Community Councils Together on Trams: Minutes of meeting held on Thursday 28 May 2020

Leith Links Community Council is a member of ‘Community Councils Together on Trams’ alongside Leith Central Community CouncilLeith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council and New Town & Broughton Community Council. CCTT is the coalition of Community Councils who meet regularly to discuss, scrutinise and influence the intended continuation of the Edinburgh Tram system to Newhaven.

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 28 May 2020 are copied below for our communities information.

Actions and decisions are in italic.

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Community Councils Together on Trams: Minutes of meeting held on Thursday 30 April 2020

Leith Links Community Council is a member of ‘Community Councils Together on Trams’ alongside Leith Central Community CouncilLeith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council and New Town & Broughton Community Council. CCTT is the coalition of Community Councils who meet regularly to discuss, scrutinise and influence the intended continuation of the Edinburgh Tram system to Newhaven.

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 30 April 2020 are copied below for our communities information.

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Community Councils Together on Trams: Minutes of meeting held on Thursday 26 September 2019

Leith Links Community Council is a member of ‘Community Councils Together on Trams’ alongside Leith Central Community CouncilLeith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council and New Town & Broughton Community Council. CCTT is the coalition of Community Councils who meet regularly to discuss, scrutinise and influence the intended continuation of the Edinburgh Tram system to Newhaven.

Actions and decisions are in italic.

Abbreviations

BAFO = best and final offer
CCTT = Community Councils Together on Trams NTBCC = New Town & Broughton Community Council
CEC = City of Edinburgh Council OBC = outline business case
CPZ = controlled parking zone POLHA = Port of Leith Housing Association
CS = Constitution St SRWR = Scottish Roadworks Register
ECI = early contractor involvement SPC = swept-path contract
EIA = environmental impact assessment TAPOG = CEC’s tram all-party oversight group
FBC = full business case TEC = CEC’s transport and environment committee
ISC = infrastructure and systems contract TfE = Transport for Edinburgh
LB = Lothian Buses TM = Traffic management
LCCC = Leith Central Community Council TMRP = traffic management review panel
LHNCC = Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council TN = Trams to Newhaven project
LLCC = Leith Links Community Council TRO = traffic regulation order
LW = Leith Walk TT = trams team

TAPOG is CEC’s leader and vice-leader, CEC’s transport convenor and vice-convenor, and transport spokespersons from each party

1 Welcome, introductions

1.a Attendance

Charlotte Encombe CCTT/LCCC Andrew Mackenzie CCTT/LLCC Harald Tobermann CCTT/LCCC
Rob Levick CCTT/LHNCC Sally Millar CCTT/LL CC Chris Wilson TT/CEC
Jennifer Marlborough CCTT/LHNCC Bruce Ryan CCTT minutes secretary Darren Wraight TT/CEC

1.b Apologies

None

2 General update by TT team

This follows, as much as possible, the headings on TT’s slides, rather than the agenda published by CCTT.

D Wraight reported as follows:

2.a ECI period is now concluding

  • Work is on schedule as it nears the end of the ECI period:
  • ECI has been very successful.
    • The contractor had 13 key deliverables for the ECI period. These deliverables will provide more certainty on cost and programme.
    • The contractors ECI submissions are on programme
  • The next stage of ECI is to go through the governance system, i.e. reporting to Boards in week beginning 30 September.
  • TT is carrying out due diligence on information supplied by the contractor.
    • For example, the [construction] programme is not yet locked down.
  • If all goes to plan, which is expected, CEC will notify the contractor to proceed on 4 or 5 October.

2.b Traffic management plans for construction commencement finalised

  • TM is a key ECI deliverable.
  • TM for the construction phases commencing first has been prioritised .

2.c TM for other sections continues to be developed.

  • This differs from the original ECI deliverable. It was agreed by the TMRP that as some phases will not commence for up to 2 years, that it would be more appropriate to sign off closer to construction to allow an informed decision to be made.
  • It was agreed that TM must be approved by TMRP 12 weeks before the start of any piece of construction.
  • 12 weeks gives time for notification to LB (so they can notify and register changes to routes) and to SRWR.
  • There is no consultation on TM with communities. However, TT will ensure CCTT is informed, and that there is overall a ‘stringent’ communications policy providing full detail.
    • CCTT stated that there had been no notification about the works on the roundabout at the end of Easter Rd.
    • TT responded that this work was not part of the TN project.
    • TM was part of the initial consultation; relevant information has been in the public domain for 18 months.
    • LB does not have to reregister everything. It depends on the size of change. (TT did not have details of thresholds.)
    • SRWR requires a maximum of 12 weeks’ notice for registrations.
  • The public will get a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice before construction starts anywhere.
    • If public notification is possible earlier, TT will do so.
    • LB is yet to confirm proposed notification timelines.
      • TT meets with LB fortnightly. LB experience is that if people are notified too far in advance, this causes confusion. The optimum time for strong public notification is 2 weeks.
      • CCTT strongly contested this, noting that train timetables are published 12 weeks or more in advance.
      • Action: TT to ask LB to send a representative to one of these meetings to talk about notification processes.
    • This does not mean that TT can’t do other communications prior to 4 weeks before construction starts.
    • CCTT called for information that would affect people’s regular schedules (commuting etc) to be published much sooner.
      • TT responded that the communications plan is an ECI deliverables, and has yet to be approved by the board.
      • The TMRP will continue to convene throughout the course of the project to monitor TM and approve any additional measures..

2.d TRO proposed to commence end of November

This is the permanent legal order that manages movement on the ground.

  • TT anticipates this starting in November.
  • A statutory process must be followed, including
    • consulting with CCTT/community councils, emergency services, taxis
    • 28-day public advertising period. Within this, TT will hold at least 2 drop-in sessions covering the whole route.
    • Under the tram Act, no objections covering matters within the ‘limit of deviation’ (~20m along each side-street) need go to the reporter. That is, TEC can decide on all such matters.
    • Other matters outwith the limit of deviation will be done as necessary, but using other appropriate processes.
  • TT has been in discussion with the CEC parking team, to ensure suitable information-exchange.
    • CCTT expressed concern that the public would complain about facets of the TRO.
    • TT responded that the Restrictions in the TRO have been in the public domain for quite some time. However, the TRO process gives people opportunities to formally object.
      • Objections will be given appropriate consideration, following due processes.
      • There was discussion of when, where and how many drop-ins are needed to ensure effective communication.
  • CCTT asked whether there is guidance on what are material objections for TRO matters.
    • TT is open to hearing, and acting on, practical objections. These are likely to be based on detailed local knowledge.
    • Action: TT to check into relevant guidance.

2.e Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal cycle link

  • It will not be possible to cycle on Constitution St.
    • The Active Travel community first raised this issue during the initial consultations.
  • Initially TT applied for Sustrans funding, and has been going through options appraisals.
  • The stakeholder group (including reps from community councils) had not met for several months, but TT convened it to consider the top three proposed routes.
    • These will be made public in due course and so are not minuted here.
    • However, a preferred route was chosen by the stakeholder group.
  • AECOM now needs to create more detailed design, probably covering 2 variants.
    • These will then go out to consultation. Consultation will allow other proposals to be made.
  • TT’s aim is for Leith to gain an asset, rather than design solely for cyclists.
    • CCTT very much supported the idea of a local asset.
  • The focus is on the spinal route, but local connections (including pedestrian use) that feed in will not be ignored.
  • CEC’s Active Travel team will be involved in this, and a phased approach will be used.
    • That is, TT will deliver part of a Leith masterplan, and AT will deliver other parts over time, using other budgets.

3 TM Discussions

TT showed a draft, indicative high-level drawing of the construction phasing.

3.a General points

  • Once notice to proceed has been issued, TT will publish the construction phasing plan – including dates.
    • The completion date is still expected to be Q1 2023. This is when trams would start taking passengers.
  • Enabling works from London Rd to Manderson St will be to enable TM, e.g. creating a city-bound running lane for buses.
    • Some of this work will change footpaths, move associated lighting, phone boxes etc. Other parts include more digs to explore how utilities can be diverted.
    • But there will be traffic flowing in both directions along LW at all times. All signalised crossings will remain.
  • Final drawings are due soon. They can then be discussed with CCTT.
    • Dates will be provided once notice to proceed has been issued.
  • TM on LW for enabling works will be continuous. However, it will be organised in 4 parts.
    • Only 2 non-contiguous parts (i.e. 1 and 3, 1 and 4, 2 and 4) can be worked on simultaneously.
  • TT needs to consider what will happen between the end of enabling works and the start of construction works.
    • TT can only finalise and publish this once all such plans have been finalised.
    • However, the intention is that parts will be opened as soon as their enabling works are finished.

