Official Report 118KB pdf
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 16th meeting in 2005 of the Edinburgh Tram (Line Two) Bill Committee. I ask all present to switch off their mobile phones and pagers.
Before we begin, I seek an update from the promoter on the status of various objections that relate to the Gyle area. As members are aware, there are three outstanding groups of objectors to the tram route as set out in the bill and a further two outstanding objections to an alternative route that the promoter has proposed in an attempt to address objectors' concerns. The groups in question are as follows: group 26, which is Safeway Stores plc; group 28, which is Universities Superannuation Scheme Ltd; and group 27, for which the lead objector is O2 (UK) Ltd. The outstanding objections are 96, which is by Safeway Stores Ltd and Wm Morrison Supermarkets plc, and 97, which is by USS Ltd. I understand that the promoter has an update on the objections.
I can confirm that the promoter and the relevant objectors now strongly support the proposed amended route. In those circumstances, if the committee's preference is also for the amended route, the promoter does not intend to provide oral evidence on the objections to the bill alignment or the amended route.
We have received correspondence on behalf of all the objectors that confirms that it is their strong preference that the amended route be approved by the committee. They also state that they do not intend to provide oral evidence to the committee on their objections, if the committee prefers the amended route. If the committee confirms that that is its preference, all objections will be withdrawn. In essence, we have written submissions that state that the promoter and the objectors are strongly in favour of the alternative route. On the basis of that written information, the witness statements and rebuttals that are before us and the objections to the original route, do members agree that their preference is for the alternative route at the Gyle?
Can the promoter's representative confirm that it is willing to support an amendment for the alternative route to be lodged at the second phase of consideration stage?
Yes, I can.
On that basis, I confirm that the committee will support the lodging of such an amendment. Consequently, all relevant objections in the Gyle area will be formally withdrawn by the objectors.
I wonder whether I might start with Mr Sim, from whom it is most appropriate to take an update on events.
Please proceed.
Mr Sim, will you update the committee on the live issues between the parties and on any recent developments?
When the objection from NCP Ltd and Norwich Union was first received, the promoter contacted the objectors back in November 2004 to invite them to a meeting to discuss the issues. Following several e-mail exchanges, we finally got together on 5 May this year, when we discussed the concerns with NCP, which operates the long-stay car park at the airport, and with the representatives of the owners of the property, Norwich Union. The issues were about ensuring that the car park continues to operate as normal during the construction phase and following the development of the tramway in the area. Another issue was compensation for any loss of car parking spaces that may arise from the scheme. At the meeting, it was agreed that NCP would prepare a list of the specific requirements that it would like to be written into some form of agreement with the promoter in relation to how the car park might operate when a tramway goes through the area.
Thank you, Mr Sim.
I have one question. It might not be appropriate for Mr Sim to answer it, but I will be guided by you, Mr Thomson. In paragraph 3.2 of Mr Sim's statement, there is talk of the downside of the alternative route. Will you give us some more detail on the implications of the route change for run time and construction costs?
We do not have plans to change the route in the area of the NCP car park at the airport. The route crosses a road that runs through the car park and separates the two parking areas. Because the limits of deviation are quite tight, there is no scope to change the route in that area, so I am not quite sure what you mean by the question.
The objector proposed the change.
I see. The objector wanted to see whether it would be possible to change the tramway route so that, instead of coming in across Eastfield Road, cutting across part of the objector's site and continuing westwards, the route joined the A8 to the east of the Eastfield interchange. We looked into that alternative, but there were a number of difficulties with it. Primarily, it would not be possible for the tramway to serve the park-and-ride site on the east side of Eastfield Road. Also, there were a number of construction and geometric difficulties with getting the tramway on to the A8 at a position that would be clear from the ramps to and from Eastfield Road and the A8.
I acknowledge what you say about compensation and the discussions that are taking place, but will you give a bit more detail on that? In particular, will compensation be based on the number of parking spaces that will be lost? If so, will you indicate how many there will be? Also, are the discussions on compensation focusing on finance or on alternative land? What impact will there be on access and egress, and is that impact forming part of the discussions on compensation?
I do not have the figures with me, but compensation will be based on the number of parking spaces that are lost. I think I mentioned that in my written evidence, but I will check. A small number of spaces in the car park will be affected. I have some information with me on the plot numbers that will be affected, but unfortunately the text in the document is too small to read.
