System simplifies process of applying to work near tramway

Edinburgh Trams is due to start intensive testing on the new line ahead of the launch of services to Newhaven in spring this year, and anyone who plans to carry out works near the tramway is required to obtain prior permission.

An ‘Authority to Work’ (ATW) permit is issued by the city’s trams to ensure safe working practices and its infrastructure, and contractors have a legal obligation to comply with the process.

Launched last year, the PERMIT+ technology has allowed the operator’s engineering team to review each application quicker than with paper-based systems, whilst maintaining the highest safety standards.

For added convenience for the operator and applicants, the web-based solution provides detailed information on fees, so that contractors can clearly understand what charges will apply, and when they need to be paid.

Edinburgh Trams’ Authority to Work Manager, Iain MacLeod, explained:

PERMIT+ has become an essential aid for our day-to-day risk assessment and safety management and is also proving popular with anyone who needs to apply for an ATW permit.

We will notify applicants online as to whether a site visit is needed, and priority will be given to urgent works that need to be carried out at short notice.

PERMIT+ has made applying for an ATW permit simple and efficient, with all documentation uploaded at the point of application. The permit is then issued electronically and signed over the telephone.

Further information on how to apply for an Authority to Work permit can be found here.