3.b Constitution St TM

  • This is being considered in several sections:
    • Foot of the Walk to Laurie St, to enable access to Kirkgate House at all times.
    • Laurie St to Coatfield Lane
    • Coatfield Lane to Queen Charlotte St (This is in phase 2, to enable access to Coatfield Lane at all times.)
    • Queen Charlotte St to Constitution Place, with subsections:
      • Queen Charlotte St to Baltic St
      • Baltic St to Constitution Place.
  • All relevant TM will start around 15 November, but junctions will not be blocked.
  • Drawings are being checked by TT, SFM, the emergency services, LB and other CEC functions before they go to TMRP.
    • CCTT is welcome to examine hard copy of the drawings once notice to proceed has been issued.

3.b.i Foot of the Walk to Coatfield Lane

Timeline: This work will occur from November 2019 to April 2021.

  • This section will be closed except to construction traffic and emergency services.
    • Access to Kirkgate House will be maintained.
  • There are no marked disabled parking spaces in this section.
  • A footpath must be closed due to work on South Leith Parish Church’s wall.
    • Hence there will be suitable crossing points that comply with needs of disabled people etc.
    • Access to the church will be maintained by various means/routes.
  • Bus routes 16 and 12 will be diverted. (Details will be provided asap.)
  • TT aims not to divert the main flow of traffic along side-streets.
  • There will be relevant signage and communications via the website etc.
  • CCTT asked whether TT could supply diversion details to GoogleMaps and satellite-navigation suppliers.
    • TT responded that there is a relevant process.
    • Action: TT to look into this
  • Coatfield Lane will be controlled using traffic-lights.
  • Work will also cross many private accesses.
    • SFN has been offering owners alternative parking provision, by getting use of other nearby land.
    • The Council as Roads Authority has powers to close all accesses however there is a contract obligation on the contractor to provide alternatives
  • One of the communication tasks is to deter parking in ways that would block diversions or otherwise cause problems.
    • This will include using variable signage out with the area, so cars are less likely to be in the area.
  • Domestic waste bins will be either moved to the end of the works, or side streets.
    • Bins will be placed in a location where refuse lorries can collect. If required these will be moved by the operatives..
  • Traffic flow into Great Junction St at the Foot of the Walk will not be impeded.
    • Detailed traffic modelling is in progress to understand how this will be achieved through further phases

3.b.ii Queen Charlotte St to Constitution Place

Timeline: This work will occur from November 2019 to October 2020.

  • This is to enable access to Coatfield Lane at all times.
  • Traffic management will go on this area around 15 November.
  • In this section, CS will be fully closed to traffic, but the footpath will remain open.
  • Bernard St/Baltic St junction will have two running lanes and pedestrian crossings at all times.
    • The enabling works will include moving Rabbie Burns (who will get cleaned), and moving the running lanes (and associated TM) as needed to complete utility-work and tram-work north and south of the centre of the junction.

3.b.iii Queen Charlotte St to Maritime Lane

  • This subsection of CS will also have full closure, but Maritime Lane will be kept in operation throughout.
    • A series of drawings of bin-locations will be published, along with a pamphlet and on-street signage (also about loading, logistics etc).
      • There will be a logistics hub on Mitchell St.

3.b.iv Baltic St to Constitution Place

  • As at other junctions, running lanes will move north and south as needed to enable work north and south of the centre of the junction. There will be a signal at Constitution Place.
  • Parking may be changed if it causes problems with deliveries or for residents.
  • Training of construction workers will include them being eyes and ears to understand and report what is not working.
    • Construction workers are contractually forbidden from parking in side-streets.
      • There will be a large yard (including parking spaces for construction workers) within the area.
      • CCTT asked whether construction works could be bussed into work, thus reducing problems with parking.
      • TT replied that this is used frequently by constructors on other projects. However, there is no legal sanction preventing construction workers from parking where it is legal to do so. While contractors can use disciplinary procedures to deter unwelcome parking by their staff, it is better to make such parking unattractive.
      • Also, TT will react quickly to unwelcome parking, and is aware that such problems will arise occasionally.
  • CCTT suggested that people like helpful diagrams.
    • The phasing plan will show how construction areas will overlap.
  • CCTT asked for publication of progress GANTT charts to enable (public) understanding of planned progress, especially when work-phases are due to overlap.

4 Other construction discussions

TT showed a draft pictorial cross-section of how LW work will appear. A similar drawing is being prepared for CS.

  • CCTT asked for these to be published.

5 Communications

TT has a very detailed communications plan. Communications methods will include

  • face to face/logistics hubs/on street
  • ‘meet the team’ events
  • tram information points
  • direct mail
  • contact centre (handling phone and social media conversations)
  • email newsletter
  • website
  • hoardings and advertisements
  • press/media handling

There will be messaging about mitigations during enabling works on CS, and (probably) LW. This should start around 7-8 October, including both generic messaging and specific messaging about CS, e.g. about buses, bins.

  • Messaging will be targeted to relevant people and businesses.
  • Residents can tell logistics hubs ‘I have a delivery from X on date/time Y/Z’’ and logistics staff will facilitate it.
  • TT is keen to be digital-first. All relevant information will be on the website, which will be monitored to keep it useful.
    • There are ~1500 residents and 400 businesses signed up for mailing.
      • TT may be able to section the emailing list by area, so residents and businesses receive only relevant info.
      • There will be sections of the website with information for different areas.
  • TT will advise CCTT about details of the the comms plan once notice to proceed has been issued.

6 Other discussions

  • Final design: there has been little change in terms of public look and feel. However, there are engineering changes:
    • For example, track-slab depth and drainage levels are changing from indicative versions to actualities.
    • Hence detailed design is not yet finished.
    • The TICZ is complete, so Morrisons can do their work.
    • There are three stages to the design process: outline, developed, detailed.
      • The latter includes presence/absence and types of gullies.
  • CCTT advised that TT not only communicates work in progress, diversions etc, but also the asset that Leith/Edinburgh will gain, so that people have some hope.
  • There was discussion of the types of drawings that are ready and are in progress.
    • For example, some TM drawings are not yet at TMRP-approved detailed stage.

6.a Material changes to project timeline, if any

Constitution Street: detailed overview

  • FOTW to Coatfield Nov 19 to April 2021
  • Queen Charlotte St to Constitution Place Nov 2019 to Oct to 2020
    • This is to allow access to Coatfield at all times
    • TM goes on around 15 Nov

7 Future meetings (post ECI): dates, topics and attendance

  • CCTT recommended not meeting in October, because CCs will be going through elections.
    • Hence some CCTT members may no longer be CC members, and some CCs may cease to exist.
    • Also, ECI ends 15 October 15.
  • TT responded that it wants to widen these meetings to become a community engagement forum.
    • However TT’s gut feeling is that these meetings work well, so it wants to keep them going as-is until Christmas.
    • It doesn’t want to separate them into meetings for individual CCs, because there will be common issues and (hopefully) positive aspects that should be used throughout.
    • Hence it would prefer to meet in October, given that go-live will be around 2 weeks before the October meeting.
    • This would enable CCTT to give timely feedback on comms etc.
    • An interim meeting on or around 15 October was suggested.
    • This (or the end-of-October meeting) could also examine effectiveness of comms about enabling works
  • CCTT acknowledged the advantages of CCs working together. It favoured monthly meetings, as happen now.
    • TT acknowledged the trust that now existed between TT and current CCTT members.
    • TT wants to keep being open and honest with CCTT via these ‘useful’ meetings.
    • TT thanked CCTT members for their helpful input.
  • Action: CCTT members to discuss how it will work after the CC elections.

Proposed Carriageway Resurfacing Works – Duncan Place and Great Junction Street

The carriageways on Duncan Place & Great Junction Street (between Cables Wynd and Pirrie Street) will be resurfaced during August in advance of the work to extend the tram line.  The resurfacing work will commence on both streets on Monday 12th August with Duncan Place resurfacing to last for 2-3 days while Great Junction Street will take slightly longer at 5-6 days.

Duncan Place will be fully closed to vehicles for the resurfacing work (access available for residents parking) while a one-way system will be set up for the work on Great Junction Street using Cables Wynd and Henderson Street.

There will also be some minor footway works next week (in advance of the resurfacing work) on Duncan Place to reinstate a footway buildout for the school crossing patrol officer, unblock and clean out the drainage, renew some old pedestrian guardrail and remove any redundant street furniture.

Click on the picture for more information.

