Businesses and residents in Edinburgh have spoken of their relief as their street fully opens up again as the tram works near completion.
Independent business Printworks Café, on Constitution Street, in Leith has endured more than three years of disruption as tracks and overhead lines are installed.
The Newhaven extension is due to open in the next few months. The effects of the tram works in Leith have been highlighted by many with disruption to pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.
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Aytac Gul, 42, owner and manager of Printworks Café for 11 years, spoke to Edinburgh Live about the struggles that the trams have caused. He said: “It was hard years for us because the traffic, passing trade, walking trade and people were avoiding the street which effects all of those aspects.”
“We had to work harder to keep up because we lost most of our business.”
The street will soon be home to one of the new tram stops which is opposite Printworks Café and is in the final stages of completion.
Aytac has lived in Edinburgh his whole life and managed the café throughout the tram works on Constitution Street.
He went onto talk about the conclusion of the tram works and said he was: “Happy to see that the jungle is finishing, and I want to see everything back to normal.”
“We are happy to see cars and people back in our street again. We don’t know what will happen, if it will have a positive or negative on our business.”
Many other Leith residents have expressed their relief that the tram works are coming to a close.
Maggie Gottobed, 43, lives and works in Leith and said she was “very” happy to see the end of the tram work in Leith.
She continued on: “It’s had a massive effect on local businesses, a lot of people are really struggling as it is, so I am really glad it is coming to an end.”
Mark Mckinlay, 34, has lived his whole life in the area and said: “I think it’s really good to see it’s finally progressing, obviously it’s been delayed a lot, it would have been better if it was on time but just looking forward to getting it opened.”
Testing of the tram line to and from Leith is due to start at the beginning of March with work on going that will hopefully see the end of the tram works by May of this year.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environmental Convenor, said: “In just a matter of weeks we’ll see test trams running the length of Newhaven route, which is really exciting. Energising the overhead lines and buffering of the tram tracks are the final steps before this happens.”
“Reopening Leith Walk to two-way traffic is a key moment for the project too and, I’m sure, for all those who live and work in the area. I’d like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and support while we’ve carried out these works.”
“Once fully complete, this project will be transformative for Leith Walk and the rest of the route, while benefitting the wider city economy and helping to cut congestion. Not only will provide reliable, high-capacity connections to the north of the city but has significantly improved and enhanced public spaces and active travel links along the line.”
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