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| News...March 2007...News...March 2007...News...March 2007...News This Page was last updated Saturday 24 March 2007 |
| All the news carried on these pages is done so in good faith and the source is always quoted, normally with hyperlinks. If you have a correction to give us on a news story or have any additional news that can be added do not hestiate to email us . We are grateful for those people who have given us permission to use their images and news on this page. |
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For all previous news pages click here to go to the new News Index page which provides links to news dating back to September 2002. Photos on this page: The body of replica Llandudno & Colwyn Bay 7 on the newly acquired air-braked trailer (added 4 March 2007) Tram tracks remaining in situ in the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum, Birmingham (added 18 March 2007) Blackpool Balloon 726 in an all over yellow livery at the depot (added 24 March 2007) |
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News In Brief Blackpool: Balloon 726 has now been released by the Paint Shop in an all over yellow livery style, having lost its pleasing Thwaites Bitter all over advert. It is hoped that the tram will receive a new advertising contract before the summer as plain liveried trams get dirty very quickly. (24/3/07 - Alan Robson) DLR: Throughout the Easter weekend (6-9 April) services will be suspended between Bank/Tower Gateway and Canary Wharf/Blackwall/Stratford because of engineering works. Trains will only operate between Canary Wharf and Lewsiham, Blackwall and King George V and Blackwall and Beckton with buses replacing services for all other stations (with the exception of West India Quay and Poplar) from Blackwall and Canary Wharf. (24/3/07 - DLR) Edinburgh: tie have confirmed that they are still considering whether to have a dedicated shuttle bus from the tramway to the Western General Hospital or whether to use a normal service bus service to transport passengers. This has been a major debating point over the last few years. (24/3/07 - The Scotsman) Manchester: The organisers of the opening of a new champagne bar Opulence in Altrincham are to charter a tram to transport VIP guests from Piccadilly to Altrincham next Thursday (28 March). The report states: “They're planning to roll out the red carpet, temporarily upholster the seats, and provide onboard entertainment for guests. Despite the event being sponsored by Krug - due to GMPTE rules no alcohol must pass the lips of the VIP's en route. This is the first time a tram has been specifically chartered for a private party". (24/3/07 - Gordon Ferguson) Manchester: The Manchester Evening News have recently run a survey on the subject of congestion charging with interesting results. Obviously the majority of people are against the idea although more people are enamoured with it if it means the funding will be available through the Transport Innovation Fund. Full details of the views people in the Greater Manchester area on this subject can be found by clicking the link to the right. (18/3/07 - Manchester Evening News) Nottingham: Today (Saturday 24 March) sees the official reopening of Old Market Square in Nottingham City Centre with an Opening Spectatcular. With any luck this will make for better photography in the area without the bright lime green hoardings reflecting in the trams. Because of this between 1749 and 2140 all trams will turn at the Royal Centre and will not service Old Market Square, Lace Market or Station Street and northbound departures will use the southbound stop. (24/3/07 - NET) Nottingham: Incredibly the tramstop at The Forest has come sixth in a Royal Institute of British Architects survey of local residents on their favourite modern buildings in the city. It was beaten in the survey by buildings such as The Cornerhouse, National Ice Centre, Magistrates’ Courts, Exchange Flats and Hart’s Hotel. Full details of the survey can be found as ever by following the link to the right. (24/3/07 - This is Nottingham) Sheffield: Supertram services were disrupted in Sheffield after a digger hit cables supporting overhead power lines at around 1315 on Monday (19 March) in Ridgeway Road near to the Hollinsend Road tramstop. Services between Halfway, Herdings Park and Sheffield city centre were suspended into the evening whilst repairs were undertaken. During this period trams ran City Centre-Spring Lane and to the southeast of Manor Top with buses in between. (24/3/07 - Sheffield Today) ------------------------------------------------- Blackpool: Trams are now running from North Pier to Fleetwood following the completion of the trackwork in the Cleveleys area, services resumed from Monday 12 March. Buses will continue to operate from North Pier to Starr Gate whilst the work from Manchester Square to South Pier is completed – in time for opening at Easter. The timetable in operation is that which operated through November and December and at the start of January – details here. (18/3/07 - Blackpool Transport) Manchester: Engineering works near to Cornbrook on Thursday (15 March) saw services end from 2000 between Eccles and Piccadilly Gardens and Old Trafford and Piccadilly Gardens. Trams ran from Bury to Piccadilly Station and Altrincham to Piccadilly Station (and vice versa!) A replacement bus was used to serve all stations between Eccles and Piccadilly Gardens (including those stops from Old Trafford). All services were running as normal from the start of service on Friday (16 March). (18/3/07 - Gordon Ferguson & Manchester Metrolink) Nottingham: NET have launched a new MediLink bus service from Wilkinson Street to the Queens Medical Centre and City Hospital. The service runs between Queen’s Drive Park and Ride, the QMC campus, Crown Island, Nuthall Road, Wilkinson Street and around the City Hospital Campus. It runs from 8am to 6pm Monday-Friday (excluding Bank Holidays). Full details can be found at the link to the right. (18/3/07 - NET) Nottingham: Police are stepping up patrols in the Bulwell area after several reports of stones being thrown at trams. Youngsters are reported to have broken windows and caused annoyance to local residents. Pc Derek Pickering said: “If a stone gets thrown through a window, if it's the driver's window the consequences don't bear thinking about. They're putting wood and big branches on the line and cramming them into the points." (18/3/07 - BBC News Online) Sheffield: The Sheffield Bus Museum (which includes tram Sheffield 460) is moving from its home of the last 15 years in Tinsley to Rotherham. This follows an increase in funding which means they can increase their activities. Many vehicles have already been moved with the remainder following over the next few weeks, and when the move is complete the Museum (to be renamed the South Yorkshire Bus Museum) will be open to visitors every weekend. (18/3/07 - Sheffield Today) ------------------------------------------------- Croydon: A man has appeared at Croydon Magistrates Court in connection with a serious unprovoked attack on a 96 year old man on a tram in December last year. Stephen Gordan, aged 43, denied the charge of grievous bodily harm which left the pensioner blind in one eye. Mr Gordon was given unconditional bail and is now due to appear at Croydon Crown Court on 18 April. (11/3/07 - Croydon Guardian) DLR: This weekend buses were replacing services between Stratford and Bow Church because of the construction of the new station at Stratford. The bus was serving Stratford, Pudding Mill Lane and Bow Church at a 10 minute frequency all weekend. (11/3/07 - DLR) Nottingham: NET have revealed that despite adverse weather in the November-January period more than 98% of its services ran to time. During this period problems were experienced with dense fog and high winds bringing a tree onto the overhead line in January. They have also revealed that more than 26,000 journeys a day are currently being taken on the Hucknall line. (11/3/07 - This is Nottingham) ------------------------------------------------- Correction from last weeks update Manchester: Last week we reported that a man was taken to hospital after he was hit by a tram which derailed in Manchester city centre. In fact the tram did not derail and was taken to depot within 15 minutes of the incident. Thanks to all those you pointed out this which was taken from the BBC News website in good faith. (4/3/07 Birmingham: Services on Friday (2 March) from around lunchtime were disrupted because of a points failure at Birmingham Snow Hill. All trams terminated at St Paul’s with passengers advised to use Central Trains services as far as Jewellery Quarter before changing back to the Metro there. (4/3/07 - Midland Metro) |
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Former Thwaites Bitter liveried Blackpool Balloon 726 has now been moved back into the main depot from the Paint Shop sporting this all over yellow base coat. No advertising contract has yet been found for this tram but it is hoped that one will be found and the tram won't have to appear all year like this. The tram was caught on camera in the front of the depot on 21 March 2007.
