The summary of the Audit Scotland report follows (as reported on BBC News Online):
* Both projects (it was a joint report with the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link) went through the parliamentary approval process to obtain authority to proceed and were developed in response to national, regional and local transport strategies.
* The current anticipated final cost of Phase 1 of the tram project is £593.8m and estimated project costs were subjected to robust testing.
* The Scottish Executive committed to provide up to £500m for Phase 1a of the trams project and Edinburgh City Council a further £45m, with funding for Phase 1b yet to be confirmed.
* A total of £79m was spent on the project up to the end of May 2007, including £17m to take the project through the parliamentary process.
* Some "slippage" in the trams project occurred.
* There was a clear corporate governance structure in place to manage the trams project, well defined project management and organisation, sound financial management and reporting, good risk management procedures, and a procurement strategy aimed at minimising risk.

The results of the audit led all the major political parties – with the exception of the SNP of course – to back the tram project, although the Conservatives did say they would like to see a ceiling to the cost of the trams.

Margaret Smith, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, said: “It's difficult to see how the trams could have got a better bill of health. There is absolutely nothing in this report that would justify the SNP stopping the project."

Cllr Phil Wheeler, Edinburgh City Council transport leader, said: “This independent audit has confirmed to the whole of the city and country that robust management and procedures are in place to deliver a successful tram scheme. I now urge the First Minister to make a swift decision that will equip the capital and country with the modern transport system it needs to help commuters, attract investment and make us a greener city. Buses alone cannot manage the growing travel needs of the city."

Paul Tetlaw, chairman of TRANSform Scotland – a transport campaign group, added: “The Scottish Executive has now simply no case upon which to scrap the trams. It is vital for the Capital's economy and for our environment that it now presses ahead with the early completion of the tram scheme, including the Haymarket to Granton spur in order to serve Edinburgh's Waterfront. The tram scheme has overwhelming support from businesses, retailers, educational institutions, major employers, charities and the voluntary sector. Cancelling the tram project at this stage would be seen as an attack on the future of the Capital."

However, David McLetchie, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands and Conservative business manager, did urge a note of caution as regards the cost – saying there could not be a blank cheque for the project. Mr McLetchie said: “We realise there is great public concern about the overall costs and the increases there have been to date. We believe as a further discipline the Scottish Executive should not give any more money for trams than has previously been committed. It is then up to the council and TIE to find the remainder of the money from other resources and if they cannot do that the project should not go ahead." He said that the Scottish Executive’s maximum contribution should now be capped at £500 million.

But Alex Salmond confirmed during First Minister’s questions that he is still not in favour of the project. In answer to Labour leader Jack McConnell’s question he said: “If we were – and I will be voting against it – to start digging up the roads of Edinburgh for this project, it's a bit like Mastermind. If you start, you end up having to finish."

There is now to be a vote in the Scottish Executive on Wednesday (27 June) to decide whether to go-ahead with the plans. Current indications suggest that the SNP will not get support from any of the rival parties on the tram project, however, the EARL is a different matter with at least the Greens known to be against the idea. Wednesday will also see the SNP put its own assessment on the projects. It is not clear at this stage whether there will be two separate votes or one vote on both projects – if it is the latter this may be a way for the SNP to ditch the tram project once and for all.

* Cllr Steve Cardownie – SNP Group Leader on Edinburgh City Council – has written an article which has been published on The Scotsman website - here.

* The full Audit Scotland report is available for download on the BBC News Online website here.
Source: The Scotsman & BBC News Online

NEW DLR STRATFORD PLATFORM OPENS
Docklands Light Railway - Sunday 24 June 2007
The Docklands Light Railway opened the first of the two new platforms at Stratford Station last Monday (18 June). This new platform, funded as part of the TFL’s £10bn Investment Programme, is situated on the mezzanine level of the station and connects directly into the Jubilee station building.

The new platform provides improved passenger waiting facilities, CCTV, information services and seating. The second platform will be opened in September – this will offer passengers greater capacity by allowing the DLR to run trains to and from Stratford alongside each other.

