Edinburgh Council looking into anti-skid coating for tram tracks

Edinburgh tram bosses are said to be considering the use of skid-resistant materials for the city’s tram tracks with over a hundred cyclists currently pursuing claims after falls.

Jayne Crawford, a partner at Thompsons, the law firm representing 110 cyclists who have fallen on the city’s tram lines, says that with festival season approaching, it is inevitable that tourists will join their number.

“As each month passes, concerns grow within Edinburgh’s cycling community that accidents on tram lines still continue to happen.

“We’re about to enter the festival season when we welcome tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world. Many of them will choose to cycle around our beautiful city. I fear it’s inevitable that some will be injured on the tram lines in similar circumstances to permanent residents.

“The people who run our city know we all benefit greatly from these visitors and they have a duty of care to protect them as well as permanent residents.”

Transport leader Councillor Lesley Hinds told Herald Scotland that the council was currently looking into whether a skid-resistant tram track material might prove a viable solution.

"We constantly monitor new developments so that our resources can be targeted to ensure best value.

"We understand there is work ongoing to develop skid-resistant materials specifically for tram tracks and we are interested to see how this progresses.

"Cycle safety is of utmost importance to the council and to this end we continue to make every effort to raise awareness of the impact of the tram on all road users.

"We will continue to demonstrate our commitment to cycling in Edinburgh, prioritising cycle safety, alongside any development in the city."

Spokes, the Lothian cycle campaign, has previously said that collisions are happening to experienced riders as well as novices with the main black spot the route from Morrison Street to Haymarket Terrace.

Mary Ranson, a Geography student from the city, is among those pursuing a compensation claim after falling off her bike on Princes Street in March.

She told Deadline News: “I went to turn right and my front wheel got caught in the tram track and I fell off. When I looked up there was a tram there. It had stopped not far from my head. I ended up in Accident and Emergency and I have long-lasting damage to my right leg and it is never going to be as strong as it was.

“I’m pretty terrified of the trams now. I don’t enjoy cycling any more and I avoid cycling on Princes Street.”