Hundreds object to traffic shake-up caused by trams

MORE than 400 objections have been raised against a major traffic shake-up in Edinburgh to make way for trams, The Scotsman has learned.

Dozens of new restrictions are proposed to ensure trams run smoothly, including a blanket ban on vehicles crossing tram tracks except at traffic lights.

Key junctions would be altered, with parking significantly reduced along parts of the 11.5-mile Edinburgh Airport-Newhaven line, which is due to open in two years' time.

More than half of the 426 objections were over a planned ban on right turns into and out of Blenheim Place, off London Road.

A further third of the objections related to the effects of increased traffic through the West End and New Town if the closure of Shandwick Place to cars is made permanent.

The remaining 7 per cent of objections were over parking restrictions.

The Blenheim Place restriction is aimed at preventing traffic queuing to turn right into the street from blocking a planned traffic light junction at London Road/Leith Walk, which will replace the current roundabout.

The city council has received 250 objections to the plan. A campaign group formed to oppose the move said it would restrict access to homes, hotels and churches in Royal Terrace and adjacent streets.

In the New Town, the car ban in Shandwick Place attracted 146 objections. Residents have claimed it has caused major increases in traffic on their streets as drivers seek an alternative east-west through route.

Roderick Millar, of Moray Place, said nearby Randolph Crescent and Ainslie Place were used by 2,000 cars an hour, and the streets appeared to have some of the worst air pollution in central Edinburgh.

Other changes, which have met with no formal opposition, include traffic flows in streets around Haymarket, in St Andrew Square and Leith Walk.

At Haymarket, Torphichen Place would change from having one-way to two-way traffic, while Canning Street would become one-way northbound for buses, taxis and cycles only.

However, previous proposals to ban cars from Grosvenor Street were shelved.

The last remaining car access to Princes Street, on the gardens side carriageway at night, would also be blocked.

The west side of St Andrew Square would become two-way for cars, while the east side becomes reserved mainly for trams and access traffic.

On Leith Walk, new traffic lights would be installed at the junctions with Dalmeny Street, Springfield Street/Smith's Place and Manderston Street. Many right turns would also be prohibited along Leith Walk.

The Institute of Advanced Motorists called for clear road signs to guide drivers, but doubted they would comply with some bans on right turns.

Policy and research director Neil Greig said: "The general ban on right turns across the tram at unsignalled junctions will almost certainly come as a surprise to most Edinburgh drivers. I can see the safety logic, but when there is no tram in sight the temptation to nip across will be high. The key will be good advance information, clear signposting and a certain latitude in the early days.

"Shandwick Place will now be closed to cars and that is bound to have a negative impact on the surrounding routes."

Councillors are due to consider the objections in July. There is no clear timescale when these traffic restrictions would be imposed if given the go-ahead.

City council transport convener Gordon Mackenzie said: "The number of objections has been less than we expected. However, there are still a number of issues that are of concern to the public. We are working through these and looking at whether there are any possible alternative solutions that ensure the tram can still meet its business case but have less of a burden on the local community."