Leith Business Association

On 28 May tie confirmed that work to remove the M.A.S.S. barriers on Leith Walk would start w/c 31 May. Despite these assertions no work was undertaken. It now transpires that the work will not in fact be starting until 13/14 June.

Steven Bell, the Tram Project Director has offered the following explanation:

"I acknowledge and apologise for the apparent confusion over commencement times for the proposed changes to the mass barrier central reservation.

...the final Road Safety Audit report for the proposed changes is completed... and is expected to be formally signed off at Traffic Management Review Panel with CEC and the Emergency Services on Monday 7 June.

Materials for the proposed works have been ordered and some are now hand, but elements are expected to be on up to 3 weeks delivery.  Our current programme anticipates commencing at Picardy – London Road and a number of the pedestrian crossings throughout the length of the Walk from 13/14 June.  It may be possible to bring that forward by a few days...  This work is being prioritised ahead of some city centre sites.

We will complete the works as quickly as traffic management constraints and material delivery allows, and will work in practical 'blocks' from London Road northwards.  However, we currently expect this to extend into the first half of July whilst awaiting the last of the materials."

It is disappointing that seventeen and a half months after the barriers were installed, and two months after the Council Leader's promise that barriers would be removed, work is yet to start.