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**UPDATE: We are making further changes to accommodate footway works on the east side of Constitution Street. Access to properties will be maintained.

Construction is progressing well in this area with track works now complete from Coatfield Lane into the junction of Queen Charlotte Street. The construction and installation of Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) followed by improvements to footpaths and the public realm are scheduled to start from Monday 25 July 2022. Three OLE poles are to be installed within this section. This will require the excavation of the footpath in order to construction the bases.

OLE Information

OLE is the overhead wires and supporting infrastructure that carries electricity to power the trams which can either consist of poles (similar to lampposts) or building fixings.

OLE pole locations have been approved by the City of Edinburgh Council as part of the planning application for the Tram Stops.  The locations of the poles have been designed in accordance with design codes and standards which includes the Edinburgh Street Design Guidance and has been coordinated with street lighting alignment and safety standards.

There are OLE building fixings attached to the exterior of certain buildings along the route. Those affected properties have been directly notified.  Legal agreements are in place with affected property owners for the installation of OLE building fixings.

What happens now

Where there is an OLE pole situated within the vicinity of a property, access and egress on the existing footpath will be affected throughout the duration of works. However, access to properties will be maintained with pedestrian diversions in place. We anticipate the duration of each OLE foundation work will take up to 4 weeks with reinstatement works following. 

Outlined below is further detail on how the project team will undertake these works.

• Excavations works will be carried out to clear the working space to allow the commencement of reinforcement concrete works. Excavation works are expected to take approximately one week.
• On completion of the above reinforcement concrete works will commence.
• Please note that depending upon the complexity of any encountered utilities, work may take longer to divert utilities and/or undertake further design checks. This stage of the works is expected to last for a further 3 weeks.  
• The installation of the pole will take no more than a day and will be carried out consecutively along the route with updates being issued via the project’s communication channels.

View the pedestrian management arrangements for the OLE works. 

Hard Landscaping Works

Once the OLE works are completed, we will start hard landscaping and public realm works, with further updates to be communicated via the project’s communication channels.

When are we doing it?

OLE works are expected to commence from Monday 25 July 2022. On completion, of these works, hard landscaping works will commence on both the east and west of Constitution Street.

These works are expected to be completed by Autumn 2022.

Supporting Local Businesses & Logistic Provision

Logistics provision to support businesses to help with deliveries and dispatches. Help is also available for residents expecting large deliveries such as appliances or furniture. Please contact our project contact centre should you require any support from our Logistic Teams.

We will look to progress works as quickly as possible to ensure that minimal disruption is caused. To ensure optimum safety is maintained we ask that all pedestrians and cyclists’ approach and operate with caution and care on approach to this area.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Contact Us

If you have any concerns or further questions regarding these works then please contact the Trams to Newhaven project team by email on Newhaven.tram@edinburgh.gov.uk or alternatively contact our customer helpline on 0131 322 1122 (local rate Monday to Sunday 8am to 7pm).