The formal process for the permanent changes to the road layout along the Edinburgh tram route will begin next month with a 28 day consultation period for statutory consultees.
This period will be followed with a general consultation period for all interested parties in February 2010.
These proposals will make up Traffic Regulation Order 1 (TRO1) which must be in place for the tram to run in accordance with its business case. The two stage process will allow people with concerns to have their views recorded and any possible amendments will be considered during the process for a second Traffic Regulation Order later in 2010.
The drawings were subject to an informal consultation process last year, following which some amendments were made to areas such as loading and parking availability, particularly in the Leith Walk area.
Cllr Gordon Mackenzie, Transport Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: "This has been a complex process, with over four years of detailed design work undertaken to get to the stage where the tram can run to its timetable and integrate smoothly with other traffic."
Susan Clark, Edinburgh Trams deputy project director added: "We have been working in conjunction with our Council colleagues to ensure that the road layout design is conducive to the trams, other road users and pedestrians."
The following main changes are proposed:
West End from Haymarket to Shandwick Place:
* Tram stops will be located at Haymarket Terrace, adjacent to Haymarket Station and Shandwick Place, between Atholl and Coates Crescent Gardens.
* Shandwick Place will be a public transport corridor with access only to trams, buses, taxis and cyclists. Loading will be permitted between 8pm and 7am.
* Torphichen Place will be two-way.
* Canning Street will become one way north bound for buses, taxis and cycles only.
* Parking and loading will be removed from the south side of West Maitland Street, between Torphichen Street and Haymarket.
Princes Street
* The tram stop will be located west of the Mound - between Hanover Street and Frederick Street.
* Loading times for shops and businesses will be between 8pm and 7am.
* Left turn from Lothian Road on to Shandwick Place will be removed.
* Frederick Street will be reopened to buses, taxis and cyclists.
* All right and left turns at the Mound junction will be prohibited.
* Removal of west bound general traffic at night on Princes Street.
East End from St Andrew Square to Picardy Place
* Tram Stops are proposed for the East side of St Andrew Square and Picardy Place, east of Broughton Street.
* Parking on the east and west sides of St Andrew Square will be removed.
* West side of St Andrew Square will be made two-way for general traffic.
* East side of St Andrew Square will be predominately used for trams and access traffic.
* St Andrew Street will be closed to general traffic and buses at both ends (Princes Street and York Place).
* The roundabout at Picardy Place will be replaced with traffic signal controlled junctions and incorporate a pedestrian area next to the tram stop.
Leith Walk
* Tram Stops are proposed South of McDonald Road, at Balfour Street, and at the Foot of the Walk, south end of Constitution Street.
* The parking and loading arrangements need to be altered to accommodate the introduction of the tram; where possible kerbside space will be allocated for parking and loading.
* The roundabout at London Road will be replaced with traffic signals.
* New traffic signals will be installed at the follow junctions; Dalmeny Street, Springfield Street/Smith's Place and Manderston Street.
* Many right turn movements will have to be prohibited along Leith Walk.
After the statutory and general consultation periods, the City of Edinburgh Council will promote traffic regulation orders to implement the new traffic system. It is expected that these orders will be processed during 2010. The second TRO will be promoted in 2010 and as mentioned previously this is the time when minor alterations which don't impede traffic flows will be considered.