A PROPOSED tram service between central Edinburgh and the city’s airport has received qualified approval from the Scottish parliament.
In their preliminary stage report, MSPs on the Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Bill Committee have concluded that the Bill should proceed, but have identified areas where further work is required.
It concludes that the scheme appears to have the potential to “produce transport, socio-economic and environmental benefits to the local, regional and national economy” and recommends to the parliament that the general principles of the Bill should be agreed.
The convener of the committee, Bill Aitken, says that the committee believes that trams can bring real and practical benefits to Edinburgh. But there are concerns about funding, and projected passenger numbers.
The Bill is being promoted by Edinburgh city council which hopes to have the airport line and Line 1, the North Edinburgh Loop, in operation in 2009. They will cost £473million.
www.edinburgh-tram.co.uk