http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: "Officials lift works ban on tram route for vital repairs" en Thu, 21 May 2026 09:08:26 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31431 Mon, 16 May 2011 13:47:36 +0000 Morningsider 31431@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Road work reinstatements - governed by an area of law which is so far removed from reality as to be quite startling. </p> <p>The key piece of legislation is the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991, which requires reinstatments ot meet certain standards established by the Scottish Government, which you can find at:</p> <p><a href="http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/10/18344/27897" rel="nofollow">http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2003/10/18344/27897</a></p> <p>This is a very technical document, aimed primarily at road contractors (who presumably use it to stop tables wobbling and the like).</p> <p>Responsibility for ensuring reinstatements meet the required standards lie with local authorities (Transport Scotland for trunk roads). Incredibly, every reinstatement has to carry a 2 year guarantee (3 years for deep excavations) - if the re-instatment fails within that time the local authority can require the responsible party to repair the defect at their own expense.</p> <p>In addition, there is a Scottish Roadworks Commissioner who is charged with taking a stratgic overview of the operation of the whole system, details at:</p> <p><a href="http://www.roadworksscotland.gov.uk/" rel="nofollow">http://www.roadworksscotland.gov.uk/</a></p> <p>There are various penalites, including fixed penalty notices, that can be imposed by a local authority on an errant road works contractor - although these are used only as a last resort and the financial penalties are very minor (e.g. the maximum fine under a fixed penalty notice as £120).</p> <p>The only thing a road user can do about poor reinstatements is to gripe to their local authority. </p> <p>I'm not quite sure why the system appears to run so badly - I suspect complacency, lack of local government resources, poor training of contractors, indifference by utility companies and uncomplaining road users all play some role in this situation. A cycnic may also question whether brown envelopes (see CEC statutory notice section for details) play a part in this. I have never seen any evidence that this is the case. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31156 Thu, 12 May 2011 10:22:01 +0000 DaveC 31156@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Down at Haymarket last night they were working on the road down from Haymarket Terr to the rail line. Not heard noice there for a while. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31155 Thu, 12 May 2011 10:10:49 +0000 Min 31155@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I think there is but the companies get such a ludicrously tiny fine that it is far more worth their while to just not bother putting the road back properly. I have it in my head that it is something like £100. Or that might be for delays. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31152 Thu, 12 May 2011 10:02:20 +0000 kaputnik 31152@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>On reflection, as I thumped over the newly but p**s-poorly resurfaced road at Western Corner this morning, this article is a load of nonsense. There's been loads of roadworks along these routes in this time. Just not roadworks to mend the road. Water, Gas, Telecoms and Electric have all been fine. Just not roadworks to actually fix the road., but plenty to fix things under the road who make botched jobs at relaying the surface above.</p> <p>I take it there's not a council engineer of roads who goes around inspecting the carriageways after major sub-surface works have been completed and tells them to dig it up and "get it done proper" </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31140 Wed, 11 May 2011 23:34:42 +0000 kaputnik 31140@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/peteredin/5626115960/">they look a bit like this</a>. A nice shade of rust. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31139 Wed, 11 May 2011 23:28:38 +0000 wee folding bike 31139@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Do they look quite as silly as the sudden standing start they do in Princes St?</p> <p>I'll have a look for the megaflyover on Google. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31132 Wed, 11 May 2011 21:33:14 +0000 kaputnik 31132@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@weefoldingbike you'll get a good gander at some tram tracks from Edinburgh Park station on the megaflyover </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31127 Wed, 11 May 2011 19:41:59 +0000 wee folding bike 31127@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>So Princes St bothered for next Christmas.</p> <p>I've got an SQA marker's meeting in the mysterious east next month but it's at the Marriot near the Gyle so I'll not have a chance to look at the tram tracks again. Train stops at Edinburgh Park and it's only 1.5 miles to the hotel so I'm still pondering whether I'll take a bike or walk.</p> <p>I think bike.</p> <p>Will this new concrete be slippery when wet? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31126 Wed, 11 May 2011 19:39:16 +0000 wingpig 31126@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><blockquote><em>"The current situation on Princes Street is not satisfactory for anybody. In light of the risk to public safety, we will plain up the road surface either side of the rails by 250mm and re-concrete it."</blockquote></em></p> <p>So then, a little bit later, there'll be a rutted seam, 25cm of concrete, a track, 25cm of concrete, a rutted seam, another wee gap, a rutted seam, 25cm of concrete, a track, 25cm of concrete then a final rutted seam? Or will the bit between the two halves of a line all be properly relaid? