Fresh hope in tram compensation fight

TRAM chiefs have agreed to look again at a rule which means some traders will miss out on compensation because they opened less than 21 months ago.

Shops, bars and restaurants which were set up after April 2006 are currently not eligible for compensation for the disruption caused by the massive project.

The cut-off date was agreed by the council and the city's Chamber of Commerce to coincide with the date the £498 million scheme won parliamentary approval.

But earlier this week, newly-established traders on Leith Walk – which has borne the brunt of the trams disruption so far – argued they are being hit just as hard as the shops which have been open longer.

Trams firm TIE is offering compensation of up to £4000 to the worst-hit businesses, on top of a rates rebate, for which all businesses affected by the construction of the airport-to-Newhaven link can apply.

The council-backed firm has now agreed to revisit the cut off date to see if there is anything they can do to help traders, a move welcomed by business groups.

Willie Gallagher, chairman of TIE Limited, said: "I am going to have discussions to consider the arguments put forward for moving this cut-off date and see if any of the cases put to us can be accommodated within our compensation budget."

Work to move utility pipes and lay tramlines on Leith Walk began in August. The programme of tram roadworks will take more than three years to complete.

Graham Russell, chairman of the FSB Edinburgh branch, said: "I welcome this step forward but it is about time because we have been under tremendous pressure from our members for the last seven months telling us the compensation scheme isn't working.

"Disruption from the trams will affect all business regardless of when they opened and this needs to be recognised.

"We need TIE going out of their way to help businesses as this disruption will only get worse."

Yesterday, tram chiefs revealed that Shandwick Place is to close for five months as part of the first major city centre roadworks for the trams.

From the middle of next month, all traffic travelling west from Princes Street will be directed up Lothian Road and on to the West Approach Road.

Traffic heading from Haymarket towards the city centre will be re-routed along Melville Street.

Roadworks will also take place on Princes Street, which will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and on St Andrew Square.

Graham Bell, spokesman for the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: "It remains reasonable to have a cut-off point as people moving into the area after a certain point would have been fully aware that the tram was going to be a reality."


Dismay over five-month street closure

TRADERS have said they are "disappointed" that Shandwick Place is to shut for five months as part of the tram roadworks.

Tram firm TIE yesterday announced that next month's temporary closure will mean all traffic travelling west from Princes Street will be directed up Lothian Road and on to the West Approach Road.

Cars and buses heading from Haymarket towards the city centre will be re-routed along Melville Street.

Roadworks will also take place on Princes Street, which will be reduced to one lane in each direction, and on St Andrew Square.

Michael Apter, owner of Paper Tiger in Stafford Street, and chairman of the West End Traders Association, said: "We are disappointed at the length of time Shandwick Place will be closed, it is certainly longer than we were anticipating."


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