Tag: transport

BusinessCar Green Fleet award for Edinburgh College

Edinburgh College — which added two Nissan e-NV200s to its expanding fleet in March — has been awarded the Green Fleet of the Year title at the BusinessCar Awards. Beating off stiff competition from four other nominees, Edinburgh College were crowned champions at a glittering ceremony at London’s Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel. Continue reading BusinessCar Green Fleet award for Edinburgh College

Making the case for trams to Newhaven

This article by city council Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes was published in the Edinburgh Evening News last week:

Last week Edinburgh’s councillors approved the Outline Business Case for taking the tram to Newhaven, signalling a desire to move towards a transformed vision for transport in the Capital. Continue reading Making the case for trams to Newhaven

Lothian to introduce first all-electric buses to Edinburgh

Transport minister announces another £1.4 million for green public transport initiatives

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf (above) announced the details of this latest round of funding for public bus services during a visit to Lothian Buses Annandale depot this week. It was an opportunity for the Minister to see Lothian’s new all-electric vehicles which take to the roads this weekend. Continue reading Lothian to introduce first all-electric buses to Edinburgh

Next stop Newhaven: councillors back tram line extension

The Outline Business Case (OBC) for taking trams to Newhaven has been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council. The OBC has been scrutinised by members of all political groups on the Council over recent weeks and gained approval from the Transport and Environment Committee earlier this month.  Continue reading Next stop Newhaven: councillors back tram line extension

Green light for Edinburgh active travel projects

Two innovative City of Edinburgh Council active travel projects have been awarded millions of pounds in funding, it was announced yesterday. The West Edinburgh Active Travel Network and Meadows to George Street proposals were among five Scottish schemes named as winners of the Sustrans Scotland Community Links PLUS funding by Transport Minister Humza Yousaf at a ceremony in Glasgow.  Continue reading Green light for Edinburgh active travel projects

Queensferry Crossing proves just too popular

Demand for the Queensferry Crossing has been ‘unprecedented’ since it came into operation in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The new bridge became fully open to traffic just before 3am, when Police Scotland redirected the first drivers from the Forth Road Bridge. Early indications are that traffic will be just as heavy today so drivers are being urged to allow adequate time for their journeys.

As predicted, given the novelty of the bridge, traffic was exceptionally busy with many people looking to experience it for the first time.  Peak traffic began earlier than usual yesterday from around 6am and continued throughout the day, with drivers experiencing lengthy delays..

Economy Secretary Keith Brown said: “With the opening of the Queensferry Crossing, we are seeing the culmination of the biggest infrastructure project that Scotland has seen for a generation.

“The Scottish people have been so engaged with it at every step of its development.  It is a fantastic structure and the weather this morning proved a perfect backdrop for all those who wanted to be a part of this historic day.  This is leading to large volumes of traffic on the approaches which is causing some delays.

“People are very excited about this opportunity and we appreciate the patience that they are showing when waiting to cross.  We would ask drivers wishing to use the new Crossing to leave plenty of time for their journeys and to check the Traffic Scotland Twitter feed and website for the latest information on journey times before they set-off.”

Speaking yesterday afternoon, Traffic Scotland Operator Manager Stein Connelly said: “It has been a busy day at The National Traffic Control Centre with the opening of the new crossing and drivers experiencing the road layout for the first time.

“The bridge itself is free flowing but there are delays on the approach roads  –  mainly down to the volume of traffic looking to cross the new bridge. We expect this to continue into the evening and would strongly urge people to check the latest travel situation before they set off on their journey and to leave plenty of extra time.

“We are looking forward to a really busy time with the celebratory events in the next few days.  We are encouraging people to really think about their travel plans and to avoid the area if they can at the weekend and at the beginning of next week.  Traffic will switch back onto the Forth Road Bridge on Friday for the these opening events and road users should check  The Forth Bridges website for all of the details.”

All road traffic will use the Queensferry Crossing again today with the Forth Road Bridge open to cyclists and pedestrians only.

All traffic will use the Forth Bridge from tomorrow (Friday 1st September) until Wednesday 6 September to allow for the Queensferry Crossing opening celebrations. The new Queensferry Crossing will re-open to all traffic on 7 Septembe, and from this date the Forth Road Bridge will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians only, while roadworks to the north are completed.

Delays are already being reported on the approaches to the Queensferry Crossing this morning, and motorists are advised to allow plenty of time for their journeys.

 

 

Taking the tram to Newhaven?

City council publishes £165.2 million business case to extend tram line to Leith and Newhaven

The Outline Business Case (OBC) for taking Edinburgh’s tram service down to Leith and Newhaven has been published. The news will not be met with unrestrained joy: the proposed tram line extension would see Leith Walk cut down to just ONE LANE for eighteen months if the £165.2 million project is approved. Continue reading Taking the tram to Newhaven?