 

Community Councils Together on Trams: Minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 6 June 2019

Leith Links Community Council is a member of ‘Community Councils Together on Trams’ alongside Leith Central Community CouncilLeith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council and New Town & Broughton Community Council. CCTT is the coalition of Community Councils who meet regularly to discuss, scrutinise and influence the intended continuation of the Edinburgh Tram system to Newhaven.

Actions and decisions are red italic.

1 Abbreviations

BAFO = best and final offer LLCC = Leith Links Community Council
CCTT = Community Councils Together on Trams LW = Leith Walk
CEC = City of Edinburgh Council NTBCC = New Town & Broughton Community Council
CPZ = controlled parking zone OBC = outline business case
CS = Constitution St POLHA = Port of Leith Housing Association
ECI = early contractor involvement SPC = swept-path contract
EIA = environmental impact assessment TAPOG = CEC’s tram all-party oversight group
FBC = full business case TfE = Transport for Edinburgh
ISC = infrastructure and systems contract TN = Trams to Newhaven project
LCCC = Leith Central Community Council TRO = traffic regulation order
LHNCC = Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council TT = trams team

TAPOG is CEC’s leader and vice-leader, CEC’s transport convenor and vice-convenor, and transport spokespersons from each party

2 Welcome, introductions

2.a Attendance

Angus Hardie CCTT/LL CC Harald Tobermann CCTT/LCCC
Rob Leech TT/TN project Bruce Ryan CCTT minutes secretary
Jennifer Marlborough CCTT/LHNCC Darren Wraight TT/CEC
Andrew Mackenzie CCTT/LLCC

2.b Apologies

Rob Levick

3 Update from CCTT: new question/queries

NB D Wraight provided responses in advance of the meeting.

It is sensible to CC emails to RL and/or DW to the TN email address, to allow for RL and DW being on holiday.

3.a Concerns about mooted tree removal between Manderston and Smith to facilitate Leith Walk lane closures during construction

3.a.i DW’s pre-meeting response

The project team has always stated that to accommodate the traffic management installation on Leith Walk, enabling works would be required to achieve the 3 lane closure, running lane and bus infrastructure. These works will predominantly be on the east side of Leith Walk however localised areas may be required on the west. As part of the development of traffic management through ECI this will be developed and briefed through our ECI meeting.

I have been in direct communication with a resident adjacent to Inchkeith House about the trees outside their property since last summer and gave them a commitment that we would try and protect these trees however I could not confirm this until the ECI period. We are now working with the contractor to develop this further and we can discuss further tomorrow.

3.a.ii Discussion

The matter was discussed and RL reiterated that the projects default position is to avoid having to remove trees, however, there may be instances where this is unavoidable and in these cases the project will seek to replace the trees removed.

3.b Concerns about mooted rollout of tactile pavement/bike lane divider trialled at Shrub Place

3.b.i DW’s pre-meeting response

The original proposal as per the consultation drawings last year was that the cycleway was to tie into and match the existing Leith programme design. However, through the consultation various members of the public, the active travel community including Sustrans, Living Streets Edinburgh Access Panel, Spokes and Transform Scotland have stated they wish the new infrastructure to be grade separated similar to the Leith Street design. It will be good to understand the view of CCTT tomorrow evening.

3.b.ii Discussion

CCTT is keen to ensure all key stakeholders have bought in to the surface finishes on the project and that the Edinburgh Access Panel is consulted fully. Concerns were raised by CCTT that the Leith Street works had taken a very long time and looked expensive. DW explained that the geometry on Leith Street is challenging and that the project will not face the same issues.

3.c Concerns about Easter Road damage to property and pollution during construction diversions

3.c.i DW’s pre-meeting response

Although traffic volumes are anticipated to increase on Easter Road due to diversions the effects of ground borne vibration from the carriageway is very unlikely to cause damage to properties. A number of studies have been undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory, and none of those which I have read indicate any damage being experience in buildings as a result of ground borne vibration from the road.

BS7385 details that the threshold of significant effect is 10mm/s (peak particle velocity at building foundation) in relation to intermittent vibration but hen considering continuous vibration it is generally accepted that the guide values should be reduced by up to 59% (i.e. 5 mm/s for continuous vibration).

Research into this area has noted that the levels in buildings close to heavily trafficked roads rarely exceeds 2 mm/s and are typically below 1 mm/s.

In terms of pollution CEC’s scientific staff will continue to monitor air quality on Easter Road which will be supported by the project collecting proxy data.

3.c.ii Discussion

HT noted that people can feel and see the vibrations, including on Pilrig St. They are concerned that individual buildings may be affected. AM noted that Constitution St residents are also feeling the vibrations.

RL responded that there are two topics: (i) additional traffic on Easter Rd, but this is much less than would cause damage to buildings; (ii) potential damage to buildings along the route from construction works such as piling.

Hence TT plans to externally survey all of the buildings on the route (not the side-streets) as they are now. In more sensitive areas, or in locations where work (e.g. piling, breaking up concrete slaps) is more likely to cause stronger vibrations, there may also be internal surveys. The survey will be done before construction starts. The method will be in place by the end of August. There will also be monitoring of vibrations: if they exceed certain thresholds, work will cease until suitable mitigation measures are found.

Piling for the central reservation masts will go as deep as is necessary. Where possible, the bases of masts will rest on bedrock. Where bedrock is too deep, they will be supported only by deep concrete foundations. (This is known as ‘gravity base’.) Hence ground investigations are currently under way to ascertain where bedrock-based and gravity-based work is needed, and hence the extent of utility diversions needed.

There was discussion of types of piling. The ‘screw’ type (‘continuous auger’) is used on softer ground. Rock augers are used to drill into rock.

If damage is caused, the owners will receive recompense from insurance placed directly by the council on behalf of the project. There are incentives within the insurance arrangements for the contractor to minimise damage.

DW noted that pollution monitoring on Easter Rd will include the continued use of existing monitors. In addition, TT will use proxy data, i.e. traffic speeds and volumes are accepted predictors of vehicle-caused pollution.

There was discussion of whether a bridge over the Powderhall rail line at Easter Road needs strengthening. If it does, this will be carried out by CEC as part of its normal roads obligation. It was noted that one arch of the bridge has already been strengthened with permanent scaffolding, and that pavements have been widened to move the main load away from the bridge edges. Concerning bridges on Leith Walk, although Atkins has already looked into whether they need strengthening, the contractor will need to undertake further investigations as part of the detailed design work.

3.d Removal of roundabout at the foot of Easter Road

AH and AM stated that LLCC and its residents are very concerned about this. AH acknowledged CEC’s response to such concerns, but stated that not all concerns had been alleviated. AH recognised that there needs to be a solution to the extra traffic during construction but suggested that the current plan for traffic-lights is not a long-term solution. DW responded that there is a desire to promote active travel, and that active-travel exponents (e.g. Sustrans, Spokes) had recently commended the current plans.

HT suggested that traffic will not flow around the roundabout as easily during tram construction as it does now. DW responded that TT initially modelled traffic during construction, and predicted problems at the existing roundabout due to increased northbound traffic not being able to get onto the roundabout due to heavy traffic also entering the roundabout from Lochend Rd travelling along Duke Street. Hence during construction, it would be necessary to replace the roundabout with a temporary signalised junction. DW then consulted with CEC traffic staff (e.g. road safety, active travel, safer routes to school), who have long wanted to improve this junction. Hence the ‘temporary’ signalised junction will become permanent due to CEC wishes, and according to CEC standards.

AH noted that there had been poor consultation/information about this project.

3.e Roadworks information

There was concern that roadworks signage does not inform when work will start or how long it will last. DW responded that TT is trying to give advance notice of ground investigation (GI) work, and that full information on such work is on TT’s website, that there has been ‘vast’ amounts of communication, and that there are limits on what can be done of 3-day pieces of work.

4 Update from TT team

4.a Progress on CEC work on multi-year environmental cost/benefits post tram

4.a.i DW’s pre-meeting response

I have previously discussed this will Hannah and I will ask her to respond separately to HT.

4.a.ii Discussion

HT stated that he had previously been promised data. RL stated that HT/CCTT were due to provide specific questions. DW stated that at the previous meeting, this topic should ‘come off the table’ (see item 2.a of that meeting’s minutes). HT reiterated that he/CCTT wish to know what the predicted environmental gain from the tram project is. RL responded that TT is trying to minimise spend, and that this is not part of its planned spend. There was discussion of the aims and objectives of the tram project: RL acknowledged that environmental benefits are one part of the overall aim but that there are also other benefits arising from the project.

