A series of measures designed to minimise the impact of the extensive tram works on Princes Street on this year's Edinburgh Festival has been announced by the Edinburgh Tram Project
.
Edinburgh's central thoroughfare is currently closed to traffic as the tram tracks are laid down and pedestrians have been diverted from the South side pavement of Princes Street through West Princes Street Garden and East Princes Street Garden.
However, the Edinburgh Tram Project hopes to get creative with the mayhem caused by the tram works by following up on proposals that came out of consultations with stakeholders and
retailers, following the City of Edinburgh Council's decision, in May, to cancel the embargo on tram work during the Festival. Plans would include "innovative use" of space along Princes
Street, a bespoke promotion campaign and the provision of information
to turn those that work on Princes Street into "Festival Ambassadors".
A report published by the Council today (Wednesday, 3 June) outlines plans for the city centre and beyond and will be
considered by Councillors at the Policy and Strategy Committee meeting
on Tuesday, 9 June.
“These innovative proposals, developed with the Edinburgh businesses and festival community offer exciting opportunities to use the space freed by the tramworks in an innovative way," said Richard Jeffrey, Chief Executive, tie Limited.
“It also allows the city to
further promote the Festival and the numerous attractions happening in
Edinburgh in August. Visitors on Princes Street in August will also see
the first tram tracks laid and get a real sense of how the project is
developing."
The Edinburgh Tram Project says the cancellation of the August embargo will allow Princes Street to reopen in time for the busy Christmas shopping period and the Hogmanay celebrations.
Fringe Spaces and Festival Ambassadors
A tram mitigation measures workshop was facilitated by
the City of Edinburgh Council and hosted by Apex Hotels. It was
attended by stakeholders and representatives from traders on each block
of Princes Street, the National Galleries of Scotland, the Edinburgh
Festivals, Essential Edinburgh and tie Ltd.
The measures will address four areas: space management, direction, information and promotion.
Parts of Princes Street, centred around the Mound, could be given over to the Edinburgh Fringe to manage. The Edinburgh Tram Project would support the initiative with enhanced signage for pedestrians, an information provision and promotional campaign featuring maps and a Festival Toolkit to ensure visitors are aware of how to get around the city centre as well as a commitment from tie Ltd that the worksites themselves will be well presented.
Information will also be provided to the frontline staff dealing with visitors, such as traffic wardens, concierges, Essential Edinburgh staff and taxi drivers turning them into "Festival Ambassadors" and allowing them to guide and inform festival goers.
Festivals Edinburgh Director Faith Liddell said: "As the city goes through major changes for the future, we appreciate the Council's much-needed commitment to promote the Festivals, supporting those venues and events most affected by the tramworks and helping the hundreds of thousands of Festival visitors get around the city and enjoy their time in Edinburgh as easily and safely as possible."