Edinburgh trams: Princes Street to open to buses and taxis on Saturday

The current timetable indicates that trams should be in service in 2014

Edinburgh's Princes Street is to reopen to taxis and buses on Saturday following tram works.

However, York Place will then close to all vehicles except buses from 14 July, before being completely shut from September until the end of 2013.

The bus station will also be closed for more than a year to allow the laying of tram tracks.

Princes Street will be open west of Waverley Bridge on Saturday, when The Mound will also reopen to all vehicles.

'Welcome boost'

Lesley Hinds, Edinburgh City Council's transport convener, said: "The new administration is determined to make sure that the project will continue to move forward, in a spirit of cooperation, with all the parties working together.

"Edinburgh tram works are being managed to a clearly defined programme with this work scheduled to start now in order to deliver the project by the summer of 2014.

"Meanwhile the re-opening of Princes Street, west of Waverley Bridge, will come as a welcome boost to business at what remains a challenging period for traders."

Council chief executive Sue Bruce said: "Throughout the tram works, people have adapted quickly to the new traffic systems and bus diversions once they have had the chance to bed in.

"This is a significant work package in the programme and its implementation is in itself a clear indication of continuing meaningful progress."