4.b Meeting with senior staff (both contractors) during EC]

TT wishes ‘to bring the contractor to this table’ but DW wishes to ‘bottom out’ other issues first. After that, TT will choose appropriate contractor representatives to attend these meetings. Action: TT to bring contractor rep to the next meeting.

4.c Update on ground investigation works

These are progressing according to the programme on TT’s website: work has started on Elm Row, and Constitution St. (This was the most difficult piece of traffic management.). There were no complaints here, and work finished today.

Unfortunately, the letter from TT implied that Constitution St work might take a month. RL agreed that this letter could have been clearer, and steps will be taken to avoid repetition of this issue.

HT asked about work on Leith Walk, near Brunswick St. DW explained that two trial holes are to be dug at Shrub Hill in the next week or so, that such holes will only be dug in the central reservation, and that lane-closures on wide streets are unlikely.

4.d Update on Edinburgh Street Design Guidance and latest bus stop/lane design additions

Atkins are carrying out a compliance check that the current design fits published Edinburgh guidelines. (Other guidelines are still in development.) This will be made public once DW has had time to read the report he received today.

4.e Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders

DW explained that these can last up to 18 months. TT will institute a ‘blanket’ TTRO to allow TT/the contractor to immediately change traffic management as reality requires. TT/the contractor will communicate exactly what it is going to do. Traffic management will still need approval, via the traffic management review panel.

4.f Utilities work embargo

An embargo on utilities work will be instituted in the same streets covered by the TTRO, to prevent other organisations disrupting TT work. This area will be added to the Scottish Roadworks Register, so utilities companies can easily know that the streets are under embargo, so they must contact the relevant roads authority (Edinburgh Council). They will then be informed that they must contact DW. TT is engaging with this holistically, covering the wide area that is likely to be affected by the tram work.

This follows the normal approval process in which council locality engineers can only approve works if they fit with what else is occurring. (If there are concerns, they can escalate these.)

To try to pre-empt emergencies, TT has had many conversations with utility companies to find what assets they have in the main arterial routes, and to pre-arrange appropriate actions. There will be constant monitoring by DW, locality engineers and the contractor.

HT requested that accurate (including accurate dates) signage is maintained daily, e.g. if signs are blown over at night, they are re-erected early the next day. DW stated that this will be undertaken by the contractor, with TT monitoring this. The contractor will have a traffic management manager, responsible for TM wherever the contractor works. Contractors are contractually obliged to take heed of weather warnings, and allocated needed resources, e.g. to re-erect signage. TT will have quality control inspectors who have traffic management experience: they will check site safety, including traffic management, daily.

There will be a phone-number and an email address for general and emergency communications, both staffed 24/7. Also, CCTT is welcome to contact DW at any time.

4.g Business logistics survey

This has been issued electronically, and so far has received 35 responses. The survey will be kept open for two more weeks. After this, TT will visit businesses to try to obtain 100% response rate, and hence gather all the information it needs to finalise the business support strategy. Visits will be undertaken by TT stakeholder liaison officers or skilled third-party professionals, to maintain good relationships between TT and businesses. Leith Walk and Constitution St businesses have already been contacted. There was discussion of the range of engagement by businesses, and their needs.

Logistics hubs locations are defined in the contract: they will be in side streets on the east of Leith Walk. Their locations mostly are available on the TT website, in the traffic management drawings. The look and feel of the hubs is to be decided.

Transport hubs are car parks, holding up to ~60 cars. There will be three at any time. However, these will move as work progresses. Indicative positions are available on the TT website.

4.h Bus diversions

DW has conversed with Lothian Buses to ascertain where LB believes buses will go, based on previous experience. The relevant roads have been assessed by TT and LB, to find potential issues. The capital roads team has also assessed these. This has led to some of the current road-resurfacing work.

LB will try to minimise route-changes. There will be stops along the diversions, despite previous poor experiences suffered by CCTT members. Changes will be subject to overview by the traffic management review panel. There is a series of meetings between CEC, LB, and the traffic management review panel.

HT reported he is now the chair of the Edinburgh Bus-Users Group. He asked when timetables will be available. DW responded that these cannot be made until traffic management has been approved. If normal stops are out of use, there will be signs stating where the nearest functional stop is. LB will also use its social media to publish these. DW acknowledged that passengers need information on changes asap, even though it cannot be published right now. TT has supplied the contractor with traffic management constraints, e.g. Pilrig St and McDonald Rd cannot be closed simultaneously. The contractor now has to develop traffic management details that follow these constraints. [Then LB can make divert its services according to these details.] There will be a minimum notice period for such changes. This is currently being discussed with LB and will be in line with their standard operating practice in other parts of the city.

HT reported that he has been told that LB has provisional tramwork diversion timetable information but will not yet publish it for reasons of ‘commercial confidentiality’. He also argued that any diversions should be constant throughout the construction period. RL confirmed TT has not received anything from LB and that one of the reasons for adopting the traffic management strategy was to provide certainty to the general public for longer periods of time than would otherwise be the case if traffic management were deployed in small areas.

J Marlborough reported that a map on TT’s website continually crashed. Action: TT to get this sorted.

4.i Bus trackers

DW has found that the current bus-trackers are obsolete, and that CEC has issued a tender for a new system. Once it is know what the new system will be, TT will liaise to ensure that whatever it does is compatible with the new system.

4.j Bins

DW has met with CEC waste services to develop what will happen during the ECI period. A plan will be developed to maintain waste collection during construction. It would be best for Gareth Barwell (CEC waste services manager) to come to the August CCTT/TT meeting, by which time the temporary (i.e. during construction) plan has been developed.

5 CCTT/TT workstreams during ECI: update on progress/status

Covered in various items above

6 Meeting dates during ECI period

These dates were agreed: 27 June, 29 August, 26 September (last Thursdays of each month)

 

Click on the picture for more information.

Community Councils Together on Trams: Note of meeting held on 25 April 2019

Leith Links Community Council is a member of ‘Community Councils Together on Trams’ alongside Leith Central Community CouncilLeith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council and New Town & Broughton Community Council. CCTT is the coalition of Community Councils who meet regularly to discuss, scrutinise and influence the intended continuation of the Edinburgh Tram system to Newhaven.


1. Welcome, introductions, minutes

2. Update TT team

a. Progress on CEC work on multi-year environmental cost/benefits post-tram

  • Noted: this is being progressed by Hannah Ross (HR) who will advise

b. Confirmation of official ECI period (given the delayed mobilisation)

Noted: ECI is underway, but not all senior contractor staff are in Edinburgh. ECI will end 9 October 2019. Lane closures with heras and barrier will commence from 10 October 2019. To confirm the track slab design the contractor will carry out ground and site investigation along the route[note i]. This will be carried out via trail holes and bores. These works will be carried out under minor traffic management lasting on average 5 days per location.

  • Noted: DW as ‘in-house’ stakeholder rep, and contractors are co-locating to 200 Bonnington Rd (200BR) for the period (perhaps beyond); other members of TT: HR (ca 1 day at 200BR) and RL (as required at 200BR) based at their respective main offices. New TT communication person is being recruited. Client team includes CEC tram team, Anturas, Turner Townsend, Atkins.
  • Agreed: DW to provide diagram of all entities and key personnel involved and glossary of acronyms
  • Noted: detailed trader logistics survey in progress; more info at next meeting

3. Update CCTT

  • Noted: HT had meetings with Paul Lawrence, Hannah Ross and George Lowder to prepare the ground for CCTT/TT meetings during ECI period
  • Noted: the role of the Traffic Management Review Panel (TMRP): includes representation of some but not all relevant groups (e.g. pedestrians and bus passengers – as opposed to bus operator – don’t have a dedicated voice)[note ii]
  • Agree ‘shopping list’ (see below) priority, scope, input required, date decision required
  • Agreed: see bold items in table below

4. Agree future meeting dates during ECI period

  • Agreed: monthly meetings at 200BR on last THU, apart May (date tbc) and July (holiday[note iii]): 29 (tbc) May, 27 June, 29 August, 26 September; meetings beyond September TBA
  • Agreed: due to pace of mobilisation, to meet contractors’ senior staff at June meeting
  • Agreed: to keep an eye on Constitution Street fixing points and pre-works
Priority Topic (subtopic) Scope Input required from Date decision required
TTROs in wider corridor (i.e. including diversion routes and their side streets) There will be a blanket road works embargo.
May meeting business logistics[note iv] TT will share analysis of survey.
bus diversions/stops: this will need LB input The role of TMRP was noted.
Detailed design:
May Meeting: DW to provide info on tracker timing Bus stops/shelters (this will need LB and maybe JCD input) Any bespoke shelters to be provided by JCD; integration with new tracker system (if any) to be confirmed.
June meeting with Gareth Barwell Communal bin locations along the route: may require some infrastructure (example: Albert Street) and changed waste collections procedures (regularity, times outwith tram operation hours) ‘95% complete’
‘open’ (CCTT definition) design items at Shrub Pl, Constitution Street (we discussed best approach) and Ocean Terminal bus logistics and access to private road ‘Shrub Place design issues are a locality issue and are not being dealt with by the project’; Ocean Terminal issue has been resolved
construction period: monitoring/quality control, reporting, communications To be discussed in more detail in future
Utilities: embargo on non-emergency work in wider area (?); clear deadline to complete other work during ECI There is a blanket embargo on such works.

