Fed-up drivers have claimed that tight parking spaces near Edinburgh’s £207million tram lines have left them facing hefty fines.
The three-mile extension, from the city centre to Leith and Newhaven, will start carrying passengers this week.
But local residents say trial runs have hit problems with vans parked too close to the tracks. Images have emerged of trams being held up along Leith Walk as they struggle to pass vans and trucks parked in narrow spaces just inches from the tram line, reports the Daily Record.
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Vans have also been parked on the pavement or in the adjacent cycle lane to avoid blocking trams. In addition, cars have been parked in the middle of pedestrian crossings.
However, City of Edinburgh Council bosses insist there is nothing wrong with the route layout. It added that parking wardens will be carrying out “extra enforcement” against those blocking the route, which could include penalties.
Van driver Phil Bentham travels to the area several times a week to make deliveries. He said there wasn’t enough space in loading bays located between tram tracks and the cycle lane along Leith Walk. He has to fold his wing mirrors in and has been forced to park on the pavement to avoid the tram line, which was inches from the parking bay.
Phil, from Manchester, said: “The loading bays aren’t wide enough. If I parked fully on the road I would definitely have obstructed a tram. The loading bay is right beside the tram and cycle lane. I had to mount the kerb and fold the mirrors in or I’d have been blocking the trams.”
Along with two new tram lines there is also a cycle path on the route, pavements for pedestrians, parking spaces and loading bays for cars and vans.
Some local residents fear there will be an accident due to the confusing layout. Dougal Stanton took a video of a delivery truck driving along the pavement and said it could “kill someone”.
Scott Dixon, a consumer advice expert who specialises in motoring issues, believes the council should have foreseen problems on the route.
He said: “City of Edinburgh Council ought to have had the foresight and vision to see these potential issues and accommodate all road users.
“These bays were clearly designed many years ago when vehicles were generally much smaller than they are now.
“Parking and loading bays ought to be accessible for all road users. Why should anyone be fined due to the council’s incompetence? I’d suggest the council doesn’t use its inability to foresee problems they have caused as an excuse to penalise road users who are simply trying to do their best to adhere to the rules without causing any obstruction.”
The council’s transport and environment convener, Scott Arthur, said: “The road layout was designed in accordance with the Edinburgh Street Design Guidance and gives sufficient space for trams to pass.
“It is important that vehicles are parked properly. We’ll be carrying out increased enforcement along the route to ensure this is the case. The new layout will take time to bed in. That’s the purpose of the period of testing.”
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