NEWS: Tram Wars

By Mark McLaughlin
Edinburgh Evening News
November 18, 2008

TRAM workers today told how they had been attacked with bricks and even suffered abuse from pensioners as they dig up Edinburgh's roads.

Workers on Leith Walk spoke out about regular clashes with residents and traders over the roadworks.

As well as a steady stream of verbal abuse, workers say they have also had to contend with bricks being thrown at them from tenement windows.

Trams firm TIE said today it was unaware of the incidents but said it would investigate the reports.

One worker, approached by the Evening News, said: "We've had bricks and stones thrown from tenement flats above the tram route.

"We've also had a lot of hassle with the traders saying we've ruined their livelihood.

"I've had gangs come up to me and threaten to tear my head off, and they've even threatened to follow me home to find out where my family lives.

"One pensioner came up to us recently and said she was glad we were leaving for the Christmas period, and told us to 'eff off' and not come back."

As well as putting up with constant abuse, he said many of the workers, employed by contractor Carillion, were also facing difficulties finding work while the tram works stop for the festive season. He added: "Eighty per cent of the guys on site are from Edinburgh or the Lothians.

"A lot of our boys are subcontractors, and many of them are self-employed so when there's no work on, they don't get paid."

Another worker in a different part of the city said morale among the teams had hit rock bottom.

He said: "There is not one person that wants to be here now.

"I have had people shouting at me in the street, but we are only doing our job.

"People even threw bricks at some of the guys working on Leith Walk. TIE have just washed their hands of it and told them to give the details to the police."

A police spokesman said there was no record of complaints from tram workers, while TIE also insisted there had been no mention of any incidents in the reports from Carillion.

No-one from Carillion was available to comment.

Leith Walk Traders Association chairman Gordon Burgess said that if workers were being attacked, it was disgraceful.

"We've had our differences with TIE, and had a go at some of the workers for the road closures but at the end of the day these guys are only doing their job.

"If the ill feeling on the street has escalated to violence it must certainly be condemned."

Stewart Blaik, chairman of Leith Central Community Council, said the tram workers had been generally co-operative with residents' requests and added: "Anyone with a complaint about the tram works should take it to TIE, not take it out on the guys on the street." ***