Five things you need to know today

As announced in November 2011, St Andrew Street  is closed from 5am on Saturday 7 January 2012 and Shandwick Place is closed from Saturday 14 January 2012 , with a series of diversions being put in place for traffic. The moves will allow all remaining utility work to get underway ahead of the start of major infrastructure work in February 2012.

Road closure details

St. Andrew Street: Work begins on Saturday 7 January 2012. The East side of St Andrew Square (including North and South St. Andrew Street) will be closed to vehicles with all traffic switched to the West side (South St David St). The work site will extend down onto Princes Street and to the right as far as Waverley Bridge. There will still be access to shops and premises while additional support will be put in place for business deliveries.

Shandwick Place: Work begins on Saturday 14 January with Shandwick Place closed to all traffic between Atholl Crescent and Lothian Road. Traffic will be diverted to either Melville Street for east bound traffic or the West Approach Road for west bound traffic. There will still be access to shops and premises while additional support will be put in place for business deliveries.

For more information on diversions please visit: www.edinburghtrams.com

The school, which provides primary and secondary education for pupils with additional support needs, was affected by the extremely high winds on 3 January 2012, which caused a large section of roof covering to come off one of the two main blocks. This has resulted in water damage to two thirds of the building that houses secondary pupils and school catering facilities.

The Council has arranged for all primary and S1 pupils to return to school on Wednesday 11 January, one day later than planned, where they will be housed in the undamaged building. This additional day will ensure all debris can be removed from the playground and fencing can be repaired, with a cordon put in place around the other site.

All other pupils will start back on Monday 16 January, in temporary accommodation at part of the former Fort Primary School.  The Council has also ensured that new transport arrangements have been put in place for pupils to travel to this alternative site.

City Education Leader, Councillor Marilyne MacLaren said: “After the severe weather, it is our priority to get children back in school for the start of the term and although this is not going to be possible for pupils at Kaimes, we have acted quickly to ensure that there is as little disruption as possible and that the children have a safe environment to work in.

“I understand the difficulties that this can cause, and especially for pupils with additional needs, but we have put plans in place  to minimise these difficulties and an option that provides them with a designated space that can most meet their needs.  Additional support will be provided if required”.

All parents have been contacted by the Council directly to inform them of the new arrangements and it is currently anticipated that they will remain in place until Easter.

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