COMMUNITY representatives have called for compensation for up to 30,000 residents in and around Leith Walk with years of disruption ahead as the planned tram extension to Newhaven passed a critical hurdle.
The call for compensation for residents who have had their lives disrupted by tramworks - a scheme for businesses is already proposed - was made as the next stage in the tram extension process was approved by Edinburgh councillors.
READ MORE: Edinburgh Trams -18 months of works on Leith Walk
Harald Tobermann, of Leith Central Community Council, said families as well as firms would be hit and he called for a potential council tax rebate for residents who he said face five years more stress and disruption from roadworks, with the completion date in 2022.
Speaking at the Edinburgh City Council transport committee meeting, Mr Tobermann said: “The benefits coming to our area from a tram are limited.”
He said the £165.2 million 2.8 mile extension would bring five years of disruption on top of ten years of previous roadworks on the popular thoroughfare.
He said: “It is claimed that lessons have been learned.
"I wonder can they be properly learned before the tram inquiry has reported?”
READ MORE: Edinburgh Trams -18 months of works on Leith Walk
Council tax rebates could be calculated for residents in and around Leith Walk to compensate for disruption, affecting up to 30,000, Mr Tobermann said.
He also said: "We think more time is needed to review the tram business case thoroughly and to interrogate its many assumptions.
"If the trams go ahead, parallel measures for Leith Walk residents in the form of improved access to green spaces are essential."
He said the council should "outline a scheme of additional financial compensation for Leith Walk residents".
"I would like you to consider compensatory measures for residents.
READ MORE: Edinburgh Trams -18 months of works on Leith Walk
"I would also like you to build into the contract if there is severe over-runs the possibility of giving financial compensation, giving our council tax back, because it will affect us."
However, Chas Booth, Leith councillor and Green transport spokesman, pictured below, said his mailbag was weighted towards supporting the trams.
He said: “The vast majority who have contacted me have said that Leith has seen all the pain from the trams and now we want to see some of the gain.”
It is the latest decision in the process the council insists shows diligence and will avoid the problems brought by the previous project, which goes under scrutiny on Tuesday when the first oral evidence at the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry when it resumes.
The council has said it will take on board any findings of the inquiry under Lord Hardie, pictured below.
The probe, set up in 2014 by then First Minister Alex Salmond, is examining why the original project went significantly over budget and was delivered years later than originally planned.
Among those due to appear are former city council leaders Donald Anderson, from 1999 to 2006, Ewan Aitken, between 2006 and 2007 and Jenny Dawe, leader from 2007 to 2012.
READ MORE: Edinburgh Trams -18 months of works on Leith Walk
The blueprints that have now passed the first main hurdle to take the line from York place to Newhaven will go before full council for ratification later this month.
It creates the setting for the authority to start a procurement exercise to identify a potential contractor for the project, with the decision on whether to go ahead with taking the tram to Newhaven, and with which contractor, to follow in autumn 2018.
Paul Lawrence, council director of place, described the latest decision as the "amber light" for the York Place to Newhaven line.
The report was passed eight to three, with a Conservative amendment defeated.
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