Forget tram chaos, just look at the nice napkin

Published on Monday 15 December 2008 09:05

TRAM bosses are set to put branded napkins in coffee shops and visit schools ahead of the eight-month closure of Princes Street.

The proposals are part of a charm offensive to win over opponents to the scheme and make sure the public knows Edinburgh remains open for business as work begins on laying the tracks.

Other measures include exhibiting a model tram in Princes Street Gardens and briefings for tourists and taxi drivers.

Council bosses, who say no budget has yet been set for the project, are keen to avoid a repeat of the public relations disaster that followed the botched closure of the Mound in October, which brought gridlock to the city centre.

Measures being considered include putting messages about planned roadworks on napkins and distributing them to cafes and restaurants in the city centre. A converted bus would also tour city primary schools to promote the scheme and warn youngsters of the dangers of playing next to the tram works.

A spokesman for the city council said "The council is committed to improving the flow of information to businesses affected by the works and to the wider public, increasing their understanding of the project and how it affects them. We'll also be reminding shoppers that Princes Street is still very much open for business."

But traders who have seen their business hit as a result of the works in Leith Walk poured scorn on the plans

Tony Crolla, manager of Vittoria's Restaurant on the street, said: "I would only use the napkins for toilet paper, I wouldn't give them to my customers.

"This is just a waste of money. They should spend the money on more workmen rather than funding PR companies. You only ever see a handful working at a time. The tramworks are bleeding businesses dry. They tell people we are open for business, but the problem is, customers can't get here."

And Gordon Burgess, owner of the Bed Shop and chairman of the Leith Business Association, said: "They're trying to win people over because they know damn fine that people are not happy about the project. It's making a complete mess of the streets.

"The money would be better spent getting the project finished on time, rather than winning people over – it's a gimmick."

The Evening News revealed at the weekend that transport chiefs are considering spending a six-figure sum on creating a radio station to guide drivers through traffic during the tram project.

Since the start of utility diversion work in July 2007, tram company TIE says it has visited local businesses, held information surgeries and produced a series of factsheets and newsletters to keep the public up-to-date.

There has also been 1.6 million of support available for those traders whose have suffered as a result of the works.