New trams will debut in 2011 in Edinburgh, Scotland

Watch out if you’re headed to Edinburgh, Scotland. Even though the crowds and parking problems of the city’s big summer festival may be over (as of last month), the Scottish capital is still a grid-locked maze of closed streets and detours.

That’s because the city is building a massive electric tram system, costing about $1 billion, which is scheduled for completion in July 2011.

The tram system will feature three lines — north, west and south — centered at Haymarket. The western line will link Edinburgh Airport to tourist sites in the city center, including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and the Royal Mile.

Modern, efficient and pollution-free, the trams are expected to vastly improve transportation in a city now dependent on buses. But until they’re in place, navigating downtown Edinburgh by car is only for the brave, or the nuts.

Click tramtime.com for more information.

– Susan Spano, Los Angeles Times staff writer

[Photo: Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times]

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 3:00 pm by Susan Spano and is filed under Europe, Great Britain. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.