'Let's all celebrate' – Princes Street is finally freed from tramworks

Published on Sunday 29 November 2009 22:44

THE capital's main shopping street reopened to traffic yesterday for the first time in eight months following the completion of the latest phase of tramworks.

Buses and taxis have returned to Princes Street, Edinburgh, in time for the busy Christmas shopping period.

The reopening, scheduled for 5:30am, was delayed by two-and-a-half hours after torrential rain during Saturday night meant safety tests had to be postponed.

However, retailers and transport groups were delighted shoppers could once again easily access the street, which has been blocked off by large barriers since February to allow the laying of tram tracks from west of Waverley Bridge to South Charlotte Street.

Overhead power cables and tram stops still need to be put in, but a spokesman said Princes Street will not need to be closed for that stage of the works.

Buses, taxis and cyclists are allowed to use the street, but not cars – in line of the rules before the street closed in February.

Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "As the first physical on-street presence of the tram scheme, the track laying along Princes Street was a monumental phase in the project.

"There has been a major collaborative effort to work with the business community throughout the works.

"We listened when they said they wanted work to continue through August to ensure completion for the Christmas shopping period and I am pleased that this has been delivered."

Chief executive of Edinburgh Trams, Richard Jeffrey, said the opening of Princes Street marked a "very important milestone for everyone involved in the project and for the wider community as well".

"Installing the tramworks on Princes Street has been a journey of discovery in many senses including discovering uncharted underground structures, moving kilometres of complex utility pipes and cables, as well as setting in place an infrastructure which will support the growth of the city for years to come," he added.

Mr Jeffrey said he wanted to thank the public, retailers and businesses, and contractors who had worked through "appalling" weather to meet the deadline.

Lothian Buses operations director Bill Campbell said: "The re-opening of Princes Street in time for Christmas is the result of a superb team effort and is a welcome boost for everyone, just as the festive season kicks off."

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce chief executive Ron Hewitt thanked retailers and customers for their patience during the tramworks.

"We have no doubt that the benefits will come once we are able to open the network – meanwhile let's all celebrate the re-found easy access to Edinburgh city centre."