Tram works row: 'TIE's PR exercise hasn't penetrated the hard hats'

THE farcical scenes witnessed on Leith Walk yesterday demonstrate just how high tensions are running in parts of the city over the ongoing tram works.

It is now almost eighteen months since preparatory works began on laying the lines and those in the worst affected areas are clearly beginning to run out of patience. But it was with a sense of humour – albeit it ironic – that traders in Leith Walk decided to throw a birthday party for a crater outside their premises that was dug exactly a year ago. Like any party they put up some balloons and ordered a cake to celebrate the milestone. But clearly not everyone was in the party mood and contractors working on the site decided to gatecrash the event, bursting the balloons and ripping down banners, which resulted in an altercation and the arrival of the police. To say the least the party-poopers' reaction to what was just a bit of pointed fun was unnecessary. TIE's extensive public relations exercise clearly hasn't penetrated the hard hats.

It is easy to sympathise with businesses whose trade is suffering as a result of the disruption brought about by the works. It was no secret that there would be a considerable period of pain to go through before trams brought the benefits we expect of them. But those on the likes of Leith Walk, Shandwick Place and Constitution Street have felt this more than most. A survey by the Small Business Federation reveals that most businesses near the works say trade has dropped dramatically. And there has been resentment from many traders that the several thousands pounds being paid out in compensation to those worst affected goes nowhere near to making up their losses. Businesses have already gone to the wall and with the country in the grips of what is likely to be a long and severe economic downturn it can be expected that others will follow in the months and years before the system is fully operational.

While all failures cannot be laid entirely at the door of the construction works in many cases they will have been a substantial contributing factor. Those experiencing difficulties through no fault of their own deserve some empathy, not the ridicule and aggression witnessed yesterday.

At least TIE boss Willie Gallagher and council leader Jenny Dawe had the courage to publicly apologise for the chaos on Princes Street which brought the city to a standstill last week and to postpone the work. At the same time as events were unfolding in Leith Walk a summit was being held to ensure that when the works begin again there is no repeat of the disruption.

But it may be that more radical solutions are found and that might include working throughout the night so that rush-hour gridlock can be avoided. Setting up more monitoring groups is only likely to lead to further delays.