Pity barrow boys TIEd up in one place

I WAS intrigued by your story about TIE's barrow boys in Shandwick Place (Evening News, March 10), an initiative that is to be welcomed not only during the tram works, but also as a generally sensible way to support transport logistics in a historic city.

Unfortunately, a similar sense of initiative is lacking in Leith Walk, where TIE has failed to live up to the undertakings it gave to the local communities in the run-up to the tram project.

Apart from the absence of barrow boys, we have seen poorly maintained works enclosures and associated signage, unsafe and far too narrow pedestrian routes, shoddy re-instatement of surfaces, repeated traffic light failures, a complete absence of enforcement as many car drivers take the law into their own hands, very poor communication with the communities affected by the works, and generally a lack of co-ordination and ownership of the inevitable problems created by such a massive and overall well funded infrastructure project.

Adding insult to injury, the much trumpeted promotional support package for shops on Leith Walk seems to consist of a single small sign in York Place announcing that Leith Walk shops remain open during the works.

As has been made clear to TIE, Leith Walk is probably the single area in Edinburgh least in need of need of trams, thanks to the existing excellent bus service. If TIE wants to see continued support for the tram from the communities on Leith Walk in the interest of a new Edinburgh-wide transport system, it is high time for TIE to show a matching dedication and provide real management on the ground, and a serious design input that emphasises the potential of Edinburgh's premier boulevard.
Harald Tobermann, Pilrig Residents Association, Pilrig Street, Edinburgh

Set areas aside for non-permit cars
I AM not surprised to read (Evening News, March 10) that parking is now a problem in some areas of Edinburgh. The reason for this congestion is quite simply because the recently created Controlled Parking Zones (CPZs) have forced cars out into the neighbouring areas outside the CPZs.

Rather than create additional CPZs it would be much better if areas were set aside within the new CPZs where there is no congestion during the day and allow free parking within these areas of up to 24 hours for those without a permit for the zone. Such a scheme appears to exist in Carrington Road, close to the police HQ at Fettes.

This facility could be easily extended to other areas which are completely clear of parked cars during the day.
Sandy Gemmill Mertoun Place, Edinburgh

Don't leave railway station out on limb
IN an article in the News on March 5 there is a claim by Faber Maunsell that they had identified slack in Network Rail's timetable which would allow a stop at Edinburgh Park with only 30 seconds added to the travelling time. Transport Scotland, however, claim it would add three minutes.

I am sure there's slack in the timetabling; after all, it takes longer now to get between Edinburgh and Glasgow than it did in the early Sixties when I first travelled on this route.

But is TS speaking for the people who matter: the passengers? Or, is it worrying about punctuality targets that have bedeviled the railways since privatisation?

I am sure the passengers want better journey times, and these will hopefully come when NR gets down to electrifying this route. The better acceleration of electric traction should cut journey times to 30-35 minutes, but at the same time allow more stops.

It just doesn't make sense to leave Edinburgh Park out on a limb, ignoring this source of patronage. As your report says, Edinburgh Park is the largest business park in Scotland with approximately 7000 employees based at 21 companies on the park.
David G Guild, Grange Road, Edinburgh

Thanks to all who helped after fall
MAY I thank all the kind people who came forward to help me, when I fell on the escalator in British Home Stores on Friday, March 7. I have not much idea who they all were. Two kind gentlemen got me on my feet. One British Home Stores assistant produced a chair and a glass of water.

I have to apologise to the young man who was sent for, to mop away blood stains on the escalator before it could be put back into use. Everyone was so kind.
Mrs J Macpherson, Carfrae Park, Edinburgh.

Park and ride was a waste of time
THINKING I would do my bit for the environment I decided to use the Lothian Buses X48 Park and Ride service to get to Murrayfield on Saturday. What a mistake.

The journey to Murrayfield was fine, it was the journey back that has changed my mind about ever using the service again.

Readers need to remember this is billed as a half-hourly service from Ingliston to Sheriffhall and all stops in between. However on Saturday, Lothian buses decided to change all that and terminate their buses at Waverley. I, along with several other people, one particularly elderly, waited over two hours for a bus while watching four X48s pass us that all stopped at Waverley. On contacting Lothian we were told that due to 'congestion' they had changed their schedule. Utter nonsense. They also couldn't tell us when the next bus to Sheriffhall might arrive.

After much heated discussion with their representative on the phone we were advised to go to Waverley and change for the 49. Is this the kind of joined-up public transport we are all being encouraged to take? As a side note, two of the people stranded had driven from York that day to watch the rugby. They won't be back.

My advice to anyone thinking of using the X48 is go ahead and use it but don't expect Lothian Buses to get you back again if it doesn't suit them.
Scott Kerr, Wesley Crescent, Bonnyrigg