[i] HT note: I seem to recall that exploratory digs would occupy only one lane and last 48 hrs max

[ii] DW note: Major roadworks across the city are coordinated and managed via the City Wide Traffic Management Group (CWTMG); to assist with this process a dedicated Trams to Newhaven Traffic Management Review Panel (TMRP) has been established. Membership of this group is similar to the CWTMG including Emergency Services, Transport Operators and Council Officers. Although not on the approving body, traffic management will be discussed with the Active Travel Forum which has membership from Living Streets, Spokes, Edinburgh Access Panel, Transform Scotland and Sustrans.

[iii] HT note: this leaves only four meetings to address a hefty ‘shopping list’

[iv] While operators contacted by SLTN were all positive about the project, they expressed concern about disruption to deliveries as well as a general drop in footfall for the duration of the works. Communication from the council was said to be key.
Garry Clark, development manager for Edinburgh at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Local businesses need to be able to plan in order to mitigate the impacts that the tram extension will have upon their businesses. “Whilst the council has gone out to businesses early this time around, firms are telling us that they need clarity on the timescale of the work to enable them to put these plans in place. (https://sltn.co.uk/2019/04/18/council-must-be-vocal-on-trams)

Community Councils Together on Trams: Minutes of meeting held on Thursday 21 February 2019

Leith Links Community Council is a member of ‘Community Councils Together on Trams’ alongside Leith Central Community CouncilLeith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council and New Town & Broughton Community Council. CCTT is the coalition of Community Councils who meet regularly to discuss, scrutinise and influence the intended continuation of the Edinburgh Tram system to Newhaven.

 

Abbreviations

BAFO = best and final offer LLCC = Leith Links Community Council
CCTT = Community Councils Together on Trams LW = Leith Walk
CEC = City of Edinburgh Council NTBCC = New Town & Broughton Community Council
CPZ = controlled parking zone OBC = outline business case
CS = Constitution St POLHA = Port of Leith Housing Association
ECI = early contractor involvement SPC = swept-path contract
EIA = environmental impact assessment TAPOG = CEC’s tram all-party oversight group
FBC = full business case TfE = Transport for Edinburgh
ISC = infrastructure and systems contract TN = Trams to Newhaven project
LCCC = Leith Central Community Council TRO = traffic regulation order
LHNCC = Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council TT = trams team

TAPOG is CEC’s leader and vice-leader, CEC’s transport convenor and vice-convenor, and transport spokespersons from each party

1 Welcome, introductions

1.a Attendance

Charlotte Encombe CCTT/LCCC Rob Levick CCTT/LHNCC Harald Tobermann CCTT/LCCC
Angus Hardie CCTT/LL CC Jennifer Marlborough CCTT/LHNCC Bruce Ryan CCTT minutes secretary
Allan Jack CCTTNTBCC Andrew Mackenzie CCTT/LLCC Darren Wraight TT/CEC
Rob Leech TT/TN project Carol Nimmo CCTT/NTBCC

1.b Apologies

None

2 Update from TT

Rob Leech outlined the next steps for the final business case (FBC), and the main points of its contents.

2.a Next steps

The FBC is on (post-BAFO) schedule. It goes to

  • CEC’s transport and environment committee on 29 February
  • CEC’s finance and resources TEC committee on 7 March, to consider procurement and contracts
  • Full council on 14 March.

2.b Contents

Minuter’s note: subjunctive (‘would’, ‘should’) is used where relevant because many things will only happen if CEC approves the FBC.

2.b.1 Background

  • This project is about completion of phase 1a of the original tram scheme.
    • This should have been completed years ago, i.e. along with the existing line from the airport to York Place.
  • The existing line is performing ‘extremely well’, e.g. 7m passengers in 2018.

2.b.2 Contents

  • The FBC has been updated (from the outline business case [OBC]) to take account of tendered prices, inflation, design-changes (resulting from consultations) and the ‘support for business’ package.
  • The FBC has a section on lessons learned from building the existing line. This includes information on retaining knowledge from that project .
  • It has been prepared in accordance with Scottish Government and UK Government guidelines.
  • It contains much on the strategic case, i.e. reasons for building this extension.
    • Edinburgh’s population is set to grow by 20% by 2039.
    • Employment will also grow by 7% by 2022.
    • There is low car-ownership in the Leith area and the Leith Walk corridor.
    • CEC wishes less car-ownership/more sustainable transport, i.e. shift from private motor vehicles to public transport.
    • There is very high population on the corridor where this extension would run.
    • There is content on connectivity between employment centres, and employment during and after construction.
    • There is content on sustainable development at the waterfront.
      • Good public transport enables reduced car-dependency in such areas, hence enabling different life-choices.
      • That is, it allows people to live near their work; it reduces need for commuting and urban sprawl.
      • This would lead to improved air-quality in the tram corridor.
    • The extension would enhance Leith and Newhaven as destinations.
    • Hence chapter 3 (the strategic case) covers how this project would
      • follow UK treasury guidance (the ‘green book’), and CEC policies and strategies, e.g. local development plan
      • link 3 out of four economic centres in Edinburgh: airport/international business gateway/Edinburgh park; city centre; Leith waterfront. (Tram would not serve the SE quarter economic centre.)
    • Overall, the FBC presents tram as an enabler for growth that would not occur without it.
  • Concerning the economic case:
    • The capital cost is set to be £196m. (It was £165m in the OBC.)
      • This allows for risk, using a quantitative analysis using ‘green book’ methods.
      • It includes an amount for contractor-pricing. This was initiated by the collapse of Carillion, leading to contractors undertaking much more due diligence when tendering.
      • It also includes inflation and design-changes.
      • It also includes the ‘support for business’ package.
      • There will also be two contracts, hence increased contract-management overheads. (Management will be by a blended team, including a delivery unit containing experienced light-rail consultants, and senior CEC officials such as D Wraight. At peak, there will be around 30 CEC managers in this project.)
      • Early contractor involvement (ECI) adds some management overheads, and adds 6 months to the programme.
    • In addition to the £196m, £10m has been added for optimism bias (OB), following government guidance.
      • This takes the total cost to £207·3m, giving a benefit to cost ratio of 1·4:1. (In public transport schemes, this ration is expected to be between 1·2: 1 and 2:1, because public transport has quite high construction and operational/maintenance costs. The OBC had 1·64, but the majority of the change here is due to changed government guidance on costing time.)
      • At the start of a process (before design starts), the ‘green book’ mandates a large OB (66%). However, there is then a sliding scale based on Network Rail’s GRIP design process. This scale moves from optimism bias to quantitative risk analysis (QRA). SO FBCs should be base costs + an amount from QRA. (Economic cases should include OB, but the guidelines are ambiguous about inclusion of OB in financial cases. TT has assumed 6% OB. The OBC had 20% OB in its economic case, but not in its financial case.)
      • Also, professor Bent Flyvbjerg and colleagues have an alternative method for calculating risk, based on an ‘outsider’ view using information from similar projects about projected and actual costs. (The UK and Scottish Governments do not currently accept this method.) Flyvbjerg and colleagues calculated this project’s capital cost as £257m, not £207m. However, they recognise that the project is very advanced from the initial design stage, that some utilities have already been moved, and that this project is an extension of an existing line, not de novo. These could reduce the overall cost but such reductions are not part of their model.
      • Hence £50m (£257m – £207m) has been earmarked as a contingency to be managed by CEC’s head of finance and a finance and risk subcommittee (reporting to the project board).
      • The impact of such drawdown would increase the 2024-27 borrowing from £1·9m to £14·8m. This level of borrowing would be repaid by 2037.
      • The FBC hence considers mitigation, e.g. borrowing at less than 4·1%, moving away from parity of fares between bus and tram, and optimising tram maintenance and infrastructure costs.
    • The economic case is also based on patronage forecasts of 15·7m in 2023 (first year of operation).
      • This comes from high population densities and increased development on the corridor, e.g. Cala development.
      • Increased patronage would come from bus and car, i.e. people would use trams rather than buses.
      • Suitable wording in the FBC has been agreed with Lothian Buses (LB), recognising that this project is part of an integrated public transport framework. This section also covers what LB needs to remain robust during and after construction. These include clear radial routes into the city, e.g. double-red lines at the Roseburn shops. Hence LB wants CEC to enforce route-clarity more strongly than is done today.
      • (C Encombe suggested that implementation of a CPZ in LCCC’s area would help enhance route-clarity.)
      • (H Tobermann suggested that historically CEC has not enforced well in the past, and questioned why LB has not asked for route-clarity enforcement previously.)
    • This extension was always the part that would make Edinburgh trams financially positive.
    • There are also anticipated wider benefits, which may add between 15 and 40% to the economic case. (There is no agreed method for assessing their financial value, so they have not been monetised in the FBC.)
      • These benefits include employment opportunities, connectivity (agglomeration of businesses), linking brownfield sites with other economic centres to provide more opportunities, higher population densities.
  • The financial case centres on future tram revenues, but also relies on £20m dividend over 11 years from Lothian buses.
    • LB already pays a dividend to CEC.
    • In early years during construction, there is drawdown of money, but no revenue [from ticket sales].
    • There would be a cashflow-issue (2024 to 2027) of £1·9m. This would come from CEC’s reserves. Later, revenues should grow, enabling replenishment of CEC’s reserves.
    • This use of reserves would cause an opportunity cost. (Examination of this was inspired by the Hardie enquiry.)
    • The extension would give Edinburgh £395m economic benefit (net present value) over 60 years.
      • The FBC includes downward sensitivity-testing, around patronage and cost of borrowing. This assumes 4·1% interest, but CEC can borrow more cheaply than that. It also assumes no loss of revenue from stoppage.
  • The FBC also includes a commercial case.
    • This covers ECI and contract-conclusion.
  • The FBC also includes a management case.
    • This covers how the project will be implemented, e.g. heritage and archaeology work, large work-sites, no double-digging, support for businesses, governance.
    • There is also a section on supplementary projects. It has been agreed that CEC would fund these (e.g. from its active travel and capital roads budgets) in parallel with the tram-work. However, these are outwith the tram-project’s limit of deviation and are hence not part of the FBC. It is very likely that TT will deliver these supplementary projects.
      • The supplementary projects do not include integrated ticketing.

