The Edinburgh Evening News report that in order to speed up the tram construction work on Leith Walk, tie are proposing to close the road to traffic both ways in sections later this year. Short sections would be closed at a time with all traffic diverted onto Easter Road throughout the work. A similar tactic was used on Shandwick Place with the recent utility diversion work.
And what do the traders on Leith Walk think of the proposals? Well, for a change it doesn’t seem to be 100% negativity. Gordon Burgess, chairman of the Leith Walk and Constitution Street Traders Association, said: “This is an idea worth considering but we would need really strong assurances that work would start and stop when they say it will, and that the gains they can make are worthwhile. People just want this over and done with but it needs to be managed properly."
Willie Gallagher, Executive Chairman of tie, said: “We are always keen to, where possible, get in and out of a site as quickly as possible. We don't have the information to hand on the precise productivity gains this idea for Leith Walk would bring, or indeed if it is practical. You wouldn't have the whole of Leith Walk from Elm Row all the way down to the bottom closed, but there may be certain sections where we can get in and get the work done quicker if there is uninterrupted access."
Source: The Scotsman