tbtc
Veteran Member
That would be a much more sensible option, but of course common sense is always left out of the planning!
Was there similar levels of project disapproval in Sheffield? I have read stories of angry local traders and disruption, and of course about the infamous ticketing issues
Sheffield made a few mistakes, though (to be fair) the Manchester system was only opened once Sheffield was being built, so we didn't have anything to "learn" from
Hillsborough was a mess of roadworks for a long time, despite the trams not opening for a long time, a bit like Leith. Local shops were up in arms about things, a lot of independent places closed...
The other big problem in Sheffield was the lack of bus integration, meaning a long period of competition between tram and bus (rectified since Stagecoach run both modes of transport now). At least Edinburgh wouldn't have this problem, so should be more similar to Nottingham (where local buses are designed to compliment the tram, not compete directly against).
I honestly think that if/when the Edinburgh system is up and running it'll work fine, it'd become the default way to get to the places it serves, it'd link in with the trains and buses, it'd be a success. BUT, will it ever get that far?
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I hesitate to agree.
I'm possibly the only poster on here to have travelled through Edinburgh extensively by tram (the old ones!); meanwhile the world has moved on dramatically since then, but surprisingly, much of Edin's road network and useage has not. There are aspects of the full tram proposals which I doubted, many which I felt confident would work - and I still do.
But is it?
I received the promotional releases of 'Visit Scotland's TV ads recently, and had to reply that they ought to send a copy to Transport Scotland, because of how difficult it is to actually visit Scotland.
[No GARL, No EARL, No continuous dual carriageway on A1, loss of EC trains to Glasgow, lack of car Parking in Edin. etc.]. My reply was very sympathetic!
The lack of ECML train services only really affects London though (and Peterborough on some trips), since XC are replacing them on a "train for train" basis. Plus, the loadings on East Coast services into Glasgow are hardly over double figures for a nine coach train.
The A1 is an issue (having been up it last week), though this is as much of an English problem (Morpeth - Berwick), can't argue there.