Granton, on the map.

Where the proposal stands

The council is considering a north–south tram route from Granton to the BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary. Officers recommend taking the southern section forward first, with more work on the northern options. The committee meets on 10 September 2026.[4][3]

Homes around the proposed line

proposed waterfront homes

3,500

homes in Phase One

847

Phase One has planning permission, including 214 social-rent and 173 mid-market-rent homes. These are parts of the council’s waterfront programme, not extra totals to add together. Tap the numbered pins for individual developments, their planning records and project images.[10][11]

Who will need the connection?

Existing residents need better transport. So will the people moving into these homes. Their journeys to work, college and hospital are being planned now, before they can respond as Granton residents. That is the part of the case I think deserves more weight.[12]

Two ways from Granton to town

Both northern alternatives serve the Western General. Roseburn joins the existing network at Haymarket; Orchard Brae runs via Dean Bridge and the West End. The shared approach through north Edinburgh is shown in gold. Scroll to compare the two corridors.[9][6]

Roseburn: tram, walking and cycling

The proposal retains walking and cycling alongside the tram. It changes the corridor, but it does not ask us to choose between a tram and an active-travel route. I think a connection separated from general traffic is a good use of this space. Path design, trees and habitat still matter.[9][6]

Orchard Brae: the street route

This option runs on streets and across Dean Bridge. Road space, buses and traffic reliability are part of that choice. Both cost estimates use 2025/26 prices and include risk and optimism bias. They cover the northern extension, not the whole north–south line.[9][6]

What Edinburgh has already built

Newhaven extension budget

£207.3m

network journeys in 2025

12.5m

The Newhaven extension opened on 7 June 2023. The council reported delivery within its budget and programme. That is useful evidence alongside the original project’s failures. It is not a price estimate for the next extension.[16][17][18][13]

When the tram stopped

The Princes Street closure in July–August 2026 interrupted the tram connection to Leith. These are the businesses’ own accounts of the effect on trade.[19]

The connection brings customers

Lost in Leith also cited brewery consolidation and investment in its closure decision. For me, these accounts show why access matters to the businesses around a tram line.

Another way around Princes Street

The July–August 2026 closure cut the connection to Leith and Newhaven. A completed west end–Granton–Newhaven loop could provide an alternative route around Princes Street. The Granton–Newhaven section needs further work and is outside the current north–south proposal shown here. The committee report recognises the loop’s resilience value.[19][4]

The cost, and the funding gap

full scheme via Roseburn

£2.49bn

full scheme via Orchard Brae

£2.91bn

These early full-scheme estimates include continuation to Shawfair, risk and optimism bias, at 2025/26 prices. Construction funding is not committed. National Wealth Fund discussions are advisory. The council still needs an agreed funding package and a case that tests demand, running costs and bus alternatives.[6][7]

Build the connection with the homes

I support taking the whole north–south line forward, with Granton included in the funding and delivery plan. A neighbourhood planned around fewer cars needs useful public transport. Explore the developments and compare the routes: that is what I made this map for.[10][6]