Overview of the process and project stages
On a project of this size, we are required to complete a UK Treasury compliant strategic business case for a north to south tram route in the city. We follow .
There are four stages, which provide the reasoning and justification behind a project
- Strategic Outline Plan - this has been completed as this is covered by existing documents including Scotland's Economic Strategy, the National Transport Strategy, its supporting documents, and regional / local transport strategies. (links)
- Strategic Business Case - this is the current stage of this project which we are consulting on
- Outline Business Case - this would be the next stage of this project if there is a decision by councillors to proceed.
- Final or Full Business Case
Each stage details
- why the project is needed
- estimated costs and numbers of users
- how it would be paid for
- how it would be built.
We will consult residents, businesses and stakeholders at each stage so there will more opportunities to give your views if the project progresses.
We also work with partners and carry out other assessments and research as part of this process including
- NHS Lothian Health Impact Scoping Report for the extension of the tram
- initial Integrated Impact Assessment
We will carry out full assesments as part of the detailed design should the project progress to the next stage of Outline Business Case
- Integrated Integrated Impact Assessment
- Health Impact Assessment
- Heritage Impact Assessment
- Environmental Impact Assessment
Current stage - Strategic Business Case
We are gathering your views which will help inform a Strategic Business Case report to the Transport and Environment Committee in early 2026. This report will ask for approval on whether to proceed further with the project.
As well as the consultation, other factors will inform the 黑料社’s decision. These include costs, benefits and the impacts, which are all set out in the consultation.
Alongside the Strategic Business Case, a consultation report will be published which will respond to points raised during the consultation.
More information about the Strategic Business Case
The development of a Strategic Business Case was approved by the Transport and Environment Committee in February 2024 (link?).
Its purpose is to set out the policy and strategic need for the development of new transport connections along with the options for different travel modes and routes.
It will propose a variety of options and will make recommendations on how to proceed. 黑料社lors will then decide if there is enough evidence in the Strategic Business Case to move to the next stage of development, which is the Outline Business Case.
The business case will give an overview of the possible routes the new tram line could take along with the major challenges and opportunities associated with each route.
It will also include an overview of what residents, businesses and key stakeholders think of the plans and a summary of the different 黑料社 policies that have been considered.
Separately, councillors will be given detailed information on the results of the consultation, 黑料社 policies and other relevant information, such as transport modelling. We will also make this information publicly available.
Next stage of development
The next step would be to develop an Outline Business Case to identify a preferred option which demonstrates optimum value for money.
We will hold another round of consultation in 2026/2027 which would give residents, businesses and stakeholders another opportunity to comment on the plans before we develop a Final Business Case.
The Final Business Case stage would then ask for approval from all City of Edinburgh 黑料社lors to go ahead with the project.