The platforms are needed as there is expected to be a large increase in passengers at Stratford over the next few years as the result of the Stratford International Station, ongoing development of Stratford City and the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said: “The successful completion of this stage in the project to deliver an improved and expanded Stratford Docklands Light Railway, means we are on track for the complete upgraded station later this year. This will benefit passengers by providing more trains in a better environment."

The station was designed by architects Alsop and features an impressive soaring roof made from steel and aluminium with several skylights to allow natural light down onto the platforms, while underneath the roof there is backlighting.

Jonathan Fox, Director of DLR, said: “We are delighted to open our new Stratford platform, which is truly eye-catching and offers the space and facilities needed for our ever-growing number of passengers. We now eagerly anticipate the second platform opening later this year, and, looking further ahead, the opening of the DLR Stratford International extension in 2010."

The old DLR single platform, which was part of the original route to Stratford when it opened in 1987, has now closed permanently.
Source: Transport for London

NOW LEEDS WANT TROLLEYBUSES
Leeds - Sunday 24 June 2007
The City of Leeds seem to have finally accepted the government decision to stop their Supertram project in its tracks by releasing plans to construct a trolleybus system in the city – with the Yorkshire and Humber Assembly’s Regional Transport Board backing its plan.

The 20km trolleybus network is based upon the routes originally planned for Leeds Supertram with a city centre loop, a north route through Headingley, a south route to Storton and a east route which takes into account housing and regeneration to the east of Leeds. There would be considerable Park and Ride provision at the edge of the city.

Services would be operated be state of the art, fully accessible tram style vehicles which pick up their power supply from overhead wires. This would give the network the sense of permanence associated with tram systems while at the same time reducing climate change emissions and avoiding future reliance on fossil fuels.

Cllr Andrew Carter, Leeds City Council executive member for development and regeneration and the Leeds City Region representative of the Regional Transport Board, commented: “Developing the bus rapid transit scheme for Leeds is a vital part of our plans to halt growing congestion in the city and underpin our ongoing prosperity and growth. Seventy per cent of new jobs in region are created in Leeds which means the scheme is key to the whole region’s growth as well as the city’s. People living and working in Leeds will be able to enjoy travelling on an efficient, quiet and frequent service which is beneficial to the environment and commuters will be able to leave their cars at the city boundary and travel into the centre. We look forward to working with our transport partners in taking the scheme forward and preparing a business plan for the Department for Transport. Since the collapse of the Leeds Supertram, we have worked hard with other local authorities to gain support for our new proposals – at last we can get going again.”

A full business case will now be developed and submitted to the Department for Transport. It is believed that the trolleybuses would deliver many of the congestion busting benefits that Supertram would have provided, with greater flexibility for future extensions into other areas. Independent advisors have calculated it would deliver a Benefit/Cost Ratio which meets the DfT’s requirements, which would expect to fund the scheme from its Regional Funding Allocations with a 10% local contribution.

The old DLR single platform, which was part of the original route to Stratford when it opened in 1987, has now closed permanently.
Source: Leeds City Council

BTP LAUNCH CRACKDOWN ON TRAMLINK CRIME
Croydon Tramlink - Sunday 24 June 2007
The British Transport Police launched a five day operation – Operation Hereford – last week on the Croydon Tramlink network as an attempt to curb disorder from youths on the network over the summer.

The crackdown was undertaken at this time of year because historically upon return after the May Half Term break school children became more unruly – with both robbery and fighting normally seeing an increase.

Inspector Jack Ioannou, from the BTP, commented: “To counter these historic increases, BTP and Tramlink revenue staff joined forces for a five-day proactive operation providing passenger reassurance and a policing presence on the tram network. While there were few incidents recorded during the operation we did receive very favourable feedback from commuters."
Source: Croydon Guardian

TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH NEWS ROUND-UP
Trams for Edinburgh - Sunday 24 June 2007
* In other news from Edinburgh in the past week a survey of commuters has revealed that there is still significant support for the tram plan. The poll asked more than 850 employees and students on the Edinburgh Waterfront scheme and more than 75% of those questioned said they would use the tram to get to work.

