Tram works to close busy junction

The Mound junction as well as parts of Princes Street will be closed to traffic

The Mound junction is to close to traffic for six months while underground pipes are moved as part of tram works in Edinburgh.

From next Wednesday traffic will be diverted around the area including buses on Princes Street between Frederick Street and Hanover Street.

Services which pass through the busy junction will either be diverted via George Street or Market Street.

Full pedestrian access will be maintained during the project.

The utility diversions will prepare the area for the laying of tram infrastructure on Princes Street which is scheduled to commence in January 2009.

The massive scope of these works means that there may be some delays so I would urge travellers to look at other routes to their destination or adding time on to journeys Phil Wheeler Edinburgh City Council,

Willie Gallagher, executive chairman of Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (Tie), said: "We don't underestimate the need to mitigate the impact of these works.

"Every area where we have been has its own similarities and differences. In the case of Princes Street we are acutely aware of its status to the city centre from a retailer, shopper and tourist perspective.

"Following the completion of these works the Edinburgh public will begin to see the creation of the tram infrastructure with track lines, overhead line equipment and tram stops all being built."

Bill Campbell, Lothian Buses operations director said: "This is a major diversion which will cause all buses to be diverted from part of Princes Street to George Street and from the Mound to Market Street and Waverley Bridge."

Phil Wheeler, Edinburgh City Council, said: "This final phase of utility diversion works is at one of the busiest junctions in the city centre.

"As with all the other works in this programme the diversionary routes have been well planned and I am confident that traffic will continue to flow.

"However the massive scope of these works means that there may be some delays so I would urge travellers to look at other routes to their destination or adding time on to journeys."