Newslink:
Delays as tram works begin: Evening News, August 18th >>>
Even if you support the tram scheme (and it seems to have few friends
these days,) it is impossible to ignore the confusion and frustration that the
works are creating. Leith & North still believes that the trams will add to the quality of life in Leith and Edinburgh; but even we are not sure that the benefits will outweigh the current inconveniences. The works involve everyone who lives and works in Edinburgh, not just Leithers, and they don't feel consulted or involved. Just inconvenienced. When the editor of Leith & North acknowledged that there is "a democratic deficit," his best friend who also works in the area, told him where he could stick it. And still does, weeks later. Newslink: Tropical fish shop is left high and dry in tram tide: Evening News, July 14th >>>
"It brings to mind the First World War trenches." Stephen
Berry, Leith resident.Leith & North will try and keep readers up to date with developments, we will try and be positive, and we will try and be interesting about the scheme, but we will also try and reflect people's experiences of the scheme. Leith & North's editor has been complaining that (apart from the Lib Dem Council cuts,) they are the major story in Leith and Edinburgh just now. But they're not very interesting; another friend noted that trams are not very pretty either.
So. We have four constructive suggestions to make.
One: please, please, please,
let's get some better public information on display. Trams for Edinburgh
do send out letters and they do hold surgeries, but there's a lot of room for
improvement. When disabled people can stand at a temporary bus stop, only to
be told by a bus driver that a small sign, six feet away on the curb, says that
it isn't a temporary bus stop, then something is going wrong. We also think their web sites could be more informative. When trying to find out about lastest developments, we learnt about the companies awarded the contracts for builing the tram lines, and supplying the trams, elsewhere. Currently, you can talk to the uniformed Tram Helper on site, call the Customer Helpline on 0131 623 8726 or email roadworks@tramsforedinburgh.com.
Two: we support Mark Lazarowicz's call for a campaign to support shops and businesses
NOW, so that there are still shops and businesse for us to use in 2011. Financial
support IS available for businesses, but as Mark notes, it's nowhere near enough
and it doesn't extend to the many businesses affected which do not lie directly
on the tram routes, off Leith Walk, and including Duke St, and Gt Junction St.“I have raised ... concerns with the tram promoters TIE, as have many others, and I know they have made some changes to extend the eligibility for financial support. However, following approaches I have had from local leaders of the Federation of Small Businesses, I would urge the Council and TIE to do much more. I know that the City Council is now considering further help for these businesses, so I am writing to Council Leader Jenny Dawe to urge her make sure that the Council gives the extra support that is so desperately needed.” Mark Lazarowicz, MP for Edinburgh North & Leith
Three: the scheme has another 30 months to run. It's not too late to improve
consultation about how the inconvenience can be minimised. Disabled people are
especially affected, be they visually impaired, wheel chair users or electric
buggy users, or merely frail and elderly. It's not just that the number of bus
stops has been reduced, it's that people use their limited energy to get to the
bus stop, only to find it's been moved, and is difficult to find. People who
rely on public transport are finding it difficult and stressful to use the existing
services.
Four:
let's do something to pretty things up a bit; if you think about it for a moment
or two, it's not as daft as it sounds. We 've got 30 months of road works ahead
of us, one way or another. Some kind of arts project involving schools, young
people and local residents, might ameliorate some of the chaotic uglines and
invite people to take some ownership of the scheme. Geometric alignments of traffic
cones don't really cut it, unless you're a crop circle fetishist. People
still talk about the fibre glass cows, so it can be done!.Tram scheme news: Construction of Tram Lines to start in September 2008
Transport Initiative Edinburgh (tie) have agreed the final
contract price for laying the infrastructure for the trams at £512m
well within the funding parameters set for the project at £545m. A September start is expected for construction on Edinburgh tram tracks after contracts were finalised by tie (transport initiatives edinburgh) Limited and the City of Edinburgh Council yesterday. Belfinger Berger, and Siemens Group have been awarded the contract for the tram infrastructure, which includes the laying of the tracks, controls and substations. CAF, a Spanish firm, have won the contract to supply the trams. and the trams should start running three years later, in June 2011.
Trams: on time and £47 million under budget: Evening News, October
18th >>>Rip up road map as trams set to hit streets: Evening News, October 19th >>>
BBC coverage >>>
Mark Lazarowicz campaigns on behalf of local businesses >>>
Leith Walk & Constitution St Traders web site >>>
Trams For Edinburgh web site >>>
Transport Initiative Edinburgh web site >>>
Download PDF of City road plans >>>
Construction timetable >>>
Bilfinger Berger web site >>>
Siemens UK web site >>>
CAF web site >>>