Tram track laying and the construction of other tram infrastructure will begin on Princes Street early next year.

Edinburgh Councillors later today will make final decisions on traffic management. The recommendation is that Princes Street is temporarily closed to all traffic during the works. Tram works would be on-street until the end of July 2009 and suspended for the August Festival, and resume again in September 2009 until the end of October/November 2009.

This full road closure reflects the construction methodology that saw the tram utility works on Shandwick Place completed on time. This option is being recommended by Council officials, following careful planning and traffic modelling.

There has been significant consultation with city centre retailers, business leaders and other stakeholders who expressed a wish for the work to be carried out as quickly as possible.

-- Advertisement --

Enabling work on Princes Street will commence from Monday 5 January, with full work and diversions starting in February. This work will be quite different in appearance to the previous utility works, with progress very evident above ground. It includes excavations for the tram tracks and ducts; placing foundations for the overhead poles; preparation of the foundations of the tracks; laying and concreting of the tracks; and finally the reconstruction of the adjacent road.

The new Traffic Peer Review Group did also examine whether one westbound lane for buses should remain open on Princes Street, with no stops apart from at either end. Taking this option would mean that the tram works would extend into 2010, rather than be complete by the end of November 2009.

Under the recommended option, modelling indicates that restrictions should operate successfully. However, it is recognised that congestion may occur on George Street or adjacent junctions if there is an incident. It is therefore proposed to provide contingency arrangements, to be used in the event of a significant incident, which involves the temporary reopening of the Moray Place/Great Stuart Street junction. This would allow general traffic to use the Great Stuart Street, Moray Place, Heriot Row, Abercromby Place route as an additional east/west route across the city centre.

According to the council the work will be supported by the Edinburgh Tram Project's largest and most sophisticated logistics initiative yet. The complex pattern of deliveries for all businesses across Princess Street and George Street will be met and assisted by tie's dedicated Logistics Team.

(GK/JM)