The survey was undertaken by TRANSform Scotland and showed:
77% of students at Telford College would use the tram (53% would be ditching the car to do so)
81% of staff at the Granton HQ of Scottish Gas would travel by tram (63% dumping the car)

Paul Tetlaw, chair of TRANSform Scotland, commented: “We urge the Scottish Executive to ensure that this project now moves forward to completion in the shortest possible time."

Roy Harris, Telford College principal, added: “This report has confirmed that a tram scheme servicing Edinburgh's Waterfront remains a popular option with our staff and students and we therefore continue to support its development."

* Meanwhile tie have warned that if the tram project is not given the go-ahead soon there may be a severe loss of experts and senior staff from the project team. Cllr Phil Wheeler, transport leader, said: “A delay is liable to lead to the best people being poached and that will impact on the scheme and our ability to deliver. And delay could have an adverse impact on staff morale and retention."
Source: The Scotsman

DRIVER ERROR LED TO BENSON ROAD COLLISION – RAIB
Midland Metro - Sunday 17 June 2007
The 19 December 2006 collision between trams 09 and 10 is the latest incident on the UK’s tramways to be the subject of a report from the RAIB. You may remember that this collision happened when 10 hit the back of stationary 09, which had failed, causing disruption to the Midland Metro service – which is still felt today as both trams remain out of service due to the damage caused to their cabs.

The incident happened when both trams were heading for Birmingham near to the Soho Benson Road stop at around 1151 on 19 December 2006. 09 developed a technical fault which caused an automatic application of the service brake bringing the tram to a halt which was resolved twice before a recurrence of the fault in the Benson Road vicinity bought it to another stop.

The radio system to contact trams was at this time out of use and mobile phones were being used for contact between trams and the control centre. The driver of 10 was warned that 09 was experiencing difficulties and was only slightly in front. When the trams did collide 09 was obscured from view by vegetation and the driver of 10 was attempting to repair his sunblind which was not working correctly and was needed due to low sun. On seeing the failed tram in front the driver of 10 did apply his hazard brake although this did not prevent the collision which occurred at 24 kmh. Both trams came to a rest 0.9 metres from the initial point of impact.

Severe damage was suffered by both trams and 13 passengers had to be taken to hospital for treatment for injuries, although they were all released the same day.

The report gives the following as the causes of the incident:
* Tram 10 did not stop short of tram 09 which was stationary due to a technical fault
* tram 10’s driver did not modify their driving technique when dazzled by the low lying winter sun
* tram 10’s driver was too late in applying the tram’s hazard brake
* tram 10’s driver had reduced vision in the direction of travel while dazzled by the low lying winter sun
* tram 10’s driver became occupied with adjusting a sunblind that would not remain in position to screen sunlight
* the TMM procedure for tram failure did not require a tram to display hazard warning lights while causing an obstruction

The report also gives the following recommendations:
* TMM should: (ii) amend the maintenance regime to ensure that sunblind mechanisms remain fit for purpose over their working lives;
(iii) amend their procedures to ensure that fleet checks are carried out to a standard sufficient to correctly identify faults
* TMM should amend their procedure for tram failure to require the use of hazard warning lights immediately a tram is causing an obstruction
* TMM should conduct a risk assessment into their off-street operation to identify improvements that could be made in the identification of and response to unexpected hazards, including obstructions on the tramway

For full details on the incident (including photos of the trams after collision) you find can find the official RAIB report here.
Source: RAIB

MSPs WILL GET FINAL SAY ON TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH
Trams for Edinburgh - Sunday 17 June 2007
The Scottish National Party have agreed to a Conservative proposal for a debate on ministers’ proposals for the Edinburgh Tram project and also the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link. This led to the SNP not losing its first major vote in the Executive and “calls on the Scottish Executive to bring forward a motion for parliamentary debate within its own time on these issues". This, however, will not take place until after a report from Audit Scotland (commissioned this week – see separate report) on the projects is given to the Executive – this is due by 20 June.

During a debate at Holyrood, Des McNulty, transport spokesman for Labour, said: “The cloak of Audit Scotland involvement cannot mask the fact the SNP is defying the previous decisions of Parliament [and] the majority view of members of the current Parliament. Each week without a decision ratified by this Parliament means costs on the trams in particular will rack up and momentum will be lost."

