TRAM: British and Australian (American usually streetcar also trolley) noun [C] An electric vehicle that transports people, usually in cities, and goes along metal tracks in the road. (Taken from the Cambridge English Dictionary)
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TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH NEWS ROUND-UP
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 23rd December 2007
As well as the news that Princes Street could be shut for two months in 2009 as part of the construction (see other story) a few other news stories have come out from Edinburgh this week. They include a new official being appointed to oversee the relationship between the Council and tie, the sale of land in the city to help pay for the tram and a survey being launched amongst traders over the affect of the construction.
* A Council report has been released which recommends approving the tram project once and for all (this was expected to be confirmed by the Council a the end of last week – but I can find no confirmation). This report also suggests a new official is appointed to monitor the relationship between tie and the Council. The project is currently on time and on budget according to the report which recommends that the Council gives permission for tie to enter into the contracts with BBS (for construction of the tram lines) and CAF (for the trams).
Cllr Phil Wheeler said: “This report gives councillors and the city confidence to proceed with creating Edinburgh's tram network. The costings continue to be affordable, the business case is good and we have a superb team on board to deliver this major project for our city. Subject to the approval of full council, we will formally be able to award the contract to the world-class company who are installing the tracks, stops and lines. This takes us yet another step closer to a modern, clean and efficient transport system."
Willie Gallagher, chairman of tie, added: “This is the final stage of the approval process and we are confident that Edinburgh's councillors will accept our recommendations and approve the scheme. It is a fantastic business case that will deliver real benefits for the Capital. Thursday's vote will ensure that Edinburgh has a public transport network that is the envy of the world."
* Edinburgh City Council are to sell approximately £10 million worth of their own land to help pay for their contribution towards the tram. Most of the land being sold will be surrounding the tramway to the Airport with housing being the main beneficiary of this land. Other land could well be sold off around Balgreen Primary School, Bankhead Drive and Constitution Street Yards. Despite this plan the SNP are still not convinced (surprise, surprise!) that the project will come in on budget, Cllr Nick Elliot-Cannon, the SNP Finance Spokesman, said: “We still have real concerns over the tram scheme, not least because nearly every major public construction project in recent history has run over budget and it is Edinburgh's taxpayers who will pick up the bill."
* The Federation of Small Businesses are launching a survey of Edinburgh traders to see what the impact of the construction works have been so far. Graham Russell, branch chairman, said: “As each section of the survey is completed, a full analysis of the results will be distributed to the business community and its representative organisations, in order that any necessary lessons can be learned and hopefully implemented prior to the track-laying phase commencing. The FSB in Edinburgh is certain that the results will greatly assist and benefit the final planning and implementation of the track-laying phase." Amongst the questions asked will be about the project’s communications, the extent of disruption, whether compensation payments have been received and whether they were adequate.