2.b.3 Q&A

Minuter’s note: the information in some answers has been included at relevant points in the above, so is not repeated here.

  • The cost of the completion phase is ¼ of the cost of the initial phase because the initial phase is ‘extraordinarily expensive’. Building from lessons learnt from the original tram project, firstly the contracts for this project use NEC industry standards. (The contracts for the original project were bespoke.) This form of contract mandates that contractors cannot stop work if there are (contractual) issues, and that contractors will continue to be paid.
    • Secondly there are large work sites, so contractors can (and are contractually required to) continue work in other, non-problematic areas while problems are being resolved.
    • Thirdly, excavations for utility-diversions would not be covered over, and then re-dug to enable construction. Instead, a swept-path process would be used: excavations would be dug, utilities diverted, then construction would occur. Because there would be several stretches of work using this method, if a problem occurs in any area, work can continue in other (parts of) stretches while problems are being resolved.
  • The contracts now use the NEC4 standard, rather than NEC3. The main difference is that NEC4 mandates a project bank account from which main subcontractors are paid directly. Hence, should the main contractor become insolvent, the main subcontractors would continue to be paid. This would also enable ECI.
  • There are two incentive mechanisms in the contracts:
    • During ECI, there is an incentive mechanism to reduce costs: this would benefit both the contractors and CEC.
    • Once construction starts, a ‘pain-gain’ mechanism would start on the Infrastructure & Systems Contract. That is, should costs exceed the target price, CEC would share the costs 50/50 with the contractor up to a threshold of 120% of the target price, thereafter the risk is with the contractor for all the main civil engineering works. Should costs be less than the target price, CEC and the contractor would receive equal shares of such savings. Hence th contractor would have a ‘massive’ incentive to deliver for less than the target price.
    • However, there is no incentive to cut corners. While the contractors are self-certifying. CEC’s technical services (provided by Atkins) will check contractors’ designs as they arrive. Similarly, TT will employ 3 quality-control inspectors (1 during ECI). Their sole responsibility is to be on site all through the work, checking that everything is as per the designs. TT will also inspect the inspections.
  • Price-increases were partly cause by market price-testing. (R Leech is not privy to the actual contractors’ costs for each part of the design.) However, it is very likely that risk has been priced into the costs. There were risk-costs in the OBC’s £165m costs.
    • H Tobermann stated that the construction cost has increased more from the OBC cost than he would expect.
    • R Leech responded that probably as a result of Carillion’s collapse, contractors took a more diligent approach to tendering. RL believes this is a positive step because it means prices are realistic, and contractors really understand what they are taking on. (Too often, they haven’t known, so ‘disasters’ happen during work.) ECI also adds to this positive effect.
  • TT has closely followed the evidence presented to the Hardie enquiry. It has also undertaken its own ‘lessons learnt’ process, based on knowledge from people who were involved in the original work.
    • It was suggested that the people available to this process were only involved in ‘rescuing’ the original project, so they know what went wrong but not what caused this. However, RL stated that people with knowledge of the original project, pre-mediation, are available to advise the project. Physical work would start before the end of 2019. However, ECI work will start before this, leading to some minor road-works and accompanying traffic-management. An outline of the main works is on the TT website.
  • The principles for landscaping designs have been created but detailed designs for areas such as Elm Row have yet to be finalised. This will specify details of trees etc.
  • It needs to be decided whether and how these CCTT/TT meetings will continue. However, RL believes that they have been beneficial. D Wraight stated that other groups have asked how they can be involved in these meetings.
    • H Tobermann suggested that further meetings should cover the timetable and [CCTT’s list of] supplementary projects.
  • Much documentation is being published along with the FBC. Stakeholders will be emailed when the FBC and accompanying documents are published, giving links to them.

Community Councils Together on Trams: Joint statement

Joint statement by Community Councils Together on Trams (CCTT) – a coalition of the four community councils that cover the areas most impacted by the route of the tram extension [which includes Leith Links Community Council].

In advance of Edinburgh Council’s imminent final decision to go ahead with the tram extension to Newhaven, which represents a major intervention in the areas covered by the four Community Councils along the route, CCTT has reviewed the information gathered from documents in the public domain and provided in monthly meetings with the Tram Project Team.

While we continue to support the broad principle and ambitious aims of the tram extension, a number of our concerns have yet to be fully addressed.

We recognise that a strong feeling exists among many people in our communities that this project is being pushed through with undue and unnecessary haste.

We remain sceptical about the absence of sufficiently robust progress or commitment over the following measures which are essential if the tram is to achieve its steep environmental mode-shifting targets and if the collateral damage of the inevitably disruptive construction period is to be reduced.

CCTT seeks firm commitment from Edinburgh Council, Transport Scotland and Transport for Edinburgh for the following project-critical measures:

  1. Fully Integrated Ticketing System (FITS): this is key to achieving a material modal shift from car to public transport (as opposed to the 87% modal shift from bus to tram, as projected in the tram business case)
  2. Staged construction sites, ie avoiding simultaneous closure of (a) Leith Walk, (b) Constitution Street to Bernard Street and (c) Melrose/Ocean Drive to Ocean Way; in parallel, CCTT seek bus priority route deviations with quality temporary bus stops: these two measures are key to minimising disruption to the daily lives of 75,000 residents and 1500 businesses
  3. Controlled Parking Zones along the tram corridor: this is key to preventing the tram corridor from turning into Edinburgh’s largest park and ride area.
  4. Constitution Street: construction of strengthened pavements and the introduction of a streamlined dual permit system for scaffolding, as well as further serious engagement with residents and businesses about the detail of the design for the street.
  5. Early and maximum clarity on the logistics intended to serve local businesses during construction to allow traders (along the tram corridor and – if necessary – along the diversion routes) to plan ahead and make appropriate arrangements that will allow them to survive the inevitable disruption during the construction period.

CCTT has been a valued partner of the Tram Project Team during the months leading up to this point in the process, contributing local knowledge and providing a critical sounding board.

If real progress can be achieved in relation to our key concerns and the above measures, we will stay involved and work constructively with the Tram Project Team during the Early Contractor Involvement and construction periods.

