Capital given respite from tram works as dispute goes on

Traffic diversions around Haymarket and barriers across Leith Walk will be removed within weeks because the start of track-laying has been postponed, The Scotsman has learned.

Shandwick Place will also be reopened for westbound buses and taxis – removing a detour via the Western Approach Road.

The move will follow the long-delayed completion of preliminary work to move underground pipes and cables from the tram route, which should have finished at the end of 2008.

The restrictions were due to have remained in place during construction of the Edinburgh airport-Newhaven tram line, but this has been put on hold by a year-long dispute between city council owned tram developers TIE and a consortium of builders.

Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce welcomed the decision, which was agreed at a meeting yesterday involving TIE, city council officials and traders.

Deputy chief executive Graham Birse said: "This appears sensible and pragmatic under the circumstances. We would all prefer to be cracking on, but

it is absolutely essential for retailers and tourists that people are able to move around the city as freely as possible, and this makes all the difference to small businesses."

The easing of restrictions will mean eastbound traffic will once again be able to travel through Haymarket, ending a diversion for cars via Magdala Crescent and for buses via Rosebery Crescent. Barriers restricting pedestrian movement at Haymarket will also be removed.

On Leith Walk, barriers along the central reservation will be taken away, making it easier to cross the road between Picardy Place and London Road, and down to the Foot of the Walk at Constitution Street.

However, other traffic restrictions at Haymarket will remain, along with the current diversions at the west end of Princes Street between Lothian Road and Charlotte Square.

North and South St Andrew Street will also remain closed to traffic but there will be some alterations to barriers, particularly on the west of St Andrew Square.

A spokeswoman for TIE said: "Unless tram works begin in the next few days, traffic diversions will be removed, restrictions to loading and parking will be lifted and mass barriers will be dismantled in an effort to return the city to normal."

She said one month's notice would be given of the re-imposition of the restrictions before construction started.

TIE chief executive Richard Jeffrey said: "This decision has not been made lightly. However it is unacceptable the public in Edinburgh are disrupted unnecessarily, and these revised arrangements will at least give breathing space to motorists, public transport users, businesses and residents while negotiations with the consortium remain ongoing."