…and waiting …and waiting …and waiting…

You know, really the worst thing about the chaos on the streets is that while Edinburgh Council claim “A high-quality, modern and efficient tram network is being created for Edinburgh and is scheduled to be running on the Capital’s streets by 2011″ – I haven’t met anyone who actually believes that. Edinburgh City Council (any political incarnation) has never been known for its efficiency in solving traffic problems (anyone else remember the reorganisation of Charlotte Square that placed two sets of traffic lights so that the 41 bus was pretty much guaranteed to take an hour from the Queensferry Street entrance to the George Street exit?) and all the 2011 date means is that we certainly won’t have even one tram line running until then.

There may be a Leith Champion to “encourage trade back to Leith, as well as ensuring the remaining tram work is completed as efficiently as possible” – but it’s kind of late in the day to think of that, isn’t it? Businesses are closing down already because no one can get to them, and to date it hasn’t even occurred to the council to offer to subsidise the banners some businesses have paid for to tell customers they’re still open.

For what it’s worth, I agree with this Edinburgher:

If you need further proof then your article “Champion to rescue Leith from tram chaos” demonstrates that the cost far outstrips the benefits. It states that Leith has been hit the hardest. Why? Because that is where all of the effort is currently.

Princes Street will suffer even more when it is subjected to closures later on this year. Will we be seeing a champion for Princes Street?

How much pain are the people of Edinburgh going to suffer from this project, how much is it costing in real terms?

Class One Traffic Management: that’s the theme of the Leith Walk Obstacle Course. (You might not know that, so I pass it on.)

It may take some time: but eventually, all obstacle courses come to an end:

We hope you have enjoyed the Leith Walk Obstacle Course, brought to you by Edinburgh Council and Lothian Regional Transport. Feel free to enjoy the other themed obstacle courses found around the city.

This series Leith Walk Obstacle Course was inspired by Leith to get state of the art themed walkway at Leithal Yak.

Trams, schmams. Mainly, it’s about the traffic cones, isn’t it? We all want more traffic cones. They give a cheery, bright effect to a street.

Tune in Friday lunchtime for the final installment.

Tune in Thursday lunchtime for the next installment.

Trams are appealing. So LRT tell us. Apparently, a high-quality, modern and efficient tram network is being created for Edinburgh, and will be running on the streets by 2011. (Or 2014. One or the other.) Or it could be a low-quality, old-fashioned, and inefficient tram network: after three years of obstacle courses instead of streets, would we notice?

Do not be afraid: the council has developed themed obstacle courses to pass the time till then.

Tune in Wednesday lunchtime for another installment.

Trams are an appealing alternative for Edinburgh. So the council tells us. Once the council finishes digging up all the streets, travelling into and around the city will be much easier. And faster. And the introduction of trams is …only a few years away! World class modern trams imported from some more technically-advanced country, such as Ireland, will be running along Edinburgh’s streets from 2011. Or possibly 2014. Deadlines are so difficult to manage. Edinburgh is a vibrant and cosmopolitan capital city that demands the best public transport choices. Many cities across the globe such as Dublin, Melbourne and, just recently, Paris are realising the benefits of introducing modern, fast and reliable trams. Meanwhile, Edinburghers are enjoying the benefits of themed obstacle courses along all our major traffic thoroughfares.

This week, we’ll explore the Leith Walk Obstacle Course.

Tune in Tuesday lunchtime for another installment.