Edinburgh and Works for the Trams

Submitted by actionman on Tue, 1 Apr '08 7.02pm

The work to put in place the infrastructure for the trams in Edinburgh is having a severe impact on many parts of the city.   Shandwick Place is closed and Leith Walk is in effect a no-go zone for cars - unless you have plenty of time to spare.   The closure of Shandwick Place has meant the diversion of all the bus routes which has made Charlotte Square a very busy route diversion hub.    The effects of all this disruption is having a devastating effect on the shopkeepers in all affected areas, but particularly Shandwick Place where many claim their taking have dropped by some 60% since the work started.    Let us hope the end result is worth all this disruption.   It all tends to enhance the reputation of Edinburgh as the UK's most car unfriendly city.

Those same merchants may be hurting now - but they should benefit from a surge in foot traffic when the trams arrive. Pain today, gain tomorrow (or rather in three years time)...