9am Briefing: Mound tram works closure causes traffic chaos

COMMUTERS faced massive delays in the city centre this morning on the first day of tram works on The Mound.

Work to move the utilities under The Mound junction has seen traffic banned along Princes Street between Frederick Street and Hanover Street.

Bus passengers reported abandoning their journeys well short of Princes Street as the West End, Stockbridge and the bridges clogged up with traffic.

Services which pass through the busy junction are being diverted via George Street or Market Street and Waverley Bridge.

While general traffic is being redirected via Market Street, Waverley Bridge, St David Street and then George Street or Queen Street.

Full pedestrian access will be maintained during the project, which is expected to last until April next year.

HBoS shares plummet

SHARES in Halifax Bank of Scotland have plummeted amid speculation its Lloyds TSB takeover is under threat.

Prices fell yesterday, removing 1 billion from the value of the Edinburgh-based bank and prompting thoughts that any deal between the two organisations could end up being at a far lower than initially expected.

City tops green poll

EDINBURGH has come out top in a poll measuring the UK's greenest cities it was reported.

The Capital was also voted as having the best quality of life, but trails behind Glasgow for being the best city in which to locate a business to.

Senior executives were questioned for the survey, undertaken by estate adviser Cushman and Wakefield.