Transport chiefs probe danger to pedestrians after near misses at tram sites

Published on Thursday 9 April 2009 10:05

TRANSPORT bosses are to carry out safety checks of "danger points" around the tram works in the city centre after concerns were raised about a number of near misses involving pedestrians.

A panel made up of representatives of the council, the police and tram firm TIE will review several sites, including those in and around Leith Walk, after locals complained of confusing changes to the layout of junctions.

The move comes just months after three pedestrians were knocked down in Princes Street after temporary traffic management measures were brought in ahead of the street's full closure.

Leith and North Edinburgh MP Mark Lazarowicz, whose constituency office is just off Leith Walk, said he had personally witnessed a number of near collisions on the street. Now the council's transport leader, Phil Wheeler, has confirmed that members of the city's traffic management review panel will meet to tour the sites giving cause for concern.

Mr Lazarowicz said: "I raised this issue as a number of local residents came to me with their worries about pedestrian safety at a number of locations in Leith Walk and around the York Place/St Andrew Square area. I think their concerns were very well founded.

"My view is that there is a problem in the way that the pedestrian paths through the tram works change regularly. This can cause confusion to those who are not up to speed with the changes and don't realise that pedestrian routes or traffic flows have changed. I think the elderly and children are particularly vulnerable."

He added: "I have seen for myself a number of near misses where older people or children have clearly not fully appreciated the changes at a particular location and have only just avoided walking out in front of heavy moving traffic."

Mr Lazarowicz urged the council to carry out a full safety audit and said he would visit the sites in questions with a representative of TIE.

Councillor Phil Wheeler said: "All of our traffic management systems are approved by the police on behalf of all emergency services.

"We have, however, arranged to meet with Mark Lazarowicz to walk the route and discuss his concerns further."

In December, traders in Leith hit out at tram bosses after barriers were left in the road by contractors during the festive works embargo.

Shopkeepers in Leith Walk complained that the barriers prevented members of the public from crossing the road and slowed down trade in the run-up to Christmas.

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