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On the day that Edinburgh’s tram system will carry its first passengers, Dr Richard Dixon, Director of Friends of the Earth Scotland, said:

“I have no doubt that Edinburgh’s trams will be very popular with residents and visitors alike. The City has an excellent bus service but there is something very special about trams which will attract people away from driving a car in a way that a bus never can. Trams are very efficient and produce zero emissions on the road so they will help reduce Edinburgh's climate change emissions and tackle the City’s air pollution problems.

“The trams have cost a small fortune but for only a little more they could go to Leith or even beyond. With a major facelift already planned for Leith Walk, Edinburgh would be crazy to miss the opportunity to complete a comprehensive tram system in the City.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

 

1. Recent research showed that over 200 people die each year in Edinburgh because of air pollution, mostly from traffic. http://www.foe-scotland.org.uk/node/1821

2. Friends of the Earth Scotland is:
* Scotland's leading environmental campaigning organisation
* An independent Scottish charity with a network of thousands of supporters and active local groups across Scotland
* Part of the largest grassroots environmental network in the world, uniting over 2 million supporters, 77 national member groups, and some 5,000 local activist groups.
www.foe-scotland.org.uk