We’ve recently seen how Edinburgh Trams is able to move large crowds in short periods of time to events at Murrayfield Stadium (Taylor Swift we’re talking about you!) and they look set to be able to showcase that again in the future after plans for the construction of a new arena at Edinburgh Park were approved by Councillors.
Due to be completed by 2027 the venue, to be run by AEG Europe who were involved in those Taylor Swift concerts, will have capacity for 8,500 people standing and 6,500 standing and will be Edinburgh’s only purpose built arena of this sort. Its planned that it will eventually hold 150 events a year.
As no parking will be provided as part of the development (there is said to be ample parking in the area which can be used) public transport is set to provide a key link for attendees to concerts and sporting events at the arena. In their planning submission the promoters said that expect 28% of people to arrive by tram with a further 22% coming via bus and tram park and ride sites across the region. A further 24% will come by bus, 11% by train and the remaining 15% by private car.
There had been some concerns from Councillors over the development and access to it but these were allayed during discussions and it unanimously approved.
To be located at Edinburgh Park the venue will be closed to tramstops on the original Airport line as well as a railway station linked to central Edinburgh.