I know that I am interrupting, but your original evidence was broad; the evidence stated that the potential impact could be 50 to 100 spaces. I am looking for more specific detail.
It depends on the way in which we finalise the alignment within the available limits. Depending on where the final alignment goes, more or fewer car parking spaces will be lost.
Will compensation be given for the loss of spaces in the car park, or could alternative land be secured to replace those spaces?
We have entered into an arrangement with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society over a plot of land that is immediately to the north of the existing NCP car park. That land would have been rendered unusable as part of the Royal Highland showground because it is between the NCP car park and the tramway. As part of our arrangement with that party, the promoter has looked into buying up that piece of land, which might in turn be offered in a land swap arrangement or commercial deal with NCP or Norwich Union as an area to relocate however many spaces might be lost as a result of the tramway. That is a possibility.
And what about access?
Access would not be affected by the tramway.
In response to objections, particularly to the extent of land take, you say in paragraph 3.8 of your statement that you do not consider the limits of deviation
Yes, that is right.
So perhaps "geometric" is not the right word to use.
You are right to say that the constraints have arisen as a result of the tram stop. To locate the stop, we need 60m of straight tramway, 40m to accommodate the platform and 10m either side to allow for a smooth turn into and out of the stop. However, that is only one geometric constraint. The other constraints are the fixed point of the Eastfield Road crossing and the crossing on to the median of the A8 at Ingliston Avenue.
Is that because if you put the tramway anywhere else, it would not serve the park-and-ride?
First, we have to serve the park-and-ride to the east of Eastfield Road. Secondly, we need a tram stop that serves the south-east corner of the Royal Highland showground site. We then get on to the median of the A8 by combining the crossing with the existing junction of Ingliston Road and the A8 under a traffic signal control. We are also constrained by the listed buildings and walls along the boundary of the Royal Highland showground site. Taking all those aspects into consideration, we were left with the route on the table.
In paragraphs 3.27 to 3.30, you highlight the impact of traffic movements and say that
If tram frequency is increased, the time between trams arriving at a tram crossing will be reduced. Under the current proposal of running six trams an hour, there will be 10 minutes' headway in each direction and a potential five-minute interval between tram crossings with either an eastbound or a westbound tram. If frequency is increased to seven trams an hour, that interval will be reduced from five to about three and a half minutes. That will still allow sufficient time for any queues that have built up as a result of the 20-second delay while the tram crosses to be cleared out and for the traffic to carry on moving before the next traffic signal kicks in.
So there will be no cumulative queuing.
We do not expect any queuing to occur between tram crossings.
You say that the
Are you talking about the tram crossing on Eastfield Road?
Well, yes. I am talking about the one that you refer to in paragraph 3.29 of your statement.
The queue would have to extend a further 10m or 15m beyond that point. However, with that junction, any main impact would involve traffic coming off the A8 from the west via the slip road. We do not want queues to extend back to that point, because it would start to cause traffic congestion on the A8.
I understand that. That would be 10m to 15m more than the queue level that you are talking about.
As a minimum, yes. The queue level is given as the average queue, but we have also looked at the maximum queue and we are quite satisfied that that situation will not arise.
Given the expected increase in traffic and passenger numbers at Edinburgh airport, have you any idea of how much the traffic in that area will increase?
Yes. We undertook a significant traffic modelling exercise with Edinburgh airport as part of the resolution of its objection. We developed a detailed microsimulation traffic model of the full area. We were able to take the estimated growth in patronage at the airport, which at that point was 4 per cent per annum according to the white paper on airport traffic. Essentially that means that by 2015 or 2016, there could be double the amount of traffic on Eastfield Road. Even with that level of traffic, the tram crossing would not be a problem. The real problem is that there will be too much traffic on Eastfield Road, so the airport will have to make alternative surface access arrangements. We understand that that is being considered at the moment. The fact that there will be a tram crossing does not create a significant impact on traffic flow in the area.
Can you confirm that if there is significant traffic disruption in the area where Norwich Union's operations will be affected by the proposals, compensation will be payable?
