Thread by @mrdavidbol

We're almost set for @Edinburgh_CC's transport and environment committee. On the agenda today is the tram extension to Newhaven and the Open Streets/City Centre Transformation project. @EdinburghTories have drafted in Cllr Mowat and Cllr Whyte for the meeting.

Here's the latest take on the tram final business case. Worth pointing out that although councillors will vote on whether to back the plans today, it will still need the approval of the full council next month.
edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport…

There's already been a lot of discussion about the tram proposals, ahead of today's meeting.
edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/edinburgh…

Yesterday, Liberal Democrats said they will oppose the tram extension, along with the Conservatives who have opposed the project for some time.
edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport…

Community councillors are about to have their say on the tram proposals.

Harald Tobermann from Community Councils Together on Trams, tells councillors the group is a "critical friend on the project".

Mr Tobermann adds that "we get the public transport case that fits into the bigger picture of a city like Edinburgh." But he warns there is no updated environmental cost-benefit case and asks for it to be "refreshed".

He says that a fully integrated ticket system is required to allow a "modal shift from car to tram" and that the group has "severe doubts" that this can be achieved.

Mr Tobermann says: "Traders are very, very worried. They have not been physically contacted by a person from the tram project. They are worried because of the uncertainty of what will happen."

He concludes by saying: "If done well, the tram project will be an important opportunity for our area and other areas. It will bring economic benefit and community councils will give qualified support for the project."

Community councillor Jennifer Marlborough is raising concerns about proposals for two roundabouts in Newhaven to be replaced by traffic lights at part of the tram extension.

Andrew Mackenzie from Leith Links Community Council says: "Constitution Street, just 12 metres wide in some parts, is too narrow for the tram." The Tram Act from the Scottish Government designates the route along Constitution Street."

Mr Mackenzie adds that Constitution Street could become a "sterile two-way tram corridor" and that the plans will "compromise public safety".

Charlotte Encombe from Leith Central Community Council says all 12 community councillors have "serious concerns about how the areas will be affected" and that design issues "should be resolved before it's given the green light".

She adds that Leith and Leith Walk is the "largest free park and ride in Edinburgh with good public transport links" and appeals for the project to be "as pain-free as possible for our residents", if approved.

Andrew Mackenzie adds: "It could be very beneficial and work very well. In this particular pinch point (Constitution Street), it's not a finished and acceptable design for folk on the ground."

Councillors are now being briefed on the tram final business case by officers.

Officers tell the committee there is a big need for the tram. They say: "We live in the fastest growing city in Scotland. The population is forecast to grow by 20% by 2039."

Officers say the council has been monitoring the Tram Inquiry, which is yet to report back its findings form the problem-hit first phase of the tram construction. They add: "We have been keeping a close eye on the inquiry" but warn "we are not pre-empting the outcome".

The capital costs of the project has risen from £165m to £207m - meaning every £1 spent will now bring in £1.40 of revenue.

If approved, the tram would open to passengers in the first quarter of 2023. The project is paid for by borrowing, paid back by future tram revenues - and a £20m dividend from Lothian Buses. There is also a £1.9m "cash flow challenge" which will be "replenished from reserves".

Officers say if the tram extension project didn't go ahead, and assuming Lothian Buses would allow the £20m dividend to be used for other purposes, £57.9m would be available from ticket sales on the existing line.

Officers says there will be "very little displacement" of traffic from Leith Walk to other streets once the extended line is open and say there was "extensive public consultation around the design" with "special provision around options for Constitution Street".

Cllr Cook says: "Without the Hardie Inquiry reporting, the council simply cannot say what the financial implications of this project to the tax-payers will be." Officers confirm they "don't know" what the financial implications of the inquiry findings would be to the project.

Cllr Bird asks for assurances the budget for the project can be kept to. Officers say: "Yes, we are confident that the project can be delivered in that £207.3m."

Officers are asked why the project is not waiting for the Hardie Inquiry to report back. Officer Hannah Ross says: "A delay to wait for the inquiry would cause difficulties in retaining the advisory team and contractors being told to wait could incur a cost to the council."

