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TramForward welcomes Edinburgh tram decision

Posted: 5 July 2011 | TramForward | No comments yet

TramForward, the campaigning arm of the Light Rail Transit Association welcomed the forward looking decision of Edinburgh Council…

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TramForward, the campaigning arm of the Light Rail Transit Association welcomed the forward looking decision of Edinburgh Council on the 30th June 2011 to continue with the construction of the 13.5km light rail line from the Airport to St Andrew’s Square.

The LRTA endorses the statement of Sue Bruce, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Council, that members were deciding on how Edinburgh was going to grow and develop in the future, and were recognising that a modern light rail system was a catalyst for inward investment, jobs, regeneration and cleaner air, as well as being more capable than an all-bus system of growing public transport patronage and reducing dependence on the motor car.

Successful cities such as Frankfurt and Karlsruhe power their light rail systems with electricity from hydro and solar energy and this would be a useful option for Edinburgh.

It is important to understand that in mainland Europe, new light rail and tramway construction projects do not bear the cost of utility modernisation or improvements to the highway to the extent that they do in the UK. These costs are treated as general improvements to the city’s infrastructure and are met from the budgets of other departments.

The Light Rail Transit Association is the world’s leading organisation campaigning for better public transport through tram, light rail and metro systems in our towns and cities for 70 years.

The Association has access to a wealth of information on tramway and light rail construction costs, and research into low cost track and vehicle construction, and is happy to share this with interested parties.

Its worldwide membership of professional and interest groups also supports the revitalisation of suburban and rural transport through the application of light rail. Through its monthly magazine, Tramways & Urban Transit, the LRTA disseminates a range of informative and technical articles on tram and light rail developments.

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