It is now over a month since the first stage of construction works on the Edinburgh Trams to Newhaven project started and the project team have released an update on what has been going on, showing that public relations is going to be a vital way forward especially when you consider the “issues” of the building of the initial line.
The first area of work is at Constitution Street and the few weeks hasseen mainly preparation works take place. This has included the surface of the road in various places being planed and silt trenches completed. Work has also commenced to determine the status of various utilities located in this section (ahead of the dreaded utility diversion work). Between Queen Charlotte Street and Baltic Street and from Baltic Street to Constitution Place there has even been some trial excavations to establish utilities whilst the Baltic Street junction has had a trial excavation around the gas main.
Other works have seen the deconstruction of the Robert Burns Statue and scaffolding has being erected around the wall at South Leith Parish Church which will enable the careful temporary removal of this during the main construction works.
The first part of the scheme to help local businesses was also launched on 28th November. This allows the public to purchase up to three vouchers at £5, each with the retail value of £10, giving up to £30 to spend at a range of places on the street. Almost 1,500 of these vouchers have been purchased so far but there still remain some for some businesses. A wider scheme to help Leith Walk businesses will start in 2022.
Work is now suspended for the Christmas and Hogmanay period with it due to recommence on Monday 6th January 2020 at 0700. All open excavations have been backfilled with sand to protect ground conditions and footways have been reinstated wherever possible.