Further to this, here's the relevant section from the trams act
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Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Act 2006
3 Power to alter the layout of roads
(1) The authorised undertaker may alter the layout of any road specified in columns (1) and (2) of schedule 2 in the manner specified in relation to that road in column (3) of that schedule.
(2) Without prejudice to the specific power conferred by subsection (1) but subject to subsection (3), the authorised undertaker may for the purpose of constructing, maintaining or using any authorised road tramway alter the layout of the road along which the tramway is laid; and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, the authorised undertaker may—
(a) increase the width of the carriageway of the road by reducing the width of any kerb, footpath, footway, cycle track or verge within the road,
(b) alter the level or reduce the width of any such kerb, footpath, footway, cycle track or verge,
(c) reduce the width of the carriageway of the road by forming a reserved area in the road as a stopping place for trams or by carrying out other works for that purpose,
(d) carry out works to the carriageway of the road for the purpose of deterring or preventing vehicles other than trams from passing along the tramway,
(e) carry out works for the provision or alteration of parking places and bus lay-bys, and
(f) make and maintain crossovers, sidings or passing places.
(3) The powers in subsection (2) shall not be exercised without the consent of the roads authority, but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
(4) The alteration of the layout of a road under this section shall be deemed to be a determination of the right of passage along that road under section 1(1) (Powers and duties of local roads authorities) of the Roads (Scotland) Act 1984 (c. 54).
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SCHEDULE 2
Roads subject to alteration of layout
(introduced by section 3)
In the local government area of the City of Edinburgh—
1 and 2
York Place, Picardy Place and, Leith Walk
Layover siding to be located between points L1 and L2
1
York Place, Picardy Place, Leith Walk and Leith Street
A realignment of junction and revision of kerblines, shown generally as RJ8
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Now I don't recall seeing these designs back in 2006, but regardless the act does effectively mean that if it's deemed part of the tram project, then the design can be carried forward regardless of any local concerns. Basically they can do what they want.
Despite certain designs presumably being approved (Prior Approval cited above in the 2009 "consultation") changes *have* apparently been made, even if only really tinkering at the edges.
What is rather infuriating (to me) is that council officials and certain councillors are pretending that the GAM contract is the stumbling block. This seems disingenuous at best, when it's clear that this junction design was decided in 2006 as part of the deal for the trams. How that design was reached is rather less than clear, but presumably included discussions with the developers and an opportunity to build a hotel on the traffic island in the centre of the gyratory.
Also open to question is the role of Alasdair Sims in all this: why is he being kept on as a consultant, even accompanying Paul Lawrence to public meetings? It seems to literally be the tram legacy hiding in plain sight...
ADDENDUM: There are references to route plans for Line One in these committee papers from the Scottish Parliament in 2005, however they appear to be with "hard copy only" or links to the now defunct TIE Ltd. web site...
http://archive.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/tram-one-bill/papers-05/e1p05-11.pdf
FURTHER ADDENDUM: Drawings and other documents can be found on the Edinburgh Planning Portal, Ref. 08/03723/PA
"Prior approval is being applied for, for the erection of tram stop including associated shelter and furniture, hard landscaping, tram Overhead Line Equipment (OLE), street lighting and bus shelters (erection, retention and relocation) as part of the Edinburgh Tram | Picardy Place Edinburgh"
Application validated: Mon 20 Oct 2008
Granted: Thu 11 Dec 2008
Note that the drawings as approved are dated 15 November 2006, i.e. more than a year after the Scottish Parliament committee scrutinised some drawings, and 9 months after the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Act 2006 was passed in parliament. Also note that earlier (superseded) drawings are dated 10 October 2006.
So it's clear detailed designs were still being worked on in late 2006. Which implies that the designs can be changed, if the will is there. The council has the power to change them, it would seem.
EVEN FURTHER ADDENDUM: From Edinburgh Tram Progress Report, TIE, September 2005
"The design of the network ha recently commenced and work on utility diversions is programmed to commence following Royal Assent."
http://archive.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/tram-one-bill/docs/Progress_Report_September_2005.pdf
So Googolers need to be looking for designs from 2005...
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