Karen Calvert Montpeliers
Gill Hames Neals Yard Remedies
Eleanor Leech Trotters
Cllr. Beckett
Cllr. Mowat
Dorothy Anderson St Andrews & St Georges
Brian Smellie Grays of Edinburgh
Anne Gallagher S & N
Tracey Downs Lakeland
Emperor Design
Jim McGhee Jean McGhee Recruitment

• Now in final phase of BID project, the final proposal has been approved by the council. CEC have agreed to cover ballot and levt collection charges CEC have guaranteed £225,000 funding for this year and agreed to fund a further 2 years the amounts not confirmed. In addition CEC will give office free of charge.
  
• A summarised version of the proposal will be sent to all companies within BID area. A full version will be available online. GSA will email link to full version when it is available. Ballot papers will be sent to businesses 11/04/08 ballot ends 23/05/08 result of the ballot will be available from 26/05/08.
  
• The first British BIDs conference will be held in Edinburgh, George Hotel, 05/02/08
  
• VO’B queried Re. Minute 4 December meeting - measurable projects, IB responded that this point has been taken on board and measurable targets had been put in place.
  For further information see BIDs.

1. Communication and briefing of businesses/stakeholders should be improved.
2. Re-routing of bus routes – how was the decision made
3. Timescale of disruption
4. Parking both removal and erection of temporary parking
5. Marketing

VO’B welcomed BC & GA to the meeting, giving a brief resume of the GSA concerns as listed.
GA distributed maps showing work taking place at the moment (see attached). These works are enabling works removing traffic islands, pavement widening etc, to allow access to MUDFLA diverting utilities, and also allowing flow of traffic without full closure of Princes Street. These works are pre-dominantly taking place at Hope Street, Frederick Street and S. St Andrew & S St David Street. At this point there are no plans to close Princes Street to traffic.

Shandwick Place will be closed from February 19th for approx 8-10 weeks. Bill Campbell distributed maps showing relocation of buses during this period, (see attached).
In answer to GSA concerns:-

1. Communication – VO’B commented that TIE had not communicated with businesses facing disruption.
   
   • GA replied TIE is leafleting 9000 businesses and residents along Shandwick Place route. There will be drop-in venues giving information.
   
   • GA asked if a representative from GSA could attend TIE retail forum, the committee agreed to send a representative.
   
   • The committee emphasised to GA that communication should be ongoing and should be given at planning stages also; this would equip GSA and organisations to respond to media enquiries.
   
   • DS asked TIE contact the GSA of any update affecting our members or changes to road closures.
   
   • GA stated the TIE had no control over the media, but would try to improve communication with businesses and stakeholders.
   
2. Bus Re-routing - The decision not to divert along Queen Street was taken after surveying the majority of bus users’ destination on alighting bus. (Princes Street and immediate area)
   
   • Models were run by Faber Maunsell using various routes through the city centre the routes chosen were the least disruptive.
   
   • Traffic from Haymarket travelling east will be diverted along Melville Street, Queensferry Street, south side of Charlotte Square down to Princes Street – Traffic travelling West will be diverted Lothian Road, via West Approach Road back to Haymarket. Buses travelling from Queensferry Road will go along south side of Charlotte Square and along George Street, via Frederick Street to Princes Street.
   
   • TIE had taken on board GSA concerns that 2 way traffic through Charlotte Square/George Street would cause severe congestion, the alternative west bound route of Lothian Road then opted.
   
3. Timescale - 8-10 weeks - DS queried if this could be shortened – BC replied this is the shortest timescale that the MUDFLA engineers could give, Lothian Buses would also prefer to return to usual routes as soon as possible, there is no suggestion of moving buses permanently to George Street. The return to usual routes will be co-ordinated with general traffic plans, liaising with Keith Rimmer, Head of Traffic Planning, CEC. The section of Princes Street near the Mound may cause traffic disruption when MUDFLA reaches this location.
   
4. Parking – George Street will lose parking on pavement sides but will continue to have central parking, there will be a loss of parking spaces in Frederick Street.
   
   • Provision will be made for delivery drop off and disabled parking.
   
   • CEC are trying to keep the equilibrium on parking spaces, inevitably there will be a loss of parking spaces this will be kept to a minimum.
   
   • Bus Stop s will be located in Westmont block as marked at present, second block - just west of Frederick St.
   
   • Pedestrian crossing to remain as present. This may be reviewed if the traffic situation warrants it.
   • At present no decision has been made to relocate monuments in George Street.
   
5. Marketing – TIE has set up a marketing strategy ‘Open for Business’ Helen O’Hanlon, ECCM and Graham Birse assisting in this regard. DS commented that it would be beneficial to emphasise the positive aspect of Tram Installation such as the revamp of streetscape in Leith Walk,
   A general discussion followed - concern was raised over the likely congestion at Hope Street and traffic delays. BC responded this was of concern to Lothian Buses also. The quick resumption of usual routes would benefit all concerned. Insp BJ queried LBP representative, BC responded Caroline MacKay, attended TIE Traffic forum on behalf of Lothian & Borders Police; BJ will contact her regarding this issue. The chairman thanked BC & GA for attending the meeting.
   For further information see TIE.