Drivers face ban from tram streets

TWO of Edinburgh's busiest streets could be closed to cars under plans being considered by city leaders.

As part of the blueprint for the new trams network, it is understood that Shandwick Place would only be open to trams, taxis and buses, while Constitution Street in Leith would be used only by trams.

The changes are part of a series of measures to be introduced around Edinburgh to allow the trams to have priority on the streets.

Traffic flow in some streets near to the line linking Newhaven to the airport is expected to increase by as much as 26 per cent, while other streets will see falls of as much as 35 per cent.

Business and motoring groups yesterday raised concerns that "rat runs" will emerge on the streets surrounding the tram corridor, while traders pointed to a botched city centre traffic management scheme in 2005 which saw stores lose thousands of pounds worth of business.

The tram company TIE will release the final design of the tram route in the autumn and said yesterday no decisions had been taken on what would happen to roads on the route.

Phil Wheeler, Edinburgh council's executive member for transport, said they were examining options to manage traffic around the route. "We are looking in detail at the traffic management arrangements which are necessary to accommodate the tram route," he said.

"The final arrangements are yet to be decided and the possibility of roads closures may be considered as one of several options to ensure the best solution is provided for the overall scheme and the city. Obviously alternative arrangements will be put in place to ensure all journeys, irrespective of mode, can continue to be made in an efficient manner."

Graham Russell, chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses in Edinburgh, voiced concerns about the impact of any road closures.

He said: "I was at a tram design consultation meeting recently with dozens of other people, where I was told Shandwick Place and Constitution Street would be closing to cars, so I think they are definitely considering it. Our worry is the impact on the businesses both in terms of access for deliveries and loss of custom."

Documents released by TIE have shown a fluctuating picture of how traffic will flow around the city centre after the trams are in place from 2012.

The projection shows a 26 per cent increase in traffic on George Street, but a 21 per cent fall in traffic at The Mound. Haymarket Terrace, where trams will enter a public transport interchange before heading off road along the Murrayfield rail corridor, shows a 19 per cent drop in traffic.

TIE has refused to say whether the traffic projections were based on Shandwick Place being closed, but said the figures were out of date and unreliable.

Willie Gallagher, chairman of TIE, said: "These figures are a snapshot in time, taken in November 2006. They have since been superseded as the tram design has moved on considerably in the seven months since that particular modelling exercise. It is therefore misleading to treat them as definitive, and redundant to be discussing them in July 2007.

"Our robust traffic modelling, done in conjunction with City of Edinburgh Council, is being carried out in tandem with the final design process and will be available for public consultation in due course."