Tram power cables driving us just Idlewild with rage

Published on Wednesday 23 September 2009 22:00

THE guitarist with rock band Idlewild is one of nine people being taken to court for refusing to allow tram wires to be fixed to their homes, The Scotsman has learned.

They are among 16 residents on the tram route fighting plans to attach the overhead power cable supports to buildings rather than to poles in the street.

Guitarist Rod Jones and four other flat owners in a building in Constitution Street, Leith, said the move would ruin their historic properties and incur extra mortgage fees if they sold their homes. They are among the first nine people being cited to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court next month. Similar proceedings are pending against four others. The other owners holding out are in Constitution Street and Shandwick Place.

The city council, which is taking the action to allow the work to go ahead, wants to avoid using poles to support the wires to reduce clutter on stretches of the tram route. These are between the dock gates in Constitution Street and the foot of Leith Walk, and between Haymarket and York Place in the city centre.

Nearly 380 other homeowners have agreed to the plans.

Jones, who has yet to be served with court papers because he has been away, described the legal action as "preposterous".

He said: "We were led to believe if we did not say yes to the plans they would put up a pole instead. The building has just had thousands of pounds spent on it to comply with Historic Scotland standards. We would also incur an extra mortgage fee if we sold our homes, but we don't see why we should be responsible for such costs."

Lorna Wharton, a neighbouring flat owner, said: "We adhere to Historic Scotland's guidelines to keep our grade A listed building preserved, for example by not fixing satellite dishes to it. That regulation seems to have been waived for the tram wires.

"The agreement to attach the fixings are also unacceptable in terms of access and a lengthy notice period should we need to make repairs to our building."

The council said it had powers to undertake the work under the tram legislation, and claimed the objections were invalid.

A spokesman said poles could not be used in Constitution Street because utility pipes and cables had been moved to under the pavement. He said owners would be fully informed of the work and the tram operator would be liable for any damage.