Public Inquiry into Edinburgh Trams Project?

Kezia Dugdale MSP has sent us a consultation document making a case for a public inquiry into the Edinburgh Trams Project. 


She suggests that "the more representations [she] receives, and the more suggestions are made for a Public Inquiry's terms of reference the more likely we are to get a deep and thorough inquiry which asks the right questions and demands answers".


Responses to the consultation document are requested by 29 October.  

Trams in Edinburgh

Traffic Regulation Design Meetings
Details of these can be accessed at Trams for Edinburgh

Trams Final Design Exhibition

11th June 2008 news release

Final Phase of Tram Utility Diversions Announced for Haymarket Interchange

tie Limited has announced the final phase of the tram utility diversion work in the city centre which will take place at the Haymarket Interchange.

This critical utility diversion work that has been underway across the City since September 2007 will now enter its final phase in July 2008 and will end in February 2009.

The work will be carried out in five distinct stages, with the first three stages being completed by early November.

Associated enabling work starting on June 16th will see the introduction of temporary pedestrian crossings at key locations so as to ensure the continued safety and uninhibited flow of the walking public.

As in our other sections of work, important temporary traffic management solutions have been carefully developed so as to ensure the free flow of traffic through the different phases.

During the enabling works it is our intention that the Caledonian Alehouse will be demolished. This will be done in a structured way so as to preserve the external stone work and slates for salvage. Several options are currently being explored

Willie Gallagher, Executive Chairman of tie Limited, said: “Haymarket is a critical location for the Edinburgh Tram Project and we are mindful of its importance to the City. As such, we will ensure that any impact associated with these works is lessened by good planning and robust traffic management.

“Work has already commenced on the Haymarket Station car park site and this will now branch out to on street works.

“With any of our works that have involved significant temporary traffic management diversions the assurance that the public need to hear is that we work with our partners – the City of Edinburgh Council, Lothian Buses and the emergency services. As in these other locations, we will provide for the optimum flow of traffic for both public and private.”

“Our work with local community groups has now started and it’s important that we agree solutions to issues including access and service delivery and collection arrangements as part and parcel of these works.

“We recognise that Edinburgh wants this work done quickly and safely. Our proposed methodology, alongside the traffic management measures, is the best way to achieve this.”

Bill Campbell, Lothian Buses operations director said: “Many of our busiest bus services pass through the Haymarket area so it is critical that the diversions are managed properly. As at Shandwick Place and Constitution Street, we have worked closely with tie and The City Council in the planning of the diversions and we are confidant that everything will go according to plan and that any inconvenience to passengers is kept to a minimum.”

Cllr Phil Wheeler, Transport Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Each phase of the utility diversion programme has been well managed to ensure that traffic continues to flow in the city while tram work goes on and I am sure this stage will be no different.

“Edinburgh remains very much open for business while work goes on and every effort is being taken to ensure that access to businesses for customers, services and deliveries is retained. We are also running a marketing campaign on the wealth of reasons to visit the city centre and we will continue to work with businesses on creative ways to ensure visitors and shoppers continue to come into town while work is going on.”

For further information, please contact Gordon Robertson at Media House on 0131 555 1015 or 07887 542 124.
The main temporary traffic diversions will involve using the following streets: Magdala Crescent, Eglinton Cresent, Roseberry Crescent, Grosvenor Street and Lansdowne Crescent.

Work Programme:

Stage 1 – Haymarket Station, Dalry Road and Torphicen Street
Stage 2 – Haymarket Station, Dalry completion and Manor Place junction
Stage 3 – Haymarket Station and Manor Place junction
Stage 4 – Station completion and Palmerston Place junction
Stage 5 – West Maitland Street



A series of exhibition events have been planned over the next few weeks to present the detailed design of the tram route

TIMETABLE
FINAL DETAILED DESIGN MEETINGS - June 2008

Monday 16th June 2008 4pm – 7.30pm
Haymarket - Edinburgh Park
Stenhouse & St. Aidens Church, Chesser Avenue, Edinburgh

