Traders angry as barriers left during tram work embargo

Published on Wednesday 17 December 2008 08:54

TRADERS in Leith have hit out at a tram works embargo brought in to help small businesses in the run-up to Christmas after barriers were left in the road by contractors.

Tram firm TIE agreed to stop work across the city earlier this month to allow for businesses to have a festive period without disruption.

But shopkeepers in Leith Walk have complained that barriers have been left, which prevent members of the public from crossing the road.

TIE said the barriers on the Walk between Annandale Street and Brunswick Road, had to stay in place for health and safety reasons.

Gordon Burgess, chairman of the Leith Business Association, said: "We feel angry that the road has not been put back to the way it was before.

"The embargo is welcome – anything that helps bring business to the area is welcome.

"But this is just another incident in a long line of communication breakdowns between TIE and the traders, because we thought we were getting the road back to the way it was before the tram work started.

"We just have to put up with their way of doing things – it's the law according to TIE."

He added: "We have had positive meetings with TIE in the past and they have people in senior positions working hard, but the enormity of the job is something they have found difficult to manage. I would like to have seen them use traffic cones like they have done in Princes Street. I don't see why they could not have done that in Leith Walk."

A spokeswoman for TIE said: "The Edinburgh tram project meets weekly with Lothian and Borders Police, along with other key stakeholders, and the arrangements for pedestrian safety on Leith Walk have been approved and signed off by this group.

"These discussions take into consideration the number of historical pedestrian accidents in the area. In this instance, it was decided that the barrier should remain in place as an essential pedestrian health and safety measure, whilst allowing access to local shops."