Edinburgh tram extension carries first passengers

The £207m extension to Edinburgh's tram system has carried its first paying passengers.

The 2.9-mile route from Picardy Place to Newhaven, which has eight stops, has been under construction since November 2019.

Until now, the trams have run on a route between Edinburgh Airport and York Place.

The completion of the new line sees trams return to Leith Walk for the first time since 1956.

City of Edinburgh Council leader Cammy Day said the launch was a "momentous occasion".

• Tram extension to carry first passengers from June

• Tram runs on Leith Walk for first time in 67 years

"It's a real landmark moment for Edinburgh as we bring this high capacity, sustainable and reliable service to the north of the city," he said.

He said people who lived or owned businesses along the route had shown "patience and resilience" during the project.

"I hope that they will really gain from the new service," he added.

An Edinburgh tram on the new extension of the line

The extension to the city's tram service was approved by councillors in April 2019.

By that point the cost had risen from an original estimate of £165m to a final budget of £207m. Council leaders have said the project was completed on time and on budget.

However, some residents say living alongside the route has been "hell" and that the work is far from finished.

Dr Colin Mackenzie, who is a local business consultant, told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme: "It's a lie to say it's on time. I'm overlooking the cruise terminal and the landscaping is a mess.

"Newhaven terminal is a mess as well - there are still piles of things to do. It may be running on time but it's certainly not finished."

Adam Barclay, of Argonauts bookshop, said he felt for the businesses which had not survived

He added: "It's been hell for the people here. There's been the equivalent of the Belfast Peace Wall between the block of flats down in Leith and the Ocean Terminal shopping area, which has meant big detours.

"The noise has been absolutely horrendous for people. I've lost tens of thousands of pounds because I had a business on the route that was affected. I had to close a shop because of it and make people redundant.

"There has been a trail of destruction down the tram works for businesses."

Other local bosses have a different view.

Adam Barclay, of Argonauts bookshop in Leith, said the extension would be good for business.

But he added: "I really feel for those other businesses which almost made it (through the tram works) but didn't survive."

Karen Grieg said the construction work had been disruptive to businesses

Karen Grieg, of gift shop Destined for Home in Leith, said the disruption had been hard on her business.

She said: "It's still quiet, maybe due to the cost of living... but we are from Leith and we persevere."

The city's original tram project was finished five years late and cost £776m - more than twice its original budget, for a shorter route than had been planned at the start.

An inquiry was established in 2014 to find out what went wrong.

The probe, which has cost the taxpayer more than £13m to date, is expected to publish its findings soon.

The events to mark the launch of the new line will include an outdoor ballet, a youth samba band, a piper at Picardy Place and a Guard of Honour from the High Constabulary of the Port of Leith at Pilrig Street.