Tuesday 17th June 2008 4pm – 7.30pm
Edinburgh Park – Airport
Findhorn Room, Edinburgh Marriot Hotel, 111 Glasgow Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8NS

Wednesday 18th June 20084pm – 7.30pm
Newhaven Road – Foot of the Walk
St. Mary’s Star of the Sea, 106 Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6AW

Thursday 19th June 2008 4pm – 7.30pm
Foot of the Walk – Picardy Place
St. Mary’s Cathedral, 61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD

Monday 23rd June 2008 4pm – 7.30pm
Picardy Place – Haymarket
St. George’s West Church, 58 Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, EH2 4RT

Tuesday 24th June 2008 4pm – 7.30pm
Roseburn – Crewe Toll
Holiday Inn,107 Queensferry Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3HL

Wednesday 25th June 2008 4pm – 7.30pm
Crewe Toll - Granton
Telford College, 350 West Granton Road, Edinburgh, EH5 1QE

Thursday 26th June 2008 4.30pm –7.00pm
Baird Drive
Saughtonhall Recreation Hall, 22a Saughtonhall Avenue, Edinburgh

Tram Fact Sheet May 2008

The construction programme that
will see trams running on the streets
of Edinburgh by 2011 has been
announced. The programme will
see infrastructure works start from
May 2008 until January 2011 and it is
anticipated that a full revenue service
will be in place by July 2011.
The contract also includes an extension of the hours of working
for contractors to 7am to 7pm (Monday to Saturday) in response
to the wishes of Edinburgh’s business community and to further
minimise the impact of the project.
During the ongoing construction period the project will continue
to plan diversions carefully in close collaboration with the City of
Edinburgh Council, Lothian Buses, Lothian and Borders Police and
the emergency services in order to ensure minimum disruption.
As the next phase of the project progresses, rails will start to be
laid and tram stops will be built, and the people of Edinburgh will
be able to see exactly where trams will run on our streets.
The Edinburgh Tram project brings together world renowned
organisations including Bilfinger Berger Siemens (BBS), CAF,
Carillion, SDS and Transdev and together with tie these
organisations will deliver a world class tram system for
Edinburgh, its citizens and visitors.
“Now that the construction programme
has been announced, we are at the cusp
of delivering what we have promised –
a world class public transport system
in our Capital.
We have struck the correct balance between price,
programme, quality of the finished product and certainty
of cost in agreeing this construction programme.
The utility diversion work continues to progress to
programme and to budget. Clearance of utility sites
has commenced in Leith Walk and this will continue
throughout the route in preparation for the infrastructure
work to begin this year.
The start of the infrastructure work in May 2008 will
see the nature of the construction change with rails being
installed from August 2008. I’m certain that the people of
Edinburgh will look forward to seeing the physical attributes
of the tram develop before them.
Throughout construction, tie will continue to work closely
with its business and community partners and contractors
to ensure that the city remains open for business while
tram work takes place. This is an exciting time and brings
us another step closer to a fully-integrated public transport
network befitting a capital city.”
May 2008 Fact Sheet
Tram construction programme announced
as scheme moves to next phase
Building the infrastructure
(Infraco)
The tram infrastructure work will start
in May 2008 and between mid-May and
end of June 2008 this work includes:
On-Street
• Excavation for piling at Russell
Road Bridge
• Site clearance in Russell Road / Roseburn
Street for retaining walls and demolition
of existing buildings
• Demolition of Caledonian Ale House
• Set-up for accommodation works at
Murrayfield Stadium
• Commencement of excavation for
Haymarket Viaduct
Off-Street
• Preloading of embankment at site
of Gogarburn Bridge
• Completion of removal of gas main
and water main at Depot site
• Gyle Stop retaining wall
Key Programme Dates
for Line 1a
December 2008
MUDFA programme complete
January 2009
Princes Street closure to traffic
until July 2009
Work starts on Haymarket Junction
2009
Track laying throughout route
January 2010
Work starts on Picardy Place junction
Spring 2010
Gogar Depot completed
Winter 2010
