Bus bosses seeing red over traffic ban plans

LOTHIAN Buses is on a collision course with city leaders over plans for a permanent ban on traffic in Princes Street.

Council chiefs have launched a feasibility study into pedestrianising the busy shopping street following the success of traffic diversions brought in for the tram works.

The council-owned Lothian Buses today made it clear that it saw Princes Street's long-term future as a major public transport route through the city centre.

It is understood the cash-strapped bus company is worried about its revenue being hit long-term if buses cannot access the city's busiest street.

In a response to a council consultation over the redevelopment of Princes Street, the firm said

: "Princes Street should remain a major public transport spine, and when making the city centre as pedestrian friendly as possible, public transport's ability to provide a full service is not impaired."

The pedestrianisation proposal has won favour from a number of city centre traders.

It is likely that any pedestrianisation plans would copy the format currently used for the tram works, with buses and taxis diverted along George Street.

However, a compromise solution which would see buses spread between Princes Street, George Street and Queen Street will also be considered.

Traders and motoring groups today said the plans needed further consideration.

Rob Winter, of the Princes Street Traders' Association, said: "There are a number of positives to taking traffic off Princes Street, improving the shopping experience by removing the four lanes of traffic might be one.

"The diversions seem to be working well, but it is hard to really tell if sales for shops on Princes Street are down because the buses are not there, the economic downturn or because they have a building site on their doorstep.

"The one thing we know is that we now have a great opportunity to debate the future of Princes Street."

Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's transport leader, said: "I have asked the head of transport to prepare a feasibility study into access to Princes Street by other forms of transport once the tram comes into service and the views of Lothian Buses will of course we taken into account."

Last week the Evening News revealed that Princes Street would remain closed to traffic during this year's festival season as part of a bid to catch up on delayed tram works and have the street open in time for Christmas.

It is anticipated that buses will return to Princes Street when work is finished, although the pedestrianisation plans may stop this.

Neil Greig, spokesman for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "I think there have been concerns about Princes Street in the past that is was being turned into a glorified bus station.

"However, you obviously need public transport that takes people where they want to go."

Shuttle shuffles off as airport service closes
BUS bosses have wound down an airport shuttle service after failing to find a buyer for the venture.

Edinburgh Shuttle, which had been operated by Lothian Buses since December 2006, was put up for sale in February, but has now ceased trading.

Lothian Buses said it wanted to focus on its "core business."

Iain Coupar, the firm's marketing manager, said: "There were a few notes of interest, but nothing came to fruition so the service stopped operating.

"One or two parties are still interested, but that's over to them.

"The current climate has got something to do with it and we were aware that the performance at the airport was in question."

All bookings transferred to an airport-based taxi firm.