Trams to Newhaven – a need for “greater transparency”

The coalition of the four community councils which cover the areas along the Trams to Newhaven extension from Picardy Place to Newhaven have release their analysis of the Road Safety Audit Report (RSA) and The CIty of Edinburgh Council’s and the contractor’s response.

A spokesperson for the coalition said: “Although the Report – produced by independent auditors – is dated November 2023, it has only just been posted on the Trams to Newhaven project website after several informal and two FOI requests.

“We believe that the Report makes disturbing reading. The independent auditors had identified 145 recommendations to address concerns for the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users, but in less than 50 cases have actions been taken or agreed to address these concerns. In the remaining nearly 100 cases apart from some monitoring of the issues raised by the auditors, neither the Council nor SFN will be undertaking any action.

“We will be making representations to the Council when the Trams to Newhaven project is next considered by the Transport and Environment Committee.

“We have long argued that there needs to be greater transparency, focus and resources regarding the remaining work to be undertaken on the project. This delayed report demonstrates the importance of such transparency and the need for urgent action to reduce the risks to the public. “

Community Councils Together for Trams (CCTT) is a coalition of the four community councils on the tram extension route:

New Town & Broughton Community Council say on their website: “The RSA makes 145 recommendations to improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. Of these recommendations, 91 were carried over from the Stage 2 RSA conducted in 2021 which examined the project’s detailed designs.

“In response to the RSA’s recommendations, SFN and CEC have agreed to undertake remedial work on only 44 of the recommendations. In a further 5 cases, it was reported that the recommended work had been already completed by the time that this report was approved in November 2023. This leaves just less than 100 recommendations for which the Council intends to take no action (apart from some monitoring) nor require the Contractor to take any action.”

The CCTT Briefing Note on Stage 3 Road Safety Audit for TTN is below:

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