Leith Walk tram works slow down in boost for business

Published on Thursday 9 July 2009 09:52

TRAM chiefs have agreed to spend more time on the next phase of work on Leith Walk in a bid to limit disruption for local residents and businesses.

Tram firm TIE said it had rejected the option of a "short, sharp shock" which would see infrastructure work completed more quickly, but with more pressure put on local residents.

Now it could take up to another two years for the job to be completed.

The agreement relates to the laying of tram tracks, which is due to begin later this year once utility diversions are finished.

Leith has been one of the areas worst hit by the first phase of the project, which has seen thousands of feet of underground cables and pipes diverted away from the route of the tram line.

During a meeting yesterday, the TIE board rejected a plan to complete the work in a shorter time frame by closing streets and limiting access to work sites.

Instead, transport chiefs went with original proposals to take more time with the so-called InfraCo works, lessening the impact on locals.

The tram project's Gordon Christie said: "It is recognised that the community of Leith Walk have already had a lengthy period of disruption and any future works must be carried out in such a manner that the needs of the community are listened to and built in to how the work is carried out.

"Two options on how the next stage of the tram works could be carried out in Leith Walk were discussed with the Leith Business Association last week.

"The first option was the proposal presented to the association last year.

"The second option was a method that may reduce the time to carry out the works. The board of TIE agreed to proceed with the original proposal."

The Leith Business Association, which has waged a long campaign over the impact of the tram works, said it was in favour of work continuing for another two years rather than running the risk of large numbers of shops going out of business.

Association chairman Gordon Burgess said: "This work is already running way behind schedule and I'd be amazed if it is finished in two years' time.

"The option of trying to get the work finished quicker has been a non-starter for businesses because many of them just wouldn't have been able to get access at all."

Local traders said a shutdown of the street would have driven many shops out of business.

Bob Baird, owner of Harburn Hobbies, said: "I've heard that huge numbers of businesses had to shut in Sheffield when they introduced trams there because a whole street was virtually closed.

"You just couldn't make Leith Walk one-way for traffic, it has to remain open for people."