Notification of Start of Construction Work at York Place

As part of the next stage of works on the Trams to Newhaven project, the temporary tram stop at York Place will be decommissioned and removed to allow the installation of a crossover linking the existing line with the new route.

To facilitate these works, from 9 February 2022 until April 2022 the tram from Edinburgh Airport will stop at the West End. Once the works at York Place are complete, from April 2022 the tram will then terminate at St Andrew Square until the new stop at Picardy Place becomes operational when the line to Newhaven opens in Spring 2023. Details of the operational arrangements for this are available on the Edinburgh Trams website.

In developing the construction strategy for the project, the project has drawn on lessons from the first phase of tram and good practice for construction projects from other European cities. Our traffic management arrangements allow us to open large sites to enable utility and main tramway construction to be undertaken continuously. This also allows works to continue in the event of any problem being encountered during construction and fewer traffic management changes lets those affected by the works to adapt to the revised arrangements.

Construction Works

Fencing will be erected to establish the construction site which will take place in the early hours of Thursday 10 February 2022.

To facilitate the decommissioning of the temporary tram stop at York Place, specialist concrete works are required to be undertaken in the first two weeks to remove the existing tram stop.  For the duration of these works, there will be increased levels of noise as we will be utilising specialist equipment for the removal of concrete.  All efforts will be made to minimise disruption and inconvenience to residents and businesses. This will include the use of acoustic shielding and the creation of a working tent to enclose and isolate the work zone.

On completion of the above works main infrastructure works will commence to link the existing tram tracks to the new phasing of works.

Enabling works between St. Andrew Square and Elder Street will be carried out between the hours of 00:00hrs and 07:00hrs from 6 – 9 February 2022. These works will require localised traffic management and are expected to be non-intrusive with minimal disruptions.

The construction of the new tram stop on Picardy Place is scheduled to start from May 2022. The full section of works from London Road to York Place is scheduled to be completed in October 2022, ahead of a period of testing and commissioning.

Working Hours during this phasing of works

Construction site working hours are Monday to Friday 7am to 9pm and, following approval from the City of Edinburgh Council, Saturday 7am to 4pm.  There may be times throughout these works that Sunday working is required which will be notified via the project's Twitter account 

Supporting Local Businesses & Logistic Hubs

A Support for Business package is in place, devised in consultation with businesses in the area, which will include a local voucher scheme, an ‘open for business’ campaign across a range of media, and a business continuity fund. Full details can be found here: Support for Business

Logistics hubs to support businesses remain operational on Montgomery Street, Albert Street, Dalmeny Street and near Foot of the Walk to help with deliveries and dispatches. In addition, from Monday 7 February 2022 a loading bay will be installed on Union Street to assist local businesses with deliveries.

Lothian Buses

The project has consulted with Lothian Buses on the proposed traffic management to allow the development of their bus diversion routes.  Full details will be available at www.lothianbuses.com and via the Transport for Edinburgh App.

Waste Management

There will be no changes to bin collection arrangements.

Traffic Management

Traffic management arrangements have been approved jointly with members of the city's Traffic Management Review Panel, including Lothian Buses and the emergency services, and arrangements to accommodate the main phasing of works will be in place from 10 February 2022.  

View the traffic management plans (PDF)

The project will assess the traffic management arrangements throughout the construction period and make amends where required.

Contact Us

If you have any concerns or further questions regarding these works then please contact the Trams to Newhaven project team by email on Newhaven.tram@edinburgh.gov.uk or alternatively contact our customer helpline on 0131 322 1122 (local rate Monday to Sunday 8am to 7pm).