Council considers legal bid over Leith Walk works

Published on 04/07/2012 12:00

COUNCIL officials are considering taking legal action over tram works carried out on Leith Walk, it has been reported.

Traders are facing further disruption as work is carried out to fix utility diversions that were supposed to be completed ahead of track-laying – even though the tram line will no longer run past York Place. It is understood legal officers at the council have now been asked to explore if any action can be taken against Carillion, the utility firm that won the contract to divert underground pipes and cables along the 11-mile original tram route from Edinburgh to Newhaven Harbour.

Around £1 million is due to be spent employing a new contractor to repair faults and complete utility diversions on Leith Walk, mostly involving Scottish Water mains.

A senior council source said: “Councillors are aware that the utilities had not been done properly and we’re now looking at pursuing the people who did the original work.”