Ms Kezia Dugdale, MSP The Scottish Parliament Edinburgh EH991SP

Date Your ref Our ref

16 November

2011

SS 1.1/424254

Dear Ms Dugdale EDINBURGH TRAMS - SAFETY CONCERNS PRINCES STREET FOR DISABLED PEOPLE ON

Thank you for your letter to the Chief Executive dated 24 October 2011 regarding the above tram-related issue. As Senior Responsible Officer for the tram project, I have been asked to respond to you directly. Various disability groups have been involved during the course of the design and development of the tram route and vehicles. These groups have been working together with the Council and Edinburgh Trams to realise the best possible outcome for disabled people and to advise on how this mode of transport and associated infrastructure can accommodate all users. The groups involved throughout the whole process are:

Lothian Community Transport Services (LCTS) Guide Dogs for the Blind Edinburgh Transport Group (ETG) Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland Special Needs Information Point (SNIP), Royal Hospital for Sick Children Edinburgh Disability Equality Forum Ecas (registered charity helping the physically disabled in Edinburgh and the Lothians) Haggeye (Forum for the blind and partially sighted young people in Scotland) Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance

These groups have been involved from a very early stage and continue their involvement through meetings held approximately every two months.

Dave Anderson,
Transport, City

Director,
High

City
Street,

Development
Edinburgh EH1 1YJ

Chambers,

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t" -1,

INVESTORS PEOPLE

Through these meetings, the group representatives have been presented with information and have therefore been kept fully up to speed with the project, and agreed to cascade this information on to their respective members .. Over. and above the consultation noted above, various members of the disabled community were taken to work sites by Edinburgh Tram staff to ensure that the temporary works were still accommodating disabled people travelling through the city. This was done to ensure there was enough space available on footways, at crossing points etc for wheelchair users and members of the public with restricted movement. We also have regular contact with individuals who have asked to be walked through the temporary arrangements and my staff are more than happy to cater for this on a case by case basis. Prior to the implementation of any significant temporary traffic management proposals, such as Princes Street, the proposals are considered by the Council's Traffic Management Review Panel (TMRP), which comprises representatives from the following: The Police (representing the emergency services) Lothian Buses (representing all bus companies) The tram construction contractors Council (as Roads Authority)

The TMRP consider all road users and scrutinise the traffic management measures to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Reviews are carried out periodically (depending on the time the traffic management is in place. Reviews are also carried out if comments or concerns are raised. If you provide me with the details around your constituents' safety concerns I will ensure that they are investigated fully. I hope this addresses both your and your constituents' concerns but should you require any further information please contact Andy Conway on 0131 6238803. Yours sincerely

Dave Anderson Director of City Development