Tram Plan Doesn't Include Window Cleaning

Trams socker: Residents face window washing ban over electrocution fears. Residents on the Edinburgh tram route will have to ask for permission to clean their windows because of the health and safety hazard of overheard power cables, it emerged today. Transport bosses will also have to give the go-ahead for work including painting shop fronts or erecting scaffolding. The rules are likely to affect streets such as Constitution Street and Shandwick Place where the power cables are expected to be attached to buildings rather than poles in the middle of the road.

Alastair Richards, managing director of Edinburgh Trams, said: "We'll make sure that well ahead of any overhead wires going up that we go along and talk to people about what's possible and what's not possible. Most of the windows will be cleaned from inside, but should people require to gain access, we'll be able to give them the dos and don'ts. "It will work in the same way as when somebody wants to put up scaffolding that encroaches on the road, they have to ask for permission. "We want to make sure they're safe and can get on and do what they need to do."

It has already emerged that nine people are being taken to court by the city council for refusing to allow tram wires to be fixed to their homes. They are understood to be among 16 residents on the tram route fighting plans to attach the power cable supports to buildings rather than to poles in the street. Today, critics of the project were incredulous at the latest revelation. Gordon Burgess, chairman of the Leith Business Association, said the issue was another example of TIE's "back-of-a-fag-packet project management". He said: "Constitution Street has been that width for a long time, but this has been an ill-advised project from the start and nothing surprises me about it anymore. This is another example of TIE's inability to deliver the project satisfactorily."

Edinburgh's tram project chose not to go for technology which avoids on-street cables by having the equipment carried on the tram itself. However, the vehicles can be "retro-fitted" in future, although the job is understood to be a difficult one. The power lines, which are due to be installed close to the opening of the project, are also expected to intrude on views of Edinburgh Castle after the decision was taken to make supporting poles on Princes Street 20ft high to avoid them coming into contact with those people travelling on open-top buses. The cables are one of the many new features the Capital will have to get used to once the controversial project is up and running, with motorists also expected to be given tips on how to cope with the trams. News of the power lines came as TIE showed off Edinburgh's first tram, which is currently being put through its paces at a test track in Germany.

Meanwhile, a meeting about the role played by Bilfinger Berger and the ongoing dispute which has seen on-street work grind to a halt is expected to take place in the coming weeks. Last month reports suggested that moves were being made to kick the German firm off the project.
'Big critics will struggle not to be impressed.' Not Princes Street or Leith Walk, those lucky enough to be invited onboard for the tram's maiden voyage were instead treated to a tour of Siemens' test track deep in the German countryside. With leather seats, state-of-the-art TFT screens and roomy carriages, Edinburgh's trams are set to offer passengers one of the most comfortable rides in Europe. Innovative design ideas include night doors which shorten the length of the tram available to passengers at night, reducing the threat of crime and antisocial behaviour. Onboard screens are expected to give passengers updates on events happening in the city and built-in counters will allow transport chiefs to monitor exactly how many people are on any tram at any given time.

The ride along the test track at Siemens' Wildenrath factory outside Düsseldorf was undoubtedly both comfortable and near silent. However, with construction of the project currently more akin to a rollercoaster ride, it could be a while before the trams are gliding through the city for which they were intended. In 2002, transport academic Professor Lewis Lesley outlined how a tram network could gradually be built up once the main line opened. The construction of Edinburgh Trams is well underway on the streets of Edinburgh and they will be operational in 2012.

Comments:

Residents on the tram route will have to ask for permission to clean their windows due to risk from overheard power cables. Frankly, my dear readers, you do give a tram . . .

Surely TIE have failed in their duties by not considering this minor issue. I assume residents will be able to claim for new windows which can be cleaned from inside the building, which will also mean planning regs in place relating to conservation areas will also have to be relaxed. You just couldn't make this up!

fresian

Not to worry. The vibration from passing trams will shake all the windaes oot of their frames, so they won't need cleaning, just sweeping up.

Wullie Coyote

Given the scale of the project this is a minute detail in an otherwise problem-free story of engineering triumph. There will be no need for window washing anyway as Edinburgh residents get behind the clean, silently wafting public transport miracle that is THE TRAM and pollutants vanish from the very air that we breathe.