The utility diversion work around the Mound Junction close to Princes Street in Edinburgh city centre caused chaos in its first day this week, leading officials at tie to apologise and meet with the City Council and Lothian Buses. This lead to a decision to change the diversions put in place with buses being allowed to travel westbound on Princes Street from Thursday 2nd October.
The chaos was caused not only by the tram works but also by several traffic light failures and motorists not quite knowing what was going on. Some sources suggest delays of up to an hour were experienced on Wednesday 1st October (the first day of the work).
Following a crisis meeting between tie, the City Council and Lothian Buses it was decided to allow buses to travel westbound along Princes Street again along with several other measures. These included additional signs to help motorists understand the temporary arrangements, more traffic wardens on duty, more roads markings and new restrictions put in place on unloading and waiting on both sides of George Street between Frederick Street and Hanover Street.
Willie Gallagher, Executive Chairman of tie, commented: I would like to apologise for the delays to both bus passengers and drivers today as a result of the introduction of the temporary traffic management measures to undertake the utility works around The Mound. Despite careful modelling and planning, it was clear by the morning rush hour that the temporary traffic measures were not fully working. We would ask all bus passengers and drivers to allow a bit more time in making their normal journeys, and we will continue to monitor the improvements and changes over the next few days.
This apology, predictably, did not go down to well with many in the city. Both politicians from the SNP and Labour and motoring organisations were hugely critical of what happened.
Bruce Young, Lothian and Borders co-ordinator of the Association of British Drivers, moaned: It is unacceptable that they can't get this sort of thing right from the start. But I believe that the long-term intention was to close The Mound to all traffic, so this is perhaps a sign of things to come. We are going to see them try and force people on to public transport by re-engineering the roads, so this is only the start of a deliberate policy to try and force a change in behaviour."
Shirley-Anne Somerville, SNP MSP for Lothians, said: I am very disappointed that, just like on Leith Walk, tie has not been able to make a good job of tram works on our city's main shopping street. The first day has proven to be completely disastrous for tie and they will really need to work fast to sort this mess out as this is just not acceptable."
It is thought that if these revised plans still cause major congestion they will be reviewed again with the possibility of buses being allowed eastbound on Princes Street.
Source: The Scotsman