An official report into the Edinburgh Tram scheme has given details of where various areas of work are currently at – with the depot at Gogar said to be only 19% complete, despite the fact that trams are due to start arriving in the next few months. Despite this report tie officials claim is it progressing well.
Of the sections of work mentioned in the report the one furthest forward is the Edinburgh Park Viaduct (87%) quickly followed by the Gogarburn Bridge (85%), the only other section over half completed is the track laying on the guided busway which is at 70%. Other sections are Haymarket Viaduct (42%), Depot building (19%), Carrick Knowe Bridge (44%) and the Russell Road retaining wall (17%).
A spokeswoman for Edinburgh Trams said: “The progress on the depot is going well and the structure now has walls, floors and the roof in place. The remaining 81 per cent is made up primarily of the fit out of the building, which includes all the plant and equipment. Tram vehicles are not intended to go to the depot when they arrive anyway, as they will be put on public display."
The report also claims that the utility diversion work is now 97% complete with completion expected in September – although Bilfinger Berger would probably dispute that fact!
With the Depot building still not looking anywhere near complete the plan is for at least the first tram to go on display somewhere in the City Centre and discussions are also believed to be continuing with London Tramlink for nocturnal testing near to the Therapia Lane depot.
In addition to a progress report on where the project is at the report also states that it is looking increasingly likely the project will go over budget. It states: “At this stage, there is now a strong probability that the project cost out-turn will exceed the available approved funding."
Source: The Scotsman