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31123 Wed, 11 May 2011 17:40:54 +0000 chdot 31123@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Princes Street to shut for TEN MONTHS</p> <p><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/edinburgh/2011/may/11/edinburgh-trams-mediation" rel="nofollow">http://www.guardian.co.uk/edinburgh/2011/may/11/edinburgh-trams-mediation</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31122 Wed, 11 May 2011 17:34:49 +0000 chdot 31122@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> GdnEdinburgh: Trams: Princes Street road surface to be relaid completely with "more durable" concrete. Bilfinger Berger to pay for that, not council.<br /> "</p> <p>Original Tweet: <a href="http://twitter.com/GdnEdinburgh/status/68336747607638016" rel="nofollow">http://twitter.com/GdnEdinburgh/status/68336747607638016</a> </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31121 Wed, 11 May 2011 17:13:36 +0000 Cyclingmollie 31121@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Message from the Chief Executive (CEC)<br /> 11 May 2011</p> <p>Trams: next steps</p> <p>As you know, over the last few months a large proportion of my time and that of other colleagues has focused on the tram project and bringing the contractual dispute to a conclusion.</p> <p>I am pleased to say that we are now able to tell you about the initial outcomes from the mediation process that I and colleagues from City Development have been working on with tie and the construction consortium.<br /> What’s happening now</p> <p>The first sign of progress is an agreement to start priority works at Haymarket Yards, the Gogar Depot and the A8 underpass. These works are now underway.<br /> What will happen next</p> <p>A further key outcome of the process has been an agreement from the infrastructure consortium, Bilfinger Berger, Siemens (BBS) that they will fully repair the road surface on Princes Street. This will now go to Council for approval on Monday 16 May.</p> <p>The proposals are for works to be carried out in two stages: from 3 July – 26 November and then from January – spring next year. No public funds will be needed. Other work on Princes Street will also be carried out, including erecting street lighting and remaining overhead line poles and work around the tram stop.</p> <p>The extent of these works does mean that we will need to divert traffic which will take buses, taxis and cycles off Princes Street. They will be re-routed to George Street in a similar way to the previous diversions in 2009. The experience from that time is that traffic flows worked well with minimal delays and we have no reason to believe that this will not be the case this time round.</p> <p>We will let staff know of all changes, if they are agreed by Council, in case you are directly affected. You will also be able to direct members of the public to <a href="http://www.edinburghtrams.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.edinburghtrams.com</a> for further information.</p> <p>While it’s unfortunate that this work is required, I do see it as a positive sign for going forward and a significant improvement in relations for all those involved. We will now work towards an agreed programme to deliver the remainder of the first phase and a predicted final cost. I expect this to be reported to Council shortly. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31113 Wed, 11 May 2011 15:35:43 +0000 crowriver 31113@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I'm pleased to note that my street is due to be resurfaced at some point before September, according to the Council schedule. Great news, and not before time given the size of some of the potholes! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31086 Wed, 11 May 2011 13:18:19 +0000 chdot 31086@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"2 years of neglect"</p> <p>Only 2?! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31085 Wed, 11 May 2011 13:16:06 +0000 kaputnik 31085@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Except 2 years of neglect will have meant what were minor fill jobs have deteriorated into wholesale resurfacing of the carriageway... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31080 Wed, 11 May 2011 13:01:41 +0000 alibali 31080@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>They will, of course, have saved up the money that wasn't spent during the ban so there will be no problem funding the work. Right? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31078 Wed, 11 May 2011 12:32:35 +0000 cb 31078@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Maybe now they'll do Morningside Road!(?)"</p> <p>Please. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31075 Wed, 11 May 2011 12:20:41 +0000 chdot 31075@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"Interesting. Tram goes nowhere near Slateford Road or Glasgow Road!"</p> <p>The ban is/was on any main road going to the city centre.</p> <p>Maybe now they'll do Morningside Road!(?) </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31073 Wed, 11 May 2011 12:18:51 +0000 kaputnik 31073@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Interesting. Tram goes nowhere near Slateford Road or Glasgow Road! </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=2927#post-31072 Wed, 11 May 2011 12:14:49 +0000 chdot 31072@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>"<br /> A BAN on roadworks along the route of the tram project is set to be lifted to allow emergency repairs to be carried out on the Capital's crumbling roads.</p> <p>An embargo on roadworks on or close to the tram route was introduced in 2008 to help minimise disruption for motorists and local residents. </p> <p>But the restrictions are set to be relaxed to allow £1.35 million of essential repairs to be carried out on London Road, Slateford Road, Haymarket Terrace and Glasgow Road.<br /> "</p> <p><a href="http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Officials-lift-works-ban-on.6766281.jp" rel="nofollow">http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Officials-lift-works-ban-on.6766281.jp</a> </p>