A team of civil engineering students from Heriot-Watt University is advocating for the reopening of Edinburgh's South Suburban Line, a rail route that served the city's southern neighbourhoods for over a century before closing in 1962. Their proposal hinges on the use of tram-trains, a light rail vehicle that can operate on both tram tracks and mainline railways. 

Community Support and Project Goals

The students have garnered significant community backing for their initiative, with their online petition attracting nearly 1,500 signatures within a week. A public survey conducted by the team revealed strong local support for the project. 

They believe that reopening the South Suburban Line, coupled with the tram-train system, would offer several advantages:

• Reduced reliance on cars: By providing a convenient and reliable public transport option, the project aims to encourage residents to leave their cars at home, contributing to Edinburgh City Council's target of a 30% reduction in car miles traveled by 2030.

• Improved connectivity: The line would connect key neighbourhoods in the city's south, including Craiglockhart, Morningside, and Brunstane, to the city centre and other areas. 

• Potential expansion: The students envision a future phase extending the line from Portobello to Leith, further expanding the public transport network. 


• Reduced environmental impact: Tram-trains are a low-carbon alternative to traditional diesel trains, aligning with Edinburgh's climate goals.

• Alleviated pressure on existing stations: The project could help reduce congestion at Edinburgh's two busiest railway stations, Waverley and Haymarket. 

Addressing Challenges and Building Support

Previous efforts to reopen the line were hampered by the high costs associated with increasing station capacity. The students' solution proposes "discontinued electrification," a system where tram-trains would utilise battery power on certain sections and switch to overhead lines at designated points. This approach aims to reduce infrastructure upgrades and make the project more cost-effective.

The team is seeking to spark interest from relevant authorities, including the Scottish Government, Edinburgh City Council, and Network Rail. They hope their work will lead to a new feasibility study to assess the viability of their proposal, considering the significant developments in the area since the last study in 2008, which predated the introduction of trams in Edinburgh.

Council's Perspective and Public Engagement

Edinburgh City Council's Transport and Environmental Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson, expressed appreciation for the students' initiative and acknowledged the potential of the South Suburban Line. He emphasised the importance of an interconnected public transport system for the city's future and highlighted the ongoing development of the North-South tram route as a key element. He indicated openness to exploring how the South Suburban Line could integrate with other transport options.

The petition launched by the students is available on Change.org, allowing residents to voice their support for the project.

This student-led initiative presents a novel and potentially transformative approach to reviving Edinburgh's South Suburban Line and enhancing the city's public transport network. The proposal's focus on sustainability, community engagement, and addressing past challenges makes it a compelling case for further consideration.