In reply the transport minister, Stewart Stevenson, commented: “It's our priority to protect the Scottish taxpayer and ensure all major transport projects deliver value for money. We must be building on solid foundations."

However, Tavish Scott – the former transport minister – claimed that if this really was the position of the SNP they should be reviewing all transport projects. He added: “This is a political decision and they're trying to find the evidence for it."

Also during this debate it was claimed that millions of pounds are being wasted on the project stalling with tie confirming that £5million was still being spent per month of the two projects – mainly paying for staff.
Source: The Scotsman

REVIEW ORDERED INTO TRAM PROJECT
Trams for Edinburgh - Sunday 17 June 2007
Audit Scotland – the spending watchdog in Scotland – has been called in by the Scottish Executive to urgently review the transport projects planned for Edinburgh, including the Trams for Edinburgh project.

Finance Secretary, John Swinney, said he wanted to make sure Scottish tax payers were protected and to ensure major transport projects benefited travellers and the economy. He said: “I want to be absolutely sure about the calculation of the costs involved in these projects, and the assessment of risk involved, before they progress any further.”

Audit Scotland have been asked to review the process used to assess costs and risks to delivery. It will cover the approach, methodology and the scope of the assessment used to identify costs.

The move to call for this review has been welcomed by both the Conservatives and Edinburgh City Council. Cllr Phil Wheeler, executive member for transport, said: “It should provide the evidence and confidence for both politicians and the public to endorse the project going ahead. I am confident that the project has a rigorous governance and management structure which ensures there is a tight grasp on processes, costs and potential risks. Staff involved and contractors under consideration have UK and world-wide experience in delivering high quality light rail systems on time and budget."

However, Cllr Ricky Henderson, the former transport spokesman on the Council, said: “Everything to do with the project has come in on budget so far and it’s all transparent and well managed. I don’t think the SNP has ever demonstrated any commitment to this project. I suspect some people in the SNP will do everything they can to undermine the project and the people involved. There is no reason to fear this review.”
Source: BBC News Online & The Scotsman

STRONG SUPPORT FOR CRYSTAL PALACE TRAMLINK
Croydon Tramlink - Sunday 17 June 2007
Strong support continues to be shown for the plans to extend the Tramlink network into Crystal Palace with more than twice as many positive comments as negative from people replying to the latest consultation and a petition from businesses in the town showed 75 are in favour of the scheme.

1,520 responses were received by Transport for London (TfL) during the consultation with positive responses such as “It will make journeys to and from Croydon shorter and more convenient" and “"The sooner the better - long overdue" received.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, commented: “"These consultation results show there is strong support for the proposed Tramlink extension to Crystal Palace. The extension would deliver a high quality, regular tram service for local people helping to ease congestion and reduce pollution by providing an alternative to the car."

The consultation asked respondents as to which of three potential route options for the northern part of the extension they preferred and what they thought of the extension in general. The three route options were:
* Option 1: Anerley Hill (on-street)
* Option 2: Crystal Palace Park (via existing railway alignment)
* Option 3: Anerley Road/Crystal Palace Park

67& of people responding said Option 2 – which would run off-street along the existing railway line and through the edge of Crystal Palace Park – was their preferred option with 18% favouring Option 3 and 15% Option 1.

The reasons people gave for liking Option 2 was that it would have the least impact on traffic and also provide a good interchange with Crystal Palace Railway Station.

Luke Albanese, Project Director for TfL, said: “The responses we have had from local residents are very positive. People can see how the extension of Tramlink to Crystal Palace will make it easier to get to work, restaurants, shops and local facilities. The comments we received on the options will help inform the design of the extension."

TfL are now going to look at which route is best overall, taking into account the cost of construction, passenger numbers, environmental impact and the views of residents and stakeholders from consultation. The decision is expected by the end of 2007.

However, not everyone is happy about the plans with John Payne, chairman of Crystal Palace Community Association, complaining that TfL have not suggested terminating the extension at Crystal Palace low level station. He said: “We are also not convinced an extension into the centre would actually benefit traders in the Triangle. We fear it may actually move people away from the area rather than bring them in."
Source: Transport for London & icCroydon