Traders blast crazy paving as crossing needs dug up again

Published on Wednesday 21 January 2009 08:44

TRADERS in the Grassmarket are facing yet more disruption because a new pelican crossing breaches disability laws by just a few centimetres.

It has emerged the crossing opposite fancy dress shop Costume Ha Ha fell foul of rules after the council decided to move it 20 metres closer to the Cowgate as part of the area's multi-million revamp.

It was intended to shorten the route from Candlemaker Row to Victoria Street and to improve accessibility to the Grassmarket, but the two new poles on either side, which hold the pelican crossing button, were later found to have been installed too close to the tactile paving, which has small bumps to aid blind and partially sighted people.

This breached the strict Disability Discrimination Act 2005 which states that there must be a 50cm gap between the poles and the edge of the paving to allow blind people determine how close they are to the pole and enable them to press the button.

Traders now face another two weeks of disruption as workmen dig up the paving to ensure it complies.

A spokesman for the city council explained: "On inspecting the crossing we've realised that the gap between the pole and the tactile paving is not compliant with the relevant regulation, and have requested that this be rectified by the contractor.

"We have to make corrections but the poles will remain as they are. In order to be compliant with the regulations, a row of tactile paving on each side of the road will be removed and replaced with standard paving."

He added: "This won't add to the cost of the Grassmarket project which remains within the 5.1 million budget."

Traders reacted angrily to the blunder.

Cathi Cowan, 55, a partner in Costume Ha Ha in the Grassmarket and Aha Ha Ha Jokes and Novelties on West Bow, said: "It's absolutely out of order.

"The council knew the law. I don't understand how after pedestrianising the entire area, they can't get the crossing right."

Her husband Bill Cowan, 55, the other partner in both shops, said: "At the moment all the people, including blind people, have got to do a chicken run across the road because the lights don't work.

"I think it's absurd that they can't turn the lights on.

"Safety is certainly being compromised."

Work on correcting the crossing started yesterday and is expected to be completed within a fortnight.

Meanwhile, grit blasting work got under way last week to remove surplus grout and cement around the cobbles in the Grassmarket.

The work, which started last week, should be finished by February 12.