Work on Edinburgh tram extension to be paused over Christmas and New Year

A letter from the Trams to Newhaven project also warned of potential disruption to utilities in January.

Construction work on the tram extension will be paused until the first full week of January, Edinburgh City Council announced today.

The work on the Trams to Newhaven project which began a month ago will stop at 5pm today and will only restart at 7am on Monday 6 January.

The council said that paths would be reinstated to help people moving aruond the area, but diversions will be left in place in the majority of the affected areas.

Work on the tram extension will be paused over the Christmas period (Photo: Trams to Newhaven)

Leith Walk, however, will see most of its traffic management measures lifted.

Disruption to utilities

The news comes after a letter, seen by the Evening News, was posted through the doors of Leith Walk residents warning of potential disruption to their utilities.

It said water, gas, electricity and even phone lines and broadband could be affected by the work which is due to start in January.

Work on the tram extension will be paused over the Christmas period (Photo: Trams to Newhaven)

The extent of the disruption is not clear with a full programme of work still "being finalised".

However the disruption will not affect the Christmas or New Year period and will start at some point after the pause in the tram works.

The letter said: "When we know the areas where we will be working we will let people living, working and visiting the area know how they may be impacted and for how long.

"We wish to assure you that every effort will be undertaken to maintain supply during the works and we will make every effort to minimise any inconvenience."

Work to begin again on 6 January

Transport convener, councillor Lesley Macinnes, said: “Like most construction sites, there’s a break for the Trams to Newhaven workers to spend the Christmas period with their families; work will begin again on 6 January.

“In the meantime, we’ll keep promoting the local businesses to encourage local residents and those from further afield to discover the fantastic selection of bars, restaurants and cafes on offer in and around Constitution Street.

"We’re in very close contact with the businesses to make sure they know what’s happening and when, and are helping them and local residents manage their deliveries and supplying any information they need about the project.

“We’d like to wish everyone a very merry Christmas and all the best for 2020.”

The Trams to Newhaven public information line will be available throughout via 0131 322 1122 with people able to find information out about the work or raise issues with the ongoing work.