Whatever the outcome of the decision on whether to extend Edinburgh Trams along Leith Walk to Newhaven you won\u2019t be able to say there hasn\u2019t been enough consultation \u2013 another online consultation will be launched at the start of September, this time looking for views on the proposed support for businesses effected by the construction works. The City of Edinburgh Council have said their proposals are \u201cinnovative and exciting\u201d and will total \u00a32.4 million.<\/p>\n
The consultation will launch on Monday 3rd September and run through until Sunday 30th September. The proposals included have been arrived at following feedback from local traders, members of the public and interest groups from the first round of public consultation.<\/p>\n
The proposals include:<\/p>\n
* A business continuity fund of \u00a3500,000 to help small independent businesses with short-term cash flow issues<\/p>\n
* Ensuring a clean and attractive area \u2013 total investment of \u00a3500,000 into a fund to pay for fa\u00e7ade improvements or repairs and regular window and fa\u00e7ade cleaning for worksite facing businesses<\/p>\n
* On street local guides \u2013 total investment of \u00a3400,000 to provide local advice and assistance, for example help for those with impaired mobility<\/p>\n
* Business skills development \u2013 total investment fund of \u00a3100,000 towards aspects such as website design and development, email marketing and social media best practice<\/p>\n
* Council funded Business Development Champion to help businesses build on their business case and plans for the years ahead<\/p>\n
* Investing in the arts during construction \u2013 total investment of \u00a3100,000 to support local arts group, artists and festivals<\/p>\n
* Market nights and shopping festivals \u2013 total investment of \u00a3100,000 which would include support for day and monthly markets<\/p>\n
* Wider Open for Business campaign \u2013 total investment of \u00a3100,000 alongside promotional campaign delivered by the contractor<\/p>\n
* Local discount\/voucher scheme \u2013 investment of \u00a350,000<\/p>\n
* Targeted deliveries \u2013 total investment of \u00a325,000 towards, for example, use of cargo bikes and an app to act as a one-stop shop for people who want to shop local and arrange delivery of their goods<\/p>\n
On top of these proposals companies who are tendering for the work have been asked to make provision for a series of measures to help sustain businesses during construction. Costing in the region of \u00a3500,000 this will include strategically located logistics hubs which can be used to store goods short-term and handle the movement of goods for the last or first mile of their journey, local transport hubs for parking, deliveries and temporary bus stops, wayfinding support such as signage and an Open for Business promotional campaign,<\/p>\n
Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Transport Convener on the City of Edinburgh Council, said: \u201cIf the project goes ahead, supporting businesses along the route, both during and after construction works, will be a top priority. From next week, we are inviting businesses\u2019 views on a raft of business support proposals through our online consultation. The range of measures we would put in place if the project gets the green light should cater to everyone\u2019s needs as effectively as possible. Our key aim is to make sure the whole area stays as vibrant and accessible as possible, not just during but also beyond the essential construction phase. Plans for taking Trams to Newhaven continue to take shape and we\u2019re hugely indebted to businesses, residents and interested organisations for all their help in developing the proposals. We were delighted with the significant level of engagement and feedback in the first phase of public consultation in the spring. We then held a series of very useful workshops to focus on key points brought up during that six-week consultation process. The project team is currently using all the feedback to refine the plans ahead of further engagement at the end of next month. This will feed into the Final Business Case going before councillors at the end of the year.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Whatever the outcome of the decision on whether to extend Edinburgh Trams along Leith Walk to Newhaven you won\u2019t be able to say there hasn\u2019t been enough consultation \u2013 another online consultation will be launched at the start of September, … Continue reading