Your views and the positive impact on the city
Trams will improve your quality of life.
Edinburgh tram facts - Trams are funded by £500 million from Transport Scotland and £45 million from the Council, which is made up of money from developers and sale of land – not from Council tax.
- Trams will be up and running in 2011.
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They offer:
- faster journey times
- less congestion, less pollution and noise
- a better integrated transport system
- comfort and accessibility.
Trams are good for Edinburgh because:
- better transport will attract new businesses
- trams will attract more visitors
- they connect Waterfront, Leith, Edinburgh Park and the airport with the city centre
- the link to the airport will benefit tourism and business
- trams are environmentally friendly.
Tram survey
A recent IPSOS MORI survey on trams revealed that:
- a tram system was chosen first, above and against 31 other options, to make Edinburgh a better place to travel
- 83 per cent are aware that the tram project is under construction
- 78 per cent say the impact of construction will make no real difference to how people travel around Edinburgh
- 76 per cent agree that an integrated system of trams and buses will improve public transport options.
The survey questioned 500 Edinburgh residents, as well as more than 1,000 people living within an hour of the city.
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Parking
There will be some changes to on-street parking in the city centre. Parking in George Street, Melville Street and other streets on or associated with the tramline and on alternative bus routes will be affected.
We will make arrangements to ensure there is enough permit parking for residents, who will be notified of these changes. Previously the parking bays in Melville Street and surrounding area were under used. So the loss of parking bays can be accommodated within the remaining spaces.
For visitors, the city centre also has many car parks – usually with plenty of spaces – such as at Greenside, St James Centre, Princes Exchange and Semple Street.