Commence testing and commissioning
of tram vehicles
July 2011
Full revenue service running
Tram vehicles
A new tram film was released
earlier this year showing the
trams at several locations along
the route. The common branding
with Lothian Buses will reflect
Edinburgh’s integrated transport
network, providing joint ticketing
and information. You can view
the film on the homepage of
www.tramsforedinburgh.com.
www.tramsforedinburgh.com telephone: 0131 623 8726
Edinburgh’s businesses will remain open and accessible and welcome your continued patronage.
Willie Gallagher,
tie Executive Chairman
Bankhead Ocean Terminal
May 2008 Fact Sheet
www.tramsforedinburgh.com telephone: 0131 623 8726
Who’s who?
Construction Consortium (Infraco) –
Bilfinger Berger Siemens
• Responsible for civil engineering including
earthworks, structures and roads plus
laying the tracks, building tram stops
and the overhead line equipment
• Also assuming responsibility for SDS
and Tramco through contract novation
• Due to be completed 2011
Tram Manufacturer (Tramco) - CAF
• Responsible for supplying 27 trams,
maintenance equipment and structural
warranty for up to 30 years
• Contract to be novated to Infraco contract
• First trams to be tested 2010
Utility Diversions (MUDFA) -
Carillion
• Now Carillion after take over of Alfred
McAlpine in 2008
• Responsible for all utility diversions
along the route including water, gas
and telecoms in preparation for the
infrastructure works
• To be completed December 2008
Detailed Design - SDS (System
Design Services)
• Contract awarded to Parsons Brinkerhoff
and Halcrow
• Responsible for detailed design of the
tram route and consultation
• To be novated to the Infraco contract
• Due to be completed 2008
Tram Operator -
Transdev Edinburgh Tram
• Responsible for technical advice through
the procurement and delivery phases, plus
operating resources to assist with testing
and commissioning
• Transdev to operate the system from
2004 for 15 years
In May and June major utility
diversion works (MUDFA)
will be commencing/ongoing
in the following areas:
• Gogar Depot
• The Gyle
• Shandwick Place
• Princes Street
• St Andrew Square
• South St David Street
• Leith Walk
• Constitution Street
• Ocean Drive & Ocean Terminal
• Edinburgh Park Station to
Forrester High School
• Haymarket Station to Roseburn
• Montgomery Street to London
Road Roundabout
In addition to the above,
the following works will
start in July – August 2008:
• Manor Place to Haymarket
• Gayfield Square
• Lindsay Road to Newhaven
Tram Information
Boards
Small Business
Support Scheme
(Updated figures at the start of May 2008)
During the construction for Edinburgh’s 21st century tram network, we would like to thank you all
for your support and patience in helping to build a new and modern transport system.
Learn more /
Share your thoughts
Speak to the uniformed tram
construction advisers who will
be at every work site
Customer Helpline:
0131 623 8726
Email:
roadworks@tramsforedinburgh.com
Website:
www.tramsforedinburgh.com
Ongoing work
18 Tram Information Boards have
been installed in the city centre at
the following locations:
2 on Constitution Street
8 on Leith Walk
4 on Princes Street
2 on St Andrew Square
2 on Shandwick Place
What are the benefits
of trams?
It will improve your quality of life
• Faster journey times
• Less congestion = less pollution & noise
• One part of a better integrated
transport system
• Comfortable and accessible
• Safer – inspector plus driver
• Looks great
• Comfortable, different experience
from the past
It’s good for Edinburgh
• Better transport is essential to the
growth of the city and attracting new
businesses
• House prices along tram routes can
increase
• 1,000 permanent new jobs and 1,000
construction jobs
• Trams will attract more visitors to the
City Centre
• Connects Waterfront, Edinburgh Park
etc with the City Centre
• Link to airport will benefit tourism
and businesses
• Trams are environmentally friendly
Constitution Street, March 08
For more information on the Small Business Support
Scheme please contact the tram helpline on 0131 623 8726
Edinburgh’s businesses will remain open and
accessible and welcome your continued patronage.
Applications delivered 430
Applications received 210
Applications accepted 197
Applications rejected 8
Applications requested further info 5
Cheques delivered 187
Amount paid £684,000
Constitution Street, March 08
Shandwick Place, March 08