The temporary traffic lights installed at the junction of Broughton and Albany Streets are to be removed on Friday. In their stead will be the former layout, comprising a standard give-way junction at Albany Street and all movements available on Broughton Street.
Originally installed in the autumn (Breaking news, 28.9.12), the lights were a response to public concerns about the volume and frequency of traffic during tramwork diversions. Despite being scheduled to remain in place for about a year, they are now being withdrawn early because they are deemed to cause unacceptable congestion around York Place and particularly Picardy Place.
[img_assist|nid=3679|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=150|height=200]Officials claim that their removal is now feasible since the 'plug' has been removed and traffic can travel along Princes and Leith Streets.
However, Ian Mowat, Chair of the New Town and Community Council, is concerned that without clear guidance, many vehicles will return to using Albany, Dublin and East London Streets as their cross-city route.
He has therefore called for urgent reassurances from Chris Highcock of the Council's Tram Communication Team that additional, updated signage will be put in place promptly.
Traffic was flowing smoothly through the area this morning, but in fairness we have frequently observed traffic snarl-ups at peak times over recent weeks, some of them posing considerable danger to pedestrians crossing at the top of Broughton Street.
Albany Street residents – always vocal in the past – will, we expect, react angrily to the withdrawal of what many regard as a hard-won but necessary concession from the Council.
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[img_assist|nid=3680|title=|desc=|link=node|align=right|width=150|height=200]Meanwhile, in further frustrating and vaguely absurd traffic news, Scottish Gas mains renewal work has resumed on the westbound carriageway of the B900 (Broughton Road) between Logie Green Road and Rodney Street.
The main traffic lights at the junction have been switched off and replaced with temporary ones, and the pedestrian crossing outside Tesco has again been switched off.
The carriageway is set to remain closed until the end of the month, although recent experience here suggests this may be an optimistic prediction.
One contractor on-site answered Spurtle's queries this morning with a wink and a cheery smile. 'Don't worry!' he remarked. 'We'll be out of your hair in no time.'