Over 100 cyclists suing council over tram line injuries

Over 100 cyclists are now suing Edinburgh City Council after suffering injuries on the capital’s tram lines.

The news comes amid plans to extend the lines to Leith and Newhaven, with campaigners urging councillors to avoid what they claim are design flaws in the current lines.

Before the lines were built, consultants from the Netherlands said cyclists would be safest if they could only cross the lines at 90 degrees and if separate cycle lanes were created where they would travel opposite to the trams.

But these proposals were not acted on and are believed to be a major factor in the spate of accidents that have occurred since 2009.

Stewart White, of Thompsons Solicitors, is acting on behalf of over 110 cyclists who have suffered fractures, broken bones and facial injuries.

He said: “These consultants came over from the Netherlands, they made a series of recommendations and they basically said ‘if you can’t do this safely it’s better not to do it at all’.

“We have a system that for cyclists is totally dysfunctional and it’s dangerous as well.”

He added the claims could range from hundreds of pounds to sums totalling five figures in more serious cases.

Since 2009 when the lines were first laid there have been 260 accidents.

In Sheffield, there have been 16 since the Supertram launched in 1994 and nine in Croydon, which started its tramlink in 2000.

And Mr White thinks only 40 per cent of all accidents have even been reported, meaning the real figure could be over 500.

Transport convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “Cycle safety is of utmost importance and we have gone to every effort to raise awareness of the impact of the tram on all road users.

“Cyclists are advised to take care when travelling near the tram tracks.”