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Urgent tram work summit under way City tram work plans reconsidered
(about 4 hours later)
An "urgent" tram meeting is under way between senior council officials, tram developers, the police and bus managers over The Mound road works in Edinburgh. Plans to close part of Edinburgh's Princes Street for tram works are being reconsidered after an urgent meeting.
The 90-minute-summit, which was convened by Edinburgh City Council leader, Jenny Dawe started at 1100 BST at the City Chambers. Officials have proposed that one lane remains open until the end of the year.
It follows gridlock on Wednesday due to temporary tram works at The Mound. The 90-minute summit brought together council officials, tram developers, the police and bus managers to discuss the roadworks at The Mound.
Willie Gallagher, chief executive of tram developers Tie, was forced to make a public apology following the debacle. The meeting was called after the tram utility works caused gridlock on Wednesday, when Princes Street was closed to traffic in both directions.
On Friday Edinburgh City Council's deputy leader, Steve Cardownie, called for Mr Gallagher to resign. The road was reopened westbound following the chaos.
Princes Street was closed to traffic in both directions from Wednesday but following the road chaos the road was reopened west bound. It had been planned to close Princes Street to traffic again on Sunday for six months after traffic lights were fixed.
Princes Street was then due to be closed again to traffic for six months on Sunday when traffic lights were fixed, however, it has remained open until new plans emerge from Monday's emergency meeting. However, under the new proposals one lane would remain open for the rest of this year.
I can assure drivers and travellers that actions have been taken to ensure we do everything we can to stop this happening again Jenny DaweEdinburgh City Council
Work to lay tram tracks along Princes Street is due to begin in January 2009, which would cause the major thoroughfare to be closed to traffic in both directions for five months.
Monday's meeting also came up with plans for council parking attendants to target "traffic hotspots", including dealing with illegal loading and unloading.
Diversion signs surrounding the works will be upgraded, and consideration will be given to new temporary park-and-ride sites.
Edinburgh City Council leader Jenny Dawe said: "This is the biggest construction project Scotland has ever seen, and we apologise again for the delays last Wednesday.
"I can assure drivers and travellers that actions have been taken to ensure we do everything we can to stop this happening again.
"I organised a meeting of all the key parties on Monday and we have agreed yet more improvements to ensure we remain a pleasant city to travel to and visit.
"This will ensure that future phases run as smoothly as the closures of Shandwick Place and Haymarket to traffic."
Willie Gallagher, chief executive of tram developers Tie, was forced to make a public apology following Wednesday's debacle.
On Friday, Edinburgh City Council's deputy leader, Steve Cardownie, called for Mr Gallagher to resign.