Edinburgh locals speak of 'relief' as they get first glimpse of trams to Newhaven

The Newhaven tram line from the city centre is set to open to the public in a little over eight weeks time.

Construction of the route is estimated to add almost three miles of tracks since it was started in November, 2019. Some Edinburgh residents are eager to see the trams fully functional as they have waited almost four years to see them running.

However, there is varied opinions about the trams, not least on Leith Walk as many residents have criticised the cost, time spent and the disruption that the project has caused.

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So Edinburgh Live went down to Leith Walk and talked to residents of the area and local business owners as daytime testing began of trams on the route. Night-time testing of empty, or 'ghost, trams began last month but for many, Wednesday's daytime operations was their first glimpse of the new route becoming operational.

Graeme Duff, 51, is very positive about the trams becoming fully operational and said: "I think the trams are a good idea. If you look at other cities that have trams like Manchester, they started with a single line route and expanded over the 30 years that they have had trams.

Graeme Duff works in the area and is very positive about the trams in Leith (Steven Brown)

"I think the same will happen in Edinburgh that the tram line and network will expand. The problem was how the first line was implemented but that was not the fault of the trams themselves."

Lucy Watters, owner of Weigh to Go, situated on Leith Walk is relieved that the trams are going to be running soon. She said: "I don't think I could have clung on for much longer without the trams opening."

Lucy Watters is relieved that the trams are eventually going to be open to the public. (Steven Brown)

"I think for me that there still has to be a lot of a push on the reopening of Leith Walk. I don't think that it can just be this is the trams and that is it. We have to keep pushing so that all of the small businesses can carry on."

Owner of Elvis Shakespeare music and book store David Griffin was for the trams originally - but has since changed his opinion.

David was originally for the trams but has since changed his mind. (Steven Brown)

He said: "I don't want to waste anymore time talking about the trams, ever."

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Stephanie, former resident in the Leith area has mixed views about the project. She said: "I think it will be great for tourist and residents coming back and forth in the area. It will bring a lot to the economy and to the community but I did not see anything wrong with the transport in the area beforehand.

Stephanie is a former resident of the area and has a mix of views on the trams. (Steven Brown)

"In terms of the council I don't think there has been enough help for businesses, the ones that had already been established here.

"I have seen a lot of businesses close on Leith Walk that have been family run that have been here for a long time. It is sad to see businesses like that go, that have been a staple here on Leith Walk for such a long time."

Leith resident Ally Mitchell, 74, has lived in the area all of his life and had a lot to say on the matter. He said: "I don't think it is going to benefit Leith at all."

Ally has lived in Leith all of his life and had a lot to say on the trams. (Steven Brown)

"I remember the first trams as a child and they used to go to every part of the city so the community got their benefit.

"For me it is a tourist attraction and a very expensive one, the bus services that we have are some of the best in the country at the cheapest prices in the country, why not just improve that on routes we need to? For the money that they have spent, I certainly do not think it has been worth it."

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: "Seeing trams running the length of Leith Walk and beyond during the day will give a real taste of the future of the route – this is an exciting moment. Of course, this is the first time that the new trams will be on the line in the daytime, so I would encourage everyone to take extra care when in the area."

"We’re on the cusp of passenger services beginning, with the project delivered on time and in budget, and this is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by all those involved, despite the challenges of the last few years."

"We can now look forward to a green, high-capacity transport link between the centre and north of the city, which will transform travel along the route, help boost the economy and open up development opportunities."

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