tie have announced the next phases of construction in the form of utility diversion for Edinburgh city centre. As part of these works a major road Shandwick Place will be closed for five months, causing dismay amongst motorists, with work have already commenced as providing a diversionary route through the city centre.
Before work can commence on the next stage of utility diversion enabling works are to take place in St Andrews Square, Queensferry Street and Charlotte Square over the next four weeks. Amongst the works taking place will be the removal of barriers and street furniture outside the House of Fraser store at the junction with Hope Street and Lothian Road. The central reservation on Princes Street will also be removed.
Willie Gallagher, Chairman of tie, commented: These works will enable us to put in place the necessary temporary traffic management measures that will maintain traffic flows as we get on with the utility diversion work. They will remain in place as the tram infrastructure is laid in 2009."
Once this work has been done in mid-February the utility diversion will commence in earnest, in two phases the second commencing in April. Phase 1 of this work will comprise:
* Shandwick Place (closed for five months for utility diversion)
* Princes Street from Frederick Street to corner of South Charlotte Street eastbound carriageway (four months of utility diversion)
* St Andrew Square continuation of telecom diversionary work (four months)
* Lothian Road/Princes Street junction utility diversion work
Then in April Phase 2 of the work will commence:
* Princes Street the west end at the Lothian Road junction
All the work taking place will be finished in time for the Edinburgh Festival in August, when there will be a complete embargo on work for the tram in the city centre.
Willie Gallagher said: This programme of work will complete the majority of utility diversions in the centre of Edinburgh. The work will be completed before August so as not to impact on the Edinburgh Festival. The work will of course mean that temporary traffic diversions will be put in place. We have modelled a number of options to develop the best solution that provides optimum flow for both public transport and other traffic. We have also considered the views and needs of retailers and businesses into our planning and we are confident that this plan is the best solution for all.
Cllr Phil Wheeler, Transport Convener at the City Council, added: It is imperative that Edinburgh remains open for business throughout the construction work. This programme of work and accompanying traffic management has been developed in co-operation with the Council and a wide number of stakeholders and is the best way to manage the requirements of the construction with the needs of the business community and public.
During the closure of Shandwick Place a diversionary route will be introduced which sees cars and buses heading to the city centre from Haymarket being sent down Melville Street. In turn parking on the side of Melville Street will be suspended for the duration. Buses will go around Charlotte Square with some services along George Street. All other traffic will be diverted along Queensferry Street and Randolph Crescent before joining up with Queen Street.
Neil Greig, from the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: This will be the first in a long, long list of announcements that will involve disruption for drivers. What is crucial is that all of the alterations are properly communicated particularly given the track record of Edinburgh council during the last big set of changes in the city centre."
Source: The Scotsman & tie