PRINCES Street would be closed to traffic for up to two months under plans being considered by tram chiefs.
The Evening News understands that taxis and buses would be diverted via George Street as part of the move, which would take place in 2009, to allow the laying of tram tracks.
CAN YOU DIG IT? The closure of Princes Street would create headaches
Sources close to the £498 million tram project have also said that Princes Street will also close for up to a week in February next year as part of work to divert utility pipes. Other busy streets on the
Newhaven to airport route, such as Shandwick Place, could also be facing temporary closures under the plans being considered by tram firm TIE.
TIE had previously stated that tram works would be carried out in stages, with a maximum of seven roadworks taking place at any one time, with each one no more than 200 metres long.
However, it is now considering a different strategy for Edinburgh's busiest shopping street that would allow it to carry out more work quicker. Business groups today warned that the full closure of Princes Street to traffic would create major headaches for shoppers and retailers.
Tram bosses insisted no decisions have been taken and they were still examining a number of options on how to temporarily divert traffic along the tram line.
Rob Winter, chairman of the Princes Street Association, said: "If there is this sort of plan then we would obviously need to consult with our members. Apart from getting people to the doors of the shops, there is also the consideration that a lot of retailers can only take their deliveries from the front on Princes Street."
Work moving pipes in the rest of Princes Street will resume in January and construction on the tram lines will get under way in February. Denzil Skinner, treasurer of the George Street Traders Association, said: "We want clarification on whether they are proposing partial or full closure of Princes Street to traffic. I think if all traffic was diverted on to George Street there would be gridlock."
The entire programme of trams roadworks will take more than three years to complete and involve digging up the roads twice – first to move water mains and gas pipes from the path of the trams, then to build the tram lines, stops and overhead wires.
Bill Campbell, Lothian Buses operations director, said: "Lothian Buses are working closely with TIE to make sure that the disruption is minimised.
"We have also invested in additional automatic vehicle locator equipment which allows us to monitor the disruption and react in real time."
Andrew Holmes, director of city development, said: "Our ultimate aims are to keep the city moving and not to discourage visitors. To achieve that we are obviously seeking to reduce the time spent on on-street works.
"As soon as we have proposals formulated it is our priority to ensure that businesses, residents and stakeholders know what is happening and why."
Willie Gallagher, chairman of TIE, said: "The next few years will see trams become a reality on Edinburgh's streets. TIE and the council have made a commitment to keep Edinburgh open for business during that time.
"We are therefore examining a number of options on how to temporarily divert traffic along the tram line.The options chosen will be agreed in early 2008 and then will be widely communicated."
