TRAM: British and Australian (American usually streetcar also trolley) noun [C] An electric vehicle that transports people, usually in cities, and goes along metal tracks in the road. (Taken from the Cambridge English Dictionary)
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WILL PRINCES STREET SEE TWO MONTH CLOSURE?
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 23rd December 2007
Tie are considering closing Princes Street – the major shopping street in the centre of Edinburgh – completely for two months in 2009, to allow the laying of tram tracks as plans for the construction of the tramway move on. I don’t think I need to tell you that the idea of this plan has been met with outrage and dismay by businesses in the vicinity.
tie had originally planned that no complete road closures would be necessary with work sites of only a maximum of 200 metres being in operation at any one time. However, it is reported in The Scotsman that they are no considering different plans so that the disruption for major roads is out of the way quicker.
Business groups have warned that a complete closure of the street will create major problems for both traders and shoppers. Rob Winter, the chairman of the Princes Street Association, said: “If there is this sort of plan then we would obviously need to consult with our members. Apart from getting people to the doors of the shops, there is also the consideration that a lot of retailers can only take their deliveries from the front on Princes Street."
If the plans, which tie are keen to point out are still in the discussion stage, do go-ahead all traffic would be diverted down George Street for the two months of the construction. It is also planned that Princes Street will be shut for a week in February 2008 as work continues on the utility diversion.
Willie Gallagher, chairman of tie, commented: “The next few years will see trams become a reality on Edinburgh's streets. tie and the council have made a commitment to keep Edinburgh open for business during that time. We are therefore examining a number of options on how to temporarily divert traffic along the tram line. The options chosen will be agreed in early 2008 and then will be widely communicated."