Cllr Mowat raises air pollution fears caused by displaced traffic, which officers say "will be minimal". She says: "We accept that air pollution will improve along the route. The concern is what about the 156,000 households that will be negatively impacted?"

Cllr Whyte asks about concerns Lothian Buses will be hampered by the tram extension. Officers say Lothian Buses have known about the tram extension plans for some time and that there are "limitations of buses as a mass transit system".

Cllr Burgess says: "Clearly the construction is going to be major change in how people can move about the area." Officers say a priority will be "responding to the needs of the local community".

Council tram officer Hannah Ross says a business support fund of £2.4m, will include support that is "tailored for the variety of businesses on Leith Walk". She adds: "We will ensure we leave the route in the state that we found it when we started."

We've now had so many questions to officers that councillors have forgotten which questions have already been asked.

Ms Ross says: "We would never have got it to this stage had it been a councillor's dream of what would be good for the city. I think there are very strong reasons why the council should do it, set against the backdrop of population growth."

Cllr Cook says that Lothian Buses could see "significant operational disruption". He adds: "A decision on the tram is a choice. The money could be spent on other priorities. This is not a case of tram or nothing - to claim so is simply false."

Lib Dem Cllr Gloyer raises Brexit risks. She says: "Where we are is an environment of huge uncertainty." She adds that if Lothian Buses can't pay the £20m, the council will have to "raid our reserves even further". She adds: "I don't believe we have got it right this time."

Green Cllr Booth calls for assurances for Lothian Buses. He says: "If that risk is realised, it could have really serious impacts.We need to treasure our bus services."

Cllr Booth adds: "Tram lines succeed in moving volumes of people and tackling congestion and emissions.Greens are convinced that this tram proposal will provide investment in the city, for the long term."

BREAKING: Councillors have agreed to refer the tram extension final business case to full council, recommended for approval, next month.

Transport convener, Cllr Macinnes, said: "This project is one of the most important things we can do for this city. The tram can be a major player in providing what the city requires. This is a process that has been done well."

March 14 is gearing up to be a big decision-making day for @Edinburgh_CC edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/transport…

Officers say air pollution levels "will get significantly worse unless we take action." They add: "If we change every single vehicle in the fleet, we would still have areas that would fail to meet the threshold. There's a need to address numbers, as well as quality."

Project director Daisy Narayanan is taking councillors through three appraisal scenarios - smart, local and connected. Connected could include "big investment"

Ms Narayanan says the Open Streets trial which is set to begin in May will be "the first tangible outcome from the City Centre Transformation project". The project will be "community-led" and the council should "be bold about experimenting".

She adds: "This is an opportunity for everyone to enjoy our medieval streets like they were meant to be enjoyed."

Cllr Arthur says: "There us some concerns this could impact on businesses. This is about bringing more people into the city centre and businesses should benefit from the footfall."

Cllr Arthur asks: "Should we perhaps be a bit bolder and so it every Sunday?" Ms Narayanan says: "We could see some of these streets potentially become permanent."

Place director Paul Lawrence says some parts of the city centre can be "very horrid and difficult places" for businesses and that Princes St is "going to continue to undergo fundamental change". He adds the council has to provide the "best possible environment for traders".

Ms Narayanan says that three options for Open Streets were considered including "large swathes of the city centre" in both the Old Town and New Town and an option including Princes Street was also discounted.

Cllr Gloyer says Cowgate and Lothian Road are "absolutely disastrous for pedestrians". She adds: "Would it be possible to come back with the detail of those (Open Streets) plans in May before we implement it? There are still some concerns we need to iron out a bit."

Cllr Bird says: "I think it's radical and we can be as radical as we want in this. That's what's so exciting about it. This is very inclusion-based. I think it's fundamentally important that we take communities with us."

BREAKING: Councillors have agreed to start the Open Streets events in May. Detailed plans will be brought to an emergency transport and environment committee on Tuesday