Roseburn Path: The battle over whether an old Edinburgh rail line should become a tram route

Roseburn Path: The battle over whether an old Edinburgh rail line should become a tram route

Campaign formed to save “nature network” in public consultation that also includes Orchard Brae corridor option

It must be one of Scotland’s most genteel cycle paths, peppered with signs asking riders to dip their lights and be mindful of walkers.

The Roseburn Path in the west of Edinburgh is part of a web of off-road routes through the capital which were created from former railway lines closed 60 years ago.

But the prospect of the iron road returning in the form of a tram line has ignited a campaign to save what supporters cherish as a “nature network”, which is adorned this month with lush vegetation, birdsong and the scent of wild garlic.

The City of Edinburgh Council is to seek views on whether a planned new north-south tram route between Granton and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and beyond should use the path or run along Orchard Brae to the east instead.

Council officials recommended the Roseburn option in February, but councillors decided to take a neutral stance pending the results of a public consultation later this year. The council stressed a path would be retained beside the tram line, but opponents questioned whether that would be either feasible, or attractive to users.

Backers of the Roseburn option argued that it will enable trams to run past the Western General, the city’s other major hospital, with reduced journey times by avoiding congested traffic corridors.

The route also has legislative approval from the Scottish Parliament in 2006 as part of a circular tram line, the northern half of which between Roseburn and Newhaven was later shelved. However, the Save the Roseburn Path campaign, which was formed to fight the new plans, described them as “complete nonsense”.