 

 

Community Councils Together on Trams: Minutes of meeting held on Thursday 30 January 2019

Leith Links Community Council is a member of ‘Community Councils Together on Trams’ alongside Leith Central Community CouncilLeith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council and New Town & Broughton Community Council. CCTT is the coalition of Community Councils who meet regularly to discuss, scrutinise and influence the intended continuation of the Edinburgh Tram system to Newhaven.


Abbreviations

BAFO = best and final offer LW = Leith Walk
CCTT = Community Councils Together on Trams NTBCC = New Town & Broughton Community Council
CEC = City of Edinburgh Council OBC = outline business case
CPZ = controlled parking zone POLHA = Port of Leith Housing Association
CS = Constitution St SPC = swept-path contract
ECI = early contractor involvement TAPOG = CEC’s tram all-party oversight group
EIA = environmental impact assessment TfE = Transport for Edinburgh
FBC = full business case TMRP = Traffic Management Review Panel
ISC = infrastructure and systems contract TN = Trams to Newhaven project
LCCC = Leith Central Community Council TRO = traffic regulation order
LHNCC = Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council TT = trams team
LLCC = Leith Links Community Council

TAPOG is CEC’s leader and vice-leader, CEC’s transport convenor and vice-convenor, and transport spokespersons from each party

1 Welcome, introductions

Attendance Apologies
Charlotte Encombe CCTT/LCCC Jennifer Marlborough CCTT/LHNCC Harald Tobermann CCTT/LCCC
Rob Leech TT/TN project Andrew Mackenzie CCTT/LL CC
Rob Levick CCTT/LHNCC Bruce Ryan CCTT minutes secretary
Angus Hardie CCTT/LL CC Darren Wraight TT/CEC

2 Update from TT

2.a Summary of current status

D Wraight noted

  • TT is still on target for its programme, so no amendments are needed to a programme document circulated by HT.
  • TT is building up to Transport & Environment Committee meeting on 28 Feb, and to full Council on 14 March .
  • They still need to complete political briefings, and open a data room for CEC members to scrutinise the business case.

Action CE to forward most recent programme document to BMR.

2.b Supplementary projects

2.b.1 Foot of the Walk to Ocean Terminal options appraisal around active travel

  • Stakeholders convened before Christmas
    • These include active travel groups, POLHA, local elected members and C Encombe as CCTT representative
    • The objective of this meeting was to set key objectives for the appraisal. One of these is affordability criteria.
    • Action: D Wraight to supply agreed key objectivesinfo [AECOM’s slides) to BMR and other CCTT members
      • NB this is not for publication, simply because it is not TT/DW’s document, but the information can be used.
  • Stakeholders reconvened on 14 January with AECOM to consider strategic corridors in this area.
    • Initial suggestions were derived by AECOM from the local development plan, active travel plans, key locations, trip generators etc. Then a workshop considered whether AECOM’s suggestions were correct. (They were.)
    • The strategic corridors are Constitution St, Newkirkgate to Kirkgate, Henderson St, Great Junction St, and east-west routes (Salamander St, Ocean Drive)
    • Then local links into these strategic corridors were considered. Many such links are already on the active travel plan.
    • Debate focussed on Leith Links’ connections with the corridors.
    • POLHA’s input about their properties was useful in this discussion, e.g. to consider use of Links Lane by children
  • Now AECOM will collate information and score each corridor and link against the key objectives.
  • They will report within 6 weeks of 14 January.
  • Then there will be a further discussion, then a public consultation. The format of the consultation depends on the outcomes of preceding steps.
  • AECOM will also provide high-level figures (presumably costs) for the full council meeting in March.
  • However, the other steps, including the consultation, will not be complete until May 2019. At this point, there will be a fully costed and consulted design for this region. It will then be CEC’s decision whether to proceed with construction.
  • This appraisal process has been funded by Sustrans.
  • CEC has not yet funded any construction that might stem from this appraisal process.
    • Sustrans has offered 50% match-funding.
    • Other funding arrangements are also being discussed with Sustrans.

It was noted that C Encombe and/or A Hardie may be CCTT’s representative in relevant fora, and that AECOM might also present to CCTT. There was then a discussion of where is and isn’t cycle-friendly in the area.

2.b.2 Duke St roundabout (bottom of Easter Road)

D Wraight noted that the current roundabout needs to be removed during tram-construction because of extra traffic that will then be using Easter Road. Temporary signals would allow traffic to enter the junction sooner, reducing congestion. Also, CEC transport staff wish to replace the roundabout with a signalised junction to deal with current congestion, but don’t currently have budget to do so. The junction is also considered not to support pedestrians or cyclists.

The predesign is complete, and detailed designs are in progress. Building is due to be completed in summer 2019. It was noted that if there is a TRO, there will be relevant consultation. Active travel aspects will also require some consultation. So DW expects that at minimum, community councils will be consulted

2.b.3 Duncan Place

There are three questions about [work on] this area: (1) Can it be extended to include Academy St and Wellington Place? (2) Can the road condition be improved? (3) What is the final look of these streets to be?

Predesign is in progress, following consultation, by the capital roads team DW anticipates CRT will opt for a renewal (i.e. resurfacing, possibly also look and feel, including maybe reconsideration of one-way systems) of these streets around summer 2019. AECOM is also looking at active travel in this area. This study may also affect the renewal/look and feel work.

2.b.4 Controlled parking zones and other items not [necessarily] on TT’s list

  • C Encombe noted that a Leith CPZ is third priority on CEC’s list of potential CPZs. (Corstorphine 1st, Morningside 2nd.)
    • DW noted that he, A Mackenzie and J Marlborough attended a meeting with local councillors about CS, where CPZs were discussed. Cllr Booth has contacted a relevant CEC official, and received a response, so this topic is ‘open’. DW also noted that despite the priorities, when major projects come online, relevant other/additional features must be considered. Hence the Leith CPZ is ‘open to discussion’. C Encombe noted the community strength about Stead’s Place, and suggested that this strength may influence CPZ decisions. (A Mackenzie noted that CPZ discussion was mostly about Leith Central’s area.)
  • Action: DW to ask Cllr Booth to share with CCTT the reply he received about the CPZ priorities.
  • C Encombe noted that Monty Roy has not received a response about issues affecting her police box. (DW noted that he has received MR’s communication.) Shrub hill work is encroaching onto the pavement, hence affecting MR’s business.
    • DW noted that TT has liaised with all developers along the tram route, and so knows what will impact the tram designs. MR’s issue should be handled by the locality team. DW also noted that despite police boxes are not deemed as fixed buildings, this one is now on TT’s drawings, and that DW would contact MR in the immediate future.
  • J Marlborough noted a new application to build a car-park on Ocean Drive to serve MV Fingal and Port Authority staff The relevant drawing implies the car-park would encroach on the tram route. Action: DW to investigate this potential issue
  • Constitution St
    • DW noted that he met with relevant CEC cllrs, Am and JM about this area. Prior to Xmas, DW was tasked with investigating parking and loading arrangements.
      • It was felt that creating such facilities in the church area was disrespectful and impractical, so the soft landscape area at Kirkgate House (KH) was considered for both parking and some loading facilities.
      • This week, TT’s recommendations around two design options will be taken to TAPOG. In general, option B is likely to be taken forward, with the caveat that other thing must be provided. Option B involves centralised tram-tracks, widening the footpath either side, introduction of a general traffic restriction at some point between Coatfield Lane and Laurie St (hence no parking or loading in this section). It also involves reinforcement of the pavement on the east side of CS to allow use of scaffolding and relevant vehicles directly outside houses. Option A had been rejected by the CS meeting.
      • The time-frame for restrictions is as yet undecided, but some local councillors prefer 7am to 7pm. Such restrictions on traffic are desirable because at peak hours there is much pedestrian use of relevant streets.
      • At TPOG, it was decided that this is part of the TRO considerations, and more work is needed to decide timing.
      • In the soft landscape area adjacent to KH, TT proposes providing loading facilities for up to 3 vehicles.
      • TAPOG has signed off moving forward with option B with loading provision and path-reinforcement before other tram-work starts. It was noted that walls in the CS area are grade A listed and so must be reinstated as is.
    • AM noted the meeting’s consideration of complete bans on traffic on CS. Sizes and weights of cherry-pickers that may be used in practice for inspecting and maintaining CS roofs were discussed. A 3-D model was suggested. He suggested that this is where negotiations over parking, loading, traffic restrictions should begin, rather than end.
    • DW emphasised that TT consulted in summer 2018, noted that strong concerns were raised about CS, met residents to discuss these concerns and hence gone to TAPOG with recommendations resulting from meeting residents.
  • JM asked about the conversion of Ocean Drive junctions from roundabouts to signalised junctions, hence preventing cars making U-turns. DW and RL responded that this issue will be resolved, potentially by the capital roads team removing the central reservation from Ocean Drive when it is resurfaced, and asked for time to go through processes.
  • A Hardie asked about coherence of design, specifically [adverts on] bus shelters, which may enhance TN’s image.
    • DW responded that TT has to perform a ‘massive’ comms task, which would involve the eventual contractors. Work on this is in progress but because the contractor has not yet been selected, this comms task can’t be started yet.
    • RL added that Hannah Ross is co-ordinating matters at senior levels in CEC.
  • The quantum of small business supporthas been signed off by TN’s board, despite low response rates to consultation.
  • Concerning other developments around Western Harbour, the contact is development@edinburgh.gov.uk.
  • TN now involves 127 building-fixing agreements, This will not involve 127 fixings, because there may be more than 1 person per building or group of buildings. Of the 127, currently only 11 are outstanding.

