Edinburgh City Council are planning to take court action against 23 residents who have refused to allow the overhead wires attached to their properties when the tram scheme is built. A decision was taken at the outset that because of the World Heritage Site designation of the city centre no poles would be used for the overhead but rather they would be fixed to buildings along the route – however, 23 residents have written refusing permission.
Those who have refused to allow the overhead to be attached to their property have claimed that their mortgage lenders have refused to allow the fixings whilst others fear the future sale of their homes could be affected with the actual notification process also being criticised.
The overhead is due to be attached to buildings between Haymarket and York Place in the city centre and between the dock gates in Constitution Street, Leith and the bottom of Leith Walk.
It is expected that Councillors will be recommended that they need to take the case to court, after negotiations between the parties fell through. £50,000 is expected to be cost of preparing the case.
One of those who refused to give permission was Justin Bird. He is quoted in The Scotsman: “I'm quite annoyed, given they have not served the documents to us correctly. We have not been able to get the consent of our mortgage lender. In addition, solicitors have told us they would charge extra fees for transferring consent to a future owner of the flat."
Source: The Scotsman