Battle lines drawn as traders see red at latest tram blunder

Published on Friday 12 December 2008 09:13

WHEN it comes to the tram project, it doesn't take much for traders in Leith to see red.

But local shopkeepers were left with good reason to turn a shade of crimson after contractors took it upon themselves to paint new parking restrictions.

The red lines, which were painted on Croall Place and Haddington Place, were met with an angry response from local businesses when they appeared on the road this week.

But, 24 hours later, subcontractors working on behalf of the tram project were back to remove the offending restrictions.

Local businesses in Leith say they have seen a significant dip in trade as a result of the tram works, and were quick to hit out at the latest blunder.

Ray Withey, the owner of Borland's, a store selling electrical and sporting goods on Croall Place, said: "It was a case of now you see it, now you don't. One of the workers admitted to me that they didn't know what they were doing.

"The whole thing is a shambles."

Mr Withey said work had been taking place to restore the road to its original state for the festive embargo, when all tram work will be stopped in a bid to give traders a boost in the run-up to Christmas.

However, he said there had been confusion among tram workers as to what parking restrictions had existed before the digging began.

He added: "I've really had it up to my ears.

"It's stressing me out no end. They just do what they want and suit themselves."

Last month, local trader Gordon Burgess, who owns the Bed Shop on Leith Walk, took the law into his own hands when he used a tin of black paint to cover up double yellow lines outside his shop.

Mr Burgess, chairman of the Leith Business Association, used a roller to wipe out the lines, which he said had appeared "out of nowhere".

Commenting on the latest incident, he said: "These lines should never have been put down because they were never there in the first place. Surprise, surprise, it's another cock-up."

A spokesman for trams firm TIE said: "The Edinburgh Tram Project apologises for any inconvenience caused by the lines being put down in error.

"This was rectified as soon as the mistake became apparent."

The next phase of tram work on Leith Walk is due to involve narrowing pavements, removing lampposts and putting in temporary lighting, as well as building up a new road surface.