As 2008 gets underway the tram momentum increases with construction moving in to the heart of the city centre.

The main utility diversions will begin next month but to facilitate these, enabling work has to be completed first. It is this preparation work which has already begun in areas such as Princes Street and St Andrews Square but will also shortly start in Charlotte Square, Hope Street and Frederick Street. Once the enabling work is completed, phase 1 of the construction (utility diversion) works can commence.

Phase 1 includes the closure of Shandwick Place to all traffic. The closure will be from Manor Place to the Lothian Road junction and will be for a period of 19 weeks. During the same period diversions of other utilities will be progressing along the East bound carriageway of Princes Street from Frederick Street westwards.

Simultaneously, work to divert BT services will be taking place in St Andrews Square for a period of up to 16 weeks.

Bus diversions
In addition to the closure of Shandwick Place there will be major restrictions on the current traffic flow at the west end junction. Therefore westbound buses from Gorgie, Dalry, Corstorphine and the A8 will be diverted along Manor Place, Melville Street, Queensferry Street, Charlotte Square, South Charlotte Street and on to Princes Street.

Buses to and from the A90 will be routed via Hope Street, Charlotte Square on to George Street and will re-join Princes Street by going down Frederick Street. Buses travelling west bound towards the A8, Dalry and Gorgie will be diverted via Lothian Road, Western Approach Road and then on to Morrison Street Link which will take them out at Haymarket.

General traffic diversions
However, general traffic from Haymarket travelling to the north side of Princes Street will be diverted via Manor Place, Melville Street, Queensferry Street, Randolph Crescent, Great Stuart Street, St Colme Street on to Queen Street.

General traffic going to the south side of Princes Street will be diverted via Morrison Street Link and the Western Approach Road where it will join Lothian Road and from there then travel north or south.

Phase 2 construction
Phase 2 of the city centre construction will commence on completion of the key diversionary works at the West end of Princes Street at Lothian road junction. This is programmed to start mid April. The plan is to achieve all of the above prior to the start of the Festival in August 2008.

Leith Walk utility diversions
In addition to the city centre works there will be utility diversions taking place along Leith Walk from Balfour Street to the Foot of the Walk. Balfour Street will be closed for a period of two weeks but access to the street will be maintained via Cambridge Avenue.
Two way traffic will be maintained along Leith Walk in both directions.
For more information on the diversions please telephone: 0131 623 8726

Works start
Now that trams have been given the green light to proceed it is full steam ahead to bring this exciting and innovative transport option to Edinburgh. Preparatory work on diverting utility cables and wires from beneath the road surfaces has begun at Ocean Drive in Leith. The work will last approximately 9 weeks. Leith Walk will be next, with work commencing there on Monday 6th August.

Trams get the go-ahead!
Wednesday 27th of June was a milestone day for the City of Edinburgh. The long awaited decision on bringing new and modern trams to Edinburgh's streets was finally taken. The go-ahead has been given, to progress with this exciting project. Following a long debate on trams and EARL (Edinburgh Airport Rail Link) the Parliament voted 81-47 in favour. The SNP Government then agreed to accept the will of Parliament to let the trams proceed.

This good news follows the recent Audit Scotland review which also gave trams a green light to go ahead. The report highlighted that the tram initiative showed a clear corporate governance structure, sound financial management and reporting and good risk management procedures amongst many other positive elements.

As a result of this recent decision, the preparatory work on diverting utility pipes can commence.

To read the Council statement on the Scottish Parliament decision on trams click here.

Audit Scotland report
The Scottish Executive has asked Audit Scotland to produce a report on the status of the Edinburgh tram and Edinburgh Airport Rail Link projects. Cabinet Secretary for Finance John Swinney has asked the Auditor General Robert Black if he could bring forward part of a planned Audit Scotland report on major capital projects in order to look at these specific projects.

Cllr Phil Wheeler, Executive Member for Transport, The City of Edinburgh Council said: 'This review will help in formulating a prompt decision to end this period of uncertainty. It should provide the evidence and confidence for both politicians and the public to endorse the project going ahead. I am confident that the project has a rigorous governance and management structure which ensures there is a tight grip on processes, costs and potential risks. Staff involved and contractors under consideration have UK and world-wide experience in delivering high quality light rail systems on time and budget.'

The report is scheduled to be published by the end of June.

Business support
Support for trams is continuing to grow, especially among the Edinburgh business community who recognise the need and benefits that a modern, fast and efficient transport system will bring to Edinburgh.

Members of the Edinburgh Business Assembly (EBA), along with both the Edinburgh and Scottish Chambers of Commerce, strongly believe that the introduction of trams is vital to help achieve the First Minister’s stated ambitions for Scotland’s future. During a speech made in the Scottish Parliament on 24th May 2007, he said: ‘The overarching priority of the Government is a faster and more sustainable economic growth in Scotland … The health of the Scottish economy underpins all our priorities …. A vibrant dynamic economy is the beating heart of a successful confident nation.’

Read the full news release

Two bidders progress to final stage
The procurement process to manufacture and supply Edinburgh with modern tram vehicles has entered its final stage as the selection process focuses on two shortlisted bidders – Alstom and CAF.

Read the full news release and some earlier tram releases at the trams for Edinburgh website

Scottish Minister’s release £60 million for tram works to start
On the 16th of March, Tavish Scott, the then Minister for Transport announced the release of £60 million to enable utility diversion work to start along the tram route thus preparing the ground for the laying tram tracks in the future.

Read the full news release

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