New trams work is one-way to chaos

Published on Friday 27 June 2008 11:19

MOTORISTS have been warned to brace themselves for fresh delays as Leith Walk is to be made a one-way street on Monday as part of ongoing tram works.

The temporary move means traffic will be able to travel southbound on Leith Walk, but northbound vehicles will be diverted on to Easter Road.

The two-week project – which will allow engineers to divert utility services that cross the road rather than run along its length – will affect a section of Leith Walk between Dalmeny Street and Manderston Street. Tram firm TIE has brought forward the work to fit with the city's traditional trades holidays.

But this means the Leith Walk changes will be in place at the same time as an existing one-way system in place on Duke Street to accommodate utility work on Constitution Street. Bus and tram chiefs said efforts would be made to minimise delay.

But Alan Rudland, vice-chairman of the Leith Walk and Constitution Street Traders Association, said the one-way system would be another tough test for businesses in Leith.

He said: "We will lose half our passing trade with the road going down to one-way, and Easter Road is going to have half of the Leith Walk traffic as well as its own to contend with. "

Leith Walk has been one of the worst-affected streets during work on the 512 million tram line, with traders claiming they are losing thousand of pounds of business due to the disruption.

Bill Campbell, operations director for Lothian Buses, said: "Many of our bus services currently use Leith Walk and we also operate services on Easter Road.

"A closure of Leith Walk in either direction is bound to cause some disruption.

"We are, however, confident that with careful diversion planning, as has been achieved with the closure of Shandwick Place, we can minimise these delays."

In a bid to boost the flagging fortunes of businesses along Leith Walk, council officials are considering creating free parking spaces on council-owned land along the trams route.

Land at the former Leith tram garage and Leith Waterworld – both off Leith Walk near Manderston Street – are both under consideration.

Willie Gallagher, executive chairman of TIE, said: "The team have developed a programme that will ensure swift completion and keep disruption to a minimum.

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There will be no change for pedestrian access to Leith Walk during the work, and parking and loading arrangements will be unchanged.