Successful safety review ahead of first trams to Newhaven

23 Jun 2023

The organisation responsible for driving light rail safety has praised the work of the Edinburgh Trams team following the successful launch of passenger services on a new route earlier this month.

The Light Rail Safety Standards Board has worked closely with the tramway operator to assess its readiness for the first trams to Newhaven.

It found that the operational team was well prepared for the launch, with all the relevant safety management system processes and risk assessments correctly reviewed, assessed and updated.

Meanwhile, all employees and contractors received sufficient materials, knowledge and training before any new systems were handed over to them.

Carl Williams, LRSSB Chief Executive, commented: “Over the past few months the Edinburgh Trams team has worked exceptionally hard to ensure services on the new line meet the very highest safety standards, and they should be proud of their achievements.

“Our Operational Readiness Review also found that the use of virtual reality technology has provided a comprehensive and inclusive tool for describing and tracking progress against a wider master programme. This approach provided a ‘proven’ process that has been used successfully on other network expansion projects.”

The £200 million Trams to Newhaven project included the creation of eight new tram stops, 2.9 miles of embedded twin track and two new substations with their associated switchgear and transformer rectifiers supplying the 750v line voltage.

A new overhead line and tensioning system, an interlocked semi-motorised scissors crossing turnback at the Newhaven terminus, and two additional manual turnbacks at Balfour St and Ocean were also highlighted in the report, together with new road junctions with associated signalling and crossings.

Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams Managing Director, commented: “We invited the LRSSB to carry out the review as safety has been of paramount importance throughout the entire project, and we are delighted that it found we had met all the expected safety standards and excelled in many areas.

“We would also like to thank the LRSSB for all the help its experts have provided to ensure the launch of the new route was as safe as it was successful.”