IT’S FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR EDINBURGH’S TRAMS!
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 1st July 2007

Following a vote this past week the SNP have backtracked and have said the Trams for Edinburgh project can go-ahead – work will now commence on diverting utilities on Monday 9 July.

At the vote in the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday MSPs voted 81 to 47 in favour of an amendment by Wendy Alexander of Labour to press ahead with the trams (and also to sort out the difficulties with the EARL). All the opposition parties (Labour, Liberal Democrats, Conservatives, Greens and the Independent) backed the amendment. Then in a surprise move the SNP revealed almost immediately that they would bow to the will of the Executive and approve the plans for the tram – but no more money would be made available on top of the £500 million already promised.

John Swinney, Finance Secretary, said: “It will not be on every occasion that we are in a position to accept the views of Parliament, for a whole variety of particular reasons. But on this occasion we think it’s appropriate to accede to the will of Parliament and the government will accept the terms of the motion that he has just been passed.”

Mr Swinney added: “I am the minister for finance in the Scottish government, and I’m making it absolutely clear that is it. Don’t knock at my door asking for money because the answer will be no.”

Wendy Alexander was delighted by the outcome: “Today is about the will of Parliament and whether Edinburgh deserves a proper infrastructure for a capital. It is the opposition today who are acting in the interest of the country.”

Willie Gallagher, Chairman of tie, commented: “On behalf of the tie Board I welcome today’s decision by the Scottish Executive to continue work on the Edinburgh Trams project. This is great news for all concerned. Importantly, it ends a worrying period of uncertainty for employees, industry partners and bidders. I am pleased that the Audit Scotland report played such a key role in today’s debate. tie and the City of Edinburgh Council can now get on with the job of delivering world class Trams for Edinburgh.”

Cllr Jenny Dawe, City of Edinburgh Council leader, added: “Trams will give the Capital the vital tools to equip it for the future. This is now a brighter future where commuters, residents, businesses and visitors will enjoy quicker journeys, more investment in our city, more accessible public transport and cleaner air, just as they do in many of our competitor cities."

Ron Hewitt, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, commented: “"It is also a vote of confidence which sends a message to existing and potential investors in our Capital that we can make difficult decisions and deliver positive outcomes, that will ensure their investment is well placed and supported by an infrastructure fit for purpose for the 21st century."

With no more funding available from the Scottish Executive – something that the Conservatives were very keen on ensuring – it will be up to the City of Edinburgh Council to sort out any additional money. It appears that the private New Edinburgh Tram Company would be interested in assisting as mentioned on their website.

The work on diverting utilities will commence on Monday 9 July with Ocean Drive, Leith between Tower Street and Commercial Wharf due to be dug up for this work. It is expected this phase will last around 9 weeks, and the whole utility diversion 18 months. The construction of the tram lines should start by the end of year.
Source: The Scotsman, tie, BBC News Online & New Edinburgh Tramways Company.