3 Date of next meeting

21 February 2019 (Subsequent meetings are to be agreed.)

Community Councils Together on Trams: Minutes of meeting held on Thursday 10 January 2019

Leith Links Community Council is a member of ‘Community Councils Together on Trams’ alongside Leith Central Community Council, Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council and New Town & Broughton Community Council. CCTT is the coalition of Community Councils who meet regularly to discuss, scrutinise and influence the intended continuation of the Edinburgh Tram system to Newhaven.


Abbreviations

BAFO = best and final offer LW = Leith Walk
CCTT = Community Councils Together on Trams NTBCC = New Town & Broughton Community Council
CEC = City of Edinburgh Council OBC = outline business case
CPZ = controlled parking zone POLHA = Port of Leith Housing Association
CS = Constitution St SPC = swept-path contract
ECI = early contractor involvement TAPOG = CEC’s tram all-party oversight group
EIA = environmental impact assessment TfE = Transport for Edinburgh
FBC = full business case TMRP = Traffic Management Review Panel
ISC = infrastructure and systems contract TN = Trams to Newhaven project
LCCC = Leith Central Community Council TRO = traffic regulation order
LHNCC = Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council TT = trams team
LLCC = Leith Links Community Council

1 Welcome, introductions

1.a Attendance

Charlotte Encombe CCTT/LCCC Andrew Mackenzie CCTT/LLCC
Hannah Ross TT/CEC Angus Hardie CCTT/ LLCC
Darren Wraight TT/CEC Rob Levick CCTT/LHNCC
Jennifer Marlborough CCTT/LHNCC Harald Tobermann CCTT/LCCC

1.a Apologies

Margaret Duffy CCTT/NTBCC Bruce Ryan CCTT minutes secretary
Rob Leech TT

2 Review of critical dates from CCTT

A Data Room will be open to councillors. Final Business Case (FBC) plus supporting documentation will be available to all the councillors in the data room. Procurements process is already complete but not published. Councillors will scrutinise procurement through the Finance & Resources Committee in early March but any decision will be subject to Full Council approval of the FBC.

The FBC will be considered by the Transport & Environment Committee on 28 Feb 2019 wherein councillors may speak and CCs can have a delegation. FBC will be made available to the Press on 22 Feb. On 14 March full council meeting, motions can still be tabled; this may cause postponements or amendments. Political briefings will take place prior this, i.e. presentations, explaining the business case, each party briefed separately and independent councillors separately by CEC.

If the FBC is approved the Council will not award contracts until after a procurement “standstill” period meaning contracts would be signed at the end of March. After contract signing there will be a 5 month Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) stage during which time CCTT will be able to liaise with contractor.

JM was assured that Brexit should not have any effect on the tram construction (other than general confusion).

HR explained to AH that the Hardie inquiry is completely independent from CEC so they have no access. Also the main subject is TIE rather than CEC. However, HR noted that CEC have followed the inquiry throughout and as far as possible have included/are including lessons learned. Whenever Hardie publishes his report CEC will endeavour to learn from that as well.

2.a Identify opportunities for further CCTT input at various stages.

HR confirmed that CEC are following the Government Green Book Guidance in finalising the FBC and in doing so seeking to demonstrate that the project stands up in terms of costs and benefits. HR asks if there anything that CCTT would like to see in the FBC. HT: we see them all as quite important and would like to see them all incorporated into the FBC (refer to update programme/issues list inserted at end of minutes as Appendix)

AM: will FBC be specific about issues along the route? In particular Constitution Street? HR: It will probably be more general. There will be information on traffic and construction management . If there are additional problems we have had to allow in the cost plan for that. It’s also reflected in the risk, although these are all commercially sensitive details. The preferred contractor would talk more to the community. AM is still concerned that the detailed designs are still very vague with lots of areas of uncertainty. DW: disagrees, there are 2 options for Constitution St to approve. Discussion follows on how TT has approached the design process, in which DW mentions that TT ‘stands rigidly behind the current design’. HT mentions the possibility/example of changing speed limits for Constitution St. which would have an adverse effect on the tram system. The point made was that the worst case scenario from a construction cost has been reflected within the FBC. DW also mentions that changes in speed limits are not considered at all, just possible changes in hard landscaping.

JM: passes on enquiry about a resident who had a letter from CEC about wires being attached to her building. Causes confusion for residents. DW advises to ask the persons in question to get in touch with him, there is a legal team on hand to help. AM wants to know how many fixings will be attached to buildings along the tram line.

HT: proposes that CCTT should ideally look at the FBC as soon as possible once the data room opens. CCTT members need to lobby our councillors for political inputs.

2.b Update from CCTT

JM’s note was provided through the design consultation and will be closed out through this process. CCTT will be able to express views through forum however consultation is now closed.

3 Update from CCTT

See above.

4 Other items

4.a Review of traffic

In email of 27 Nov 2018 Cllr Munro requested from CEC a review of traffic volume, access and egress and parking at Ocean Terminal. This request ended up with TT as CEC did not have such information. TT has not done any specific modelling in that area because the junction is not being altered for the benefit of the tram.

RL: this letter came from a discussion at LHNCC about traffic impact around western Harbor, where we are going to have building of school, properties etc. in the next 5 years. There are difficulties in Newhaven place, the coaches service the cruise harbor; a number of major projects taking place in a restricted area. LHNCC wants to flag up these potential difficulties, the effect on traffic, which is difficult already. It could turn into a mess that cannot be fixed. DW Tram team has not done any modeling on that junction and suggests that RL gets in contact with the transport planner for that area.

A comment was made about speeding vehicles along Ocean Drive. DW has agreed to arrange a meeting with Cllr Booth and provide him with a response from a tram perspective. DW will also report the problems with noise at night to the technical work group that he attends.

 

4.b List of interdependent programmes and who is responsible

Refer to document

4.b.1 Additional comments:

CE: how could a member of the public challenge any traffic management plans? In the case of the Abbeyhill rotary, it virtually appeared overnight and there was no way for members of the public to challenge that decision. DW: communications are so critical to this project. The Contractor is contractually bound to provide a stakeholder management resource which will be defined at the ECI period. They will give ample notice of any changes in traffic management during construction. Traffic management can be a standing agenda item in future community engagement forums. HT: it will be necessary to have a number of people on the street dealing with issues as they arise. DW: TT acknowledge this and confirm that a strategy will be further developed through the ECI period.

JM: Who is going to manage construction vehicles in the dock area and construction vehicles for other construction projects? DW: There is the Dock Area Working Group to deal with this. On it are Cala Homes, S1 homes, Harrisons, Leith Distillery, Ocean Terminal and Forth Ports, chaired by DW. DW is happy to circulate a list of the various groups, their remits, members and lines of communication.

In HT’s opinion the Supplementary projects list of 10 is far more important to the users of this community than the tram itself. He notes that the construction of the tram is necessarily the most important thing to the tram team, but the above list of issues should be resolved as well as it will be this community that will have to live with the consequences. Every single item on the list should be resolved; should have been resolved a long time ago, and the council needs to get its act together.

5 Quantification of environmental benefits for CC areas impacted by tram corridor: before/during/after.

Could be part of our political case still to be made to make sure that there are some. HT to keep trying to get hold of any data.

6 Next meeting 31 January and 21 February 5.30-7.30pm

RL and DW can be there all or just for some of the time. HR offers to provide answers to any specific queries you may have. DW is also happy to answer specific questions. Next meetings might be split into two parts: first part CCTT with TT for further clarifications and updates; second part for CCTT steering group only to plan best engagement with councillors, media and the wider public.

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