Masons aim to dislodge tram works from their doorstep

A GROUP of Edinburgh Masons have threatened to obtain a court order against the city council to prevent tram works blocking access to their lodge.

James MacLean, secretary and treasurer of the Edinburgh Masonic Club, has written to council leader Jenny Dawe to formally complain of contractors "completely obstructing access" to the premises on Shrub Place Lane.

He claims the obstruction has already resulted in a number of near-misses from cars mounting the pavement to avoid the roadworks, and has obstructed the path of beer delivery trucks and council refuse collectors.

Mr MacLean said: "Vehicles had to manoeuvre at right angles across the pavement.

"During the day, the operative in charge of the roadworks was instructing people to mount the pavement, but as night fell and with the failing light there was a number of angry exchanges, with pedestrians shouting at motorists following a number of near misses."

Mr MacLean has also complained about council refuse collection vehicles being unable to access the lane.

He added: "There's a railway line nearby (and] a family of foxes breeding there. There's been a lot of food waste from our recent functions spilling out into the road and the foxes are having a rare old time."

The club has now has threatened to apply for an interim interdict at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to restrain the city council and tram firm TIE from continuing to obstruct access to it premises.

He added: "This would involve our solicitor going into court (to argue] that the council is acting illegally by preventing access to the premises. This is obviously going to cost a couple of thousand pounds but we will certainly go down that road if we have to.

"TIE previously gave us assurance that we would be able to gain access to our premises 24/7."

A city council spokeswoman said that the matter would be dealt with "as a matter of urgency" once it had had time to examine the Masons' complaints.

However, TIE insisted vehicles could access the premises throughout and at no point was access "impossible".

A spokeswoman added: "We strive to accommodate the access needs of local residents and businesses wherever possible.

"The excavation in question has now been filled and is currently being fully reinstated. We are confident that all necessary health and safety measures were taken during this phase of the work."