Keeping it light in bid to leave council red-faced

WHEN it comes to the trams, it is hard to see the funny side – but two Edinburgh companies are helping the city to do just that.

Leith graphic designer Colin Taylor, 40, owner of the online store RetroRender, has created a spoof tram service – cheekily named South Haymarket Integrated Trams – for a series of “Tramageddon” satirical T-shirts.

“Like many Edinburgh taxpayers, we’re really disappointed with the whole tram situation,” he said. “If these T-shirts can help embarrass the council a wee bit into taking the line beyond Haymarket, we’ll be delighted.”

Colin’s imagined tramline has shrunk even further to include stops such as Haymarket Central, Just Past Haymarket, Saughton Jail and Taxi Rank for Edinburgh. It doesn’t even get as far as Edinburgh Airport, but the stop is coming soon – in 2027.

Also getting in on the act is Old Town Context in Cockburn Street, which specialises in retro home accessories.

Postcards featuring the phrase “You’ll have had your trams” have been designed by illustrator Ian McIntosh.

The firm’s Andrew McRae, 33, said: “The phrase reflects the fact that we had a tram system back in the 1950s and now we’re not sure if we’re going to get a single line. We’ve a great deal of sympathy for any of the retailers who have suffered as a result of the works.”