Shandwick Place Re-opens Again Following Tramworks

Submitted by edg on Fri, 18 Oct '13 7.04pm

City centre tram works are almost over. Well, at least we hope they are.

Edinburgh City Council put out a press release today reminding everyone that tomorrow marks "the final phase of the reopening of the West End following civil engineering tram works."

"The reopening of the Manor Place to Shandwick Place stretch of the road will also signal the end of tram civil engineering works in the city centre."

With the tram works done, new traffic arrangements come into force including a return to two-way vehicle traffic at Manor Place and bus, taxi and cycle access to Shandwick Place, with general vehicles permitted entry between 8pm – 7am.

Full details are on the Council’s website.

The Council says that preparations for live tram operation testing may "occasionally" impact traffic flows but that the works will be "localised".

“With the tram project now nearing completion, the city centre is beginning to take shape and we can look forward to next year when passenger services will begin," said Councillor Lesley Hinds, the city’s Transport Convener.

“Our target for service launch is now May 2014 but, of course, we’ll bring this forward if we can. However, it’s important to remember that a thorough testing, commissioning and driver training programme is absolutely essential. There is much work still to be done and it’s vital that all the appropriate tests and checks are made before we go into service.”

Transport Minister Keith Brown praised Transport Scotland's role in (belatedly) getting Edinburgh's troubled tram project "back on track".

“Alongside the redevelopment of Haymarket and Waverley Stations, Edinburgh will very soon have a modern transport system it can be proud of. The investment at Haymarket, Waverley, the Gateway and in electrification takes us one step closer to revolutionising the rail network in central Scotland.”