We mentioned a couple of weeks ago that the first stage towards the resumption of construction works for the Trams to Newhaven project were underway with preparation works taking place, getting ready for a time when the actual construction could start again. That time is now – or at least it will be soon with the Scottish Government having given the go-ahead for construction sites to move to Phase 2 – Soft start to site works where physical distancing can be maintained.
As things currently stand in Scotland, the plan is that phase 2 will be able to start from Thursday 18th June, although this is subject to possible change and will be dependent on the Scottish Government not changing their roadmap out of the COVID restrictions. If there are no changes it is planned that works will start as follows:
* Monday 15th June – at existing sites on Lindsay Road, Melrose Drive and Constitution Street
* Monday 22nd June – main construction works on Leith Walk from Elm Row to Crown Place. This will see traffic management installed on Leith Walk from the evening of Friday 19th June and starting from 0500 the following day. Leith Walk will be reduced to one lane city-bound.
Cllr Adam McVey, City of Edinburgh Council Leader, said: “We are currently carrying out site preparatory works on the Trams to Newhaven project following advice from the Scottish Government and in compliance with the Government’s guidance on construction working and to allow physical distancing. The tram team have done a fantastic job in working together to keep within the approved budget in hugely difficult circumstances. Should the First Minister move to phase two of plans to lift lockdown restrictions on 18 June, we will be commencing construction work from 22 June, with the appropriate traffic management in place. These signs provide advance warning of this, in line with the required statutory notice period. However, if we don’t move to phase two, the worksites will not reopen until we do.”
It’s a small step towards the resumption but hopefully the next couple of weeks will start to see the Trams to Newhaven project getting back on track.