TRANSPORT chiefs in Edinburgh last night unveiled details of the publicity blitz they hope will avert chaos when Princes Street is completely closed off from this weekend to make way for major tram works.
More than 120,000 leaflets will be distributed across Edinburgh from today alerting workers, commuters and shoppers to the 10-month closure, how traffic is planned to be rerouted and a host of bus diversions.
Some 9,000 businesses and organisati
ons have been briefed on the work, due to get under way in the early hours of Saturday, which will see most buses diverted on to George Street while general traffic will be rerouted on to Queen Street.
Hundreds of extra road signs will be up across the capital across the next few days to ensure as many motorists as possible are aware of the closure, expected to be kept in place until the end of November.
Shoppers, office workers, railway commuters, taxi drivers and tour operators will all be targeted over the next few days.
Publicity material promoting a "Get Shopping" message will be distributed to visitor attractions, shopping centres, council offices, community centres and libraries.
Posters will be put up at railway stations, on bus shelters and in phone boxes across the city while a radio advertising campaign will be run.
Tram "helpers" will be out on the streets over the next fortnight offering advice on how to get deliveries through, find temporary bus stops and relocated taxi ranks, and access attractions.
A spokesman for Tie, the city council firm running the tram project, said: "Keeping Edinburgh open for business is of paramount importance during the work on Princes Street.
"The communications activity supporting this project is unprecedented and underlines the real commitment the project has in minimising any disruption caused as we lay infrastructure."
Traffic will be diverted away from the capital's main thoroughfare from 5am on Saturday to allow work to begin on moving underground pipes and the laying of tram tracks. Princes Street is to be completely closed between South Charlotte Street and South St David Street.
The closure will be gradually phased in on Saturday and is expected to be fully operational by Sunday, when a replica tram is due to be in place outside Jenners department store.
A westbound lane will be kept clear of any roadworks for the first week in case the diversions do not work as planned.
Cllr Robert Aldridge, vice-convener of transport on the city council, said: "This is a necessary stage in the process of delivering 21st-century trams to the city and after extensive consultation and transport modelling, we have all agreed it is the quickest and most efficient way of getting the job done.
"Contingency plans are also in place in case of any unexpected problems."