If there is no tram in the area and the airport continues to grow at expected rates, there will certainly be heavier congestion along Eastfield Road. The net effect of the tram crossing will be very insignificant. We do not expect that the NCP, or the operation of the car park, will be substantially affected by the tram crossing or by the fact that the tramway will operate within a small section of the car park area.
What about compensation?
Compensation is not really my area. Presumably the compensation procedures that the City of Edinburgh Council has put in place and under which the district valuer would operate would allow for that.
I want to explore in a little more depth your answer to my first question. Let us suppose that we were to go down the alternative route proposed by Norwich Union. What would be the cost and timing implications of that?
I cannot give you a figure for the cost because when we considered that option, it was clear from the outset that it would be difficult to achieve. It did not achieve the main function of serving the park-and-ride site. At a very early stage, the Norwich Union alternative was not considered to be a serious contender.
On that basis, you did not carry out any extensive costings.
It was rejected as a viable option on that basis.
Thank you. Are there any other questions for Mr Sim?
No.
In that case, Mr Thomson, do you want to recall Mr Murray now, or do you want to re-examine Mr Sim?
I wonder whether I might re-examine Mr Sim on one point.
Yes.
Mr Sim, in paragraph 3.5 of your statement, you refer to an estimated loss of 50 to 100 spaces in the car park. Am I right in thinking that that is the best estimate that can be made until the detailed design alignment has been carried out?
That is right.
So, at this stage it is not practicable to look for a more refined figure than that.
Not at this stage. Although we have a relatively narrow limit of deviation in that area, it does allow for some movement of the tram alignment, which would obviously impact on the number of parking spaces that might be affected.
Is it the promoter's intention, once the refinement of the design process has taken place, to keep the land take to an absolute minimum?
Absolutely. Ultimately, the promoter will seek to take the minimum land that is necessary at the lowest cost. If the promoter can avoid taking car parking spaces, it will do so.
From your discussions with NCP as the tenant of Norwich Union, can you say whether NCP regards 50 to 100 spaces—at worst—as significant to its car park operation?
NCP does not appear to be too worried by the fact that 50 to 100 spaces could be lost.
Is it more worried about the continuity of its operation?
Absolutely. NCP has an operating car park at the moment and it wants its operation to continue. NCP is particularly concerned about its operation during the construction phase and also following the development of the scheme.
And have you been able to reassure NCP on the point of continuity of operation during construction?
Yes, I believe that we have.
Thank you, Mr Sim.
Thank you, Mr Sim. Do you have any questions for any other witness, Mr Thomson?
Yes. I wonder whether I might next turn to Mr Duke and then to Mr Murray.
Please proceed, Mr Thomson.
If I may, I will take you to paragraph 3.1 of your witness statement, Mr Duke. I refer to the point that we have come across before, that is, Scottish Executive Development Department circular 21/1984, which you tell us contains the Crichel Down rules. In fact, I think that the circular has now been amended and that the rule is now to be found in the amending circular. Will you give us the reference?
Yes. My evidence refers to circular 21/1984. However, the circular was updated by Scottish Office circular 38/1992 and it is that circular number that should have appeared in my evidence.
Thank you, Mr Duke.
Thank you, Mr Duke. I call Mr Purvis, but briefly.
Very briefly, given that the updated evidence is consistent with last week's evidence, do you expect to meet all the objectors' requests in that regard? Are they satisfied with regard to the operation of the rules?
In all cases in which this is an issue, the promoter's intention is to follow the rules and to dispose of land in the way that the rules govern.
Are the objectors aware of the rules?
Yes.
Right. Thank you.
No other member has a question for Mr Duke. Do you have any further questions, Mr Thomson?
I have no further questions, sir.
Thank you, Mr Duke. That completes your oral evidence today. I call Mr Murray. Please proceed with your questions, Mr Thomson.
I have no questions for Mr Murray. He is dealing with the code of construction practice and I have no questions on that subject.
Thank you, Mr Thomson. Does any member have a question for Mr Murray?
No.
That was fairly easy for you, Mr Murray.
The position in this case is that the proposed tram route crosses the car park that is owned by Norwich Union Life and Pensions Ltd and tenanted by the car park operator NCP. The ultimate land take will be kept to a minimum. It is not possible at this stage to define precisely what the land take will be. That is because the detailed design work on the alignment has not been carried out as yet.
Thank you, Mr Thomson.
Meeting continued in private until 10:04.