the tram extension.
Download and read the full report for Dean Bridge.
Download and read the full report for North Bridge.
Download and read the full report for South Bridge.
Landscape / Ecology (Report 5)
This report summarises the key landscape and heritage issues along the route and potential mitigation to offset these. This document is one of three interrelated reports, the others covering Ecology and Health and Wellbeing.
On the Roseburn corridor, landscape impacts are of greatest significance, with the potential for tree loss and a reduced level of amenity. On the Orchard Brae and South East corridors, heritage impacts are typically of greater concern, although local landscape impacts also require to be addressed.
A Preliminary Ecological Appraisal has been carried out to provide an updated understanding of the
- ecological sensitivity
- potential constraints
- potential for ecological enhancement along the Roseburn Path
It includes a desk study and field survey carried out by consultants Jacobs in April 2024.
At this stage, a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal has only been undertaken for the Roseburn Path. Other sections of the route are primarily on-street and so have less significant ecological value so potential impacts will be considered at a later stage.
Download and read the landscape, streetscape, heritage report.
Download and read the preliminary ecological appraisal report.
Download and read the preliminary initial health impact report.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING TO BE ADDED
Economic Narrative (Report 6)
The core purpose of an Economic Narrative is to articulate why the transport investment is needed to achieve any economic objectives and how it is expected to achieve these.
It is used as the evidential basis for the assessment and quantification of economic benefits that are additional to those captured by conventional transport appraisal and cost benefit analysis (these are termed Level 1 benefits by Department for Transport)).
There are a number of different types of potential wider economic impacts, which are categorised under ‘Level 2’ and ‘Level 3’ benefits.
This report considers the evidence and case for inclusion of Level 2 and 3 benefits/impacts, and also frames these benefits within the three ‘Strategic Outcomes’ which Edinburgh’s Trams Granton to Edinburgh BioQuarter / Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Beyond (TGBB) has been developed to support.
Multi Criteria Assessment Framework Route Options Assessment Report (Report 7)
The route option assessment has identified the advantages and disadvantages of the route options.
Public consultation and further engagement will inform a decision on a preferred option to be developed for the Strategic Business Case. This document will set out the case for investment and the evidence-base to inform decision-makers on whether and how the scheme should proceed.
Background and decision context to Strategic Business Case (Technical Note 1)
This report outlines the current and future problems and opportunities for the region, centred around
- detailed analysis of forecast growth
- the high levels of public transport trips forecast
- the public transport requirements needed to address these
This analysis will also frame the transportation related environmental challenges facing the region. A background of the previous studies that recommended mass transit as a primary intervention for addressing these regional problems and opportunities is provided, leading to a summary of how a mass transit strategy fits within the national, regional and local policy context.
Specific details are provided on how it will
- help meet future transport needs
- increase accessibility
- address inequalities
- have a positive impact on the environment, economy and tourism.
The report covers
- Future Growth: Problems and Opportunities
- Establishing the Case for Mass Transit
- Policy Context
- Developing the South East Mass Transit Network
- Summary
Strategic Rationale of Mode (Technical Note 2)
This provides analysis and commentary on the background to the choice of mode for mass transit on the north to south corridor in Edinburgh. It should be read in conjunction with Technical Notes 1 and 3.
Traction Supply and Rolling Stock (Technical Note 3)
This provides analysis and commentary on the technical aspects around future power supply options and wider rolling stock considerations. It should be read in conjunction with Technical Notes 1 and 2.
Infrastructure Costs, Phasing and Construction (Technical Note 4)
This provides analysis and commentary on
- Forecast infrastructure costs associated with the delivery of the North-South Tram project
- Phasing options and implications
- Technical and engineering factors relating to future construction
Design and Development: Geotechnical Desktop Study (Technical Note 5)
This provides an overview of the ground and slope conditions along a section of the proposed Edinburgh Tram route through a historic railway cutting dating from the 1860s. The purpose is to inform the early planning and design stages by identifying
- key geotechnical considerations
- potential engineering challenges
- environmental factors that could impact the development of the route.
It highlights
- steepness of the existing slopes
- presence of vegetation
- underlying ground materials
While detailed investigations are ongoing, the report offers initial guidance on possible approaches for managing slope stability, drainage, and environmental issues, supporting further detailed analysis and design development.
Depot Assessment (Technical Note 6)
This assesses the current and future depot and stabling requirements for the Edinburgh Tram network as it expands to support increased vehicle numbers and service frequencies. The purpose is to
- understand existing infrastructure capacity
- identify potential constraints
- explore options for additional facilities needed to accommodate a growing tram fleet.
The analysis covers the
- current depot at Gogar
- existing stabling at Newhaven
- potential options for expanding depot capacity, including reconfigurations of existing sites
- supplementary facilities along the route
- possible development of a new depot in south Edinburgh.
The findings will inform planning and decision-making to ensure the network’s operational needs are effectively supported as development progresses.