Stop the extension of trams in Edinburgh
The Issue
In July 2026 a fire on Princes Street halted tram services from Edinburgh to Leith and Newhaven for over a month. During this period, residents of Leith and Newhaven experienced constant travel disruptions, with buses unbearably overcrowded and often unavailable due to the influx of stranded tram passengers. Today, yet again, tram services in Leith and Newhaven have been suspended due to a technical fault, reigniting these same issues.
The inability of trams to divert like buses poses a critical reliability challenge. Every time there's a disruption, residents are left with no alternative but to endure these packed conditions—or worse, be left behind altogether. Buses, with their adaptable routes, provide a more flexible and immediate solution in such situations, allowing for the necessary responsiveness to unexpected events.
Edinburgh's tram extension plan, aiming to expand further into areas already struggling with service reliability, needs urgent reevaluation. We are calling on the Edinburgh City Council to halt any plans to extend the tram system until a comprehensive review of current issues and alternatives is conducted.
Instead of extending the tram network, resources should be directed towards enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the existing public transport system. Improvements to the bus network, such as increased services during peak disruptions and investing in new bus technologies, would offer viable alternatives without disproportionately affecting commuters.
The council must prioritize investments that ensure the resilience and flexibility of the entire public transport infrastructure. This approach will support better congestion management, reduce reliance on any single mode of transport, and ultimately provide a more reliable service to Edinburgh's residents.
We urge everyone affected by these service interruptions and those concerned about sensible urban development strategies to join us. Help us send a clear message to the authorities: Focus on practical solutions, not ineffective expansions.
Sign this petition today and help ensure that Edinburgh's transport future is reliable, efficient, and adaptable.
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The Issue
In July 2026 a fire on Princes Street halted tram services from Edinburgh to Leith and Newhaven for over a month. During this period, residents of Leith and Newhaven experienced constant travel disruptions, with buses unbearably overcrowded and often unavailable due to the influx of stranded tram passengers. Today, yet again, tram services in Leith and Newhaven have been suspended due to a technical fault, reigniting these same issues.
The inability of trams to divert like buses poses a critical reliability challenge. Every time there's a disruption, residents are left with no alternative but to endure these packed conditions—or worse, be left behind altogether. Buses, with their adaptable routes, provide a more flexible and immediate solution in such situations, allowing for the necessary responsiveness to unexpected events.
Edinburgh's tram extension plan, aiming to expand further into areas already struggling with service reliability, needs urgent reevaluation. We are calling on the Edinburgh City Council to halt any plans to extend the tram system until a comprehensive review of current issues and alternatives is conducted.
Instead of extending the tram network, resources should be directed towards enhancing the efficiency and capacity of the existing public transport system. Improvements to the bus network, such as increased services during peak disruptions and investing in new bus technologies, would offer viable alternatives without disproportionately affecting commuters.
The council must prioritize investments that ensure the resilience and flexibility of the entire public transport infrastructure. This approach will support better congestion management, reduce reliance on any single mode of transport, and ultimately provide a more reliable service to Edinburgh's residents.
We urge everyone affected by these service interruptions and those concerned about sensible urban development strategies to join us. Help us send a clear message to the authorities: Focus on practical solutions, not ineffective expansions.
Sign this petition today and help ensure that Edinburgh's transport future is reliable, efficient, and adaptable.
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Petition created on 3 September 2026