Edinburgh tram and bus collide in city centre

The incident took place just before 3pm on Shandwick Place, resulting in a significant hole in the side of the tram and damage to paintwork.

Other trams were forced to stop, causing congestion in the area.

The tram system, which opened in May this year, cost £770m and was badly-delayed.

Concern is now mounting about the number of accidents on the tram line as it passes through busy streets at the west end.

Grant McKeeman, who owns a business in Shandwick Place, said: “This area is horrendous for trams. You never stop hearing car horns and traffic beeping.

“We were here the whole time the tram work was going on. The last time there was a crash it took three hours to move it in rush hour traffic.”

One witness said: “There was a big smash and the bus was scratched right down to the back end.”

A tram and bus also collided at West Maitland Street in August after the driver of a First bus had to swerve to avoid a cyclist who “jumped” into his path from the pavement.

The collision sparked long delays for commuters, with tram services disrupted for nearly three hours.

There was another crash near the Shandwick Place stop in July. Witnesses said windows of the tram were smashed but no-one was injured.

A spokesman for Transport For Edinburgh said: “There were no injuries to passengers but there was some damage to both vehicles. Both tram and bus have been taken back to their respective depots for assessment.

“Tram services experienced delays of 15 minutes. The 44 bus service runs every ten minutes and passengers were able to take the next bus if required.”

City residents endured six years of obstruction as roads were closed for construction. Businesses complained of lost trade as areas such as Princes Street were closed for ten months.