Photo: Alan Robson |
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IT’S ALSTOM OR CAF TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH Saturday 24 March 2007 The race to supply the trams for the proposed Edinburgh system is down to two with Alstom and CAF the final two firms in the running. This is now the final stage of the procurement process and sees Bombardier and Siemens dropping out of the race to provide the first new trams in Scotland for over 50 years. Both the firms will now proceed to the final evaluation stage which will allow them to demonstrate further their ability to deliver value for money. Alstom have built trams now operating in cities such as Dublin and Paris and CAF have been involved in the trams now running in Bilbao as well as main line trains for the Heathrow Express in England. Willie Gallagher, Chairman of tie, said: “This has been a world class competition in which the world’s best tram manufacturers have risen to the task. We have set very high standards in our specification as Edinburgh requires, and expects, the best. Our trams will be the most sophisticated and modern in the UK, we’re looking for a timeless and attractive appearance that will complement the streets the trams will be travelling on. In addition, we require that our tram passengers are given a high quality travelling experience and have specified a capacity of at least 230 passengers per tram, excellent ride quality, low noise, smooth acceleration and braking, ample storage facilities for luggage and state of the art security features and information systems. Of course, the trams will also be at the cutting edge in terms of facilities for those passengers requiring special assistance. Edinburgh’s vision of a world class tram system is becoming a reality.” On announcing the final shortlist Edinburgh City Council leader Cllr Ewan Aitken commented: “I am delighted to announce today that the competition to supply Edinburgh with a modern tram system has entered its final stage with two companies now vying to manufacture Edinburgh's trams - Alstom, whose trams operate in cities including Dublin and Paris and CAF who has provided trams for Bilbao and the trains for the Heathrow Express. They will now go head to head to provide the trams that will be best for Edinburgh." What the firms offer CAF On show at the launch ceremony was a unique information tool comprising a map of the whole Supertram network, fares, timetables and a city centre map of the vicinity featuring attractions and guidance on walking distances. This same information will be repeated at all city centre stops although other tramstops further out will only receive details of local timetables, fares and routes.
The Head of Transport Integration at the South Yorkshire PTE, David Young, said: “The second phase of ‘Connect Sheffield’ focuses on the key role that tram services now play in Sheffield. The high quality, easy to follow information tells passengers everything they need to know about using public transport in Sheffield and will benefit pedestrians, bus, tram and train passengers and car drivers, not only in the city centre but all over the network. In addition, by presenting key messages at an appropriate height, the new-style information points have all been designed to be particularly user-friendly to disabled travellers.”
Julia Shaw, the Commercial Manager of Stagecoach Supertram, added: “We are delighted to be associated with ‘Connect Sheffield’, an exclusive project which has already proved its value by providing legible, accurate, frequent and consistent travel information. Supertram is now fully accepted as an essential part of the daily life of Sheffield, and extending the scope of this project should open up the possibilities of really integrated transport to many more people.”
Mr Livingstone revealed this information whilst being questioned by Andrew Pelling, the London Assembly member for Croydon. He revealed that the court costs for Transport for London are around £872,000 but added that some of this money should be recovered from TCL.
The two parties (TfL and TCL) are currently awaiting the final decision on their latest court case over the level of compensation due to TCL over the concessionary fare issue. This case will see TCL having to pay the costs although it is not known yet how much this will be.
Mr Pelling commented: “In one way or another this is public money which is being used to fight these cases. This sum would have gone a long way towards meeting the £3million it will cost to pay for the extra tram needed by TCL to improve services. I think the money would have been better spent on doing that rather than on lawyers."
Tram services should resume southbound from Manchester Square on Good Friday 6 April after the extensive trackwork. Throughout the weekend a 20 minute Starr Gate-Fleetwood and a 20 minute Pleasure Beach-Cleveleys service will run (meaning a 10 minute service between Pleasure Beach and Cleveleys). Extra trams may also run if necessary.
Meanwhile the summer service has been effectively split into three distinct periods. As an aside the Line 1 bus will only go as far as Little Bispham from 22 May (Norbreck Castle before that date) but from 9 July-2 September will be every 10 minutes (every 15 minutes outside of these dates).
Andrew Richards from the groups said: “It is absurd that even on a fairly empty tram on a Sunday Supertram don't see fit to increase their revenue and green credentials by allowing bikes of the non-cardboard variety to travel."
They claim that their parcels fitted easily in the fold-down seating area opposite the wheelchair spaces proving that wheelchairs, buggies and bikes can easily co-exist.
However, Julia Shaw, Commercial Manager from Supertram disagreed saying: “Bikes would be dirty, greasy and can have sharp points. We were also concerned about people tripping over them and catching themselves in their chains or wheels. We did have a one-day trial last year and had few adverse comments from passengers or staff, but it was very tightly controlled and at busy times we feel it could cause conflict. At the moment it is difficult to see how to move forward."
* Problems have been identified with the power equipment of London Transport 1622 with series notch 2 causing wheel spin and controller contact burning together with erratic electric brake performance. The Museum want to change the electric brake system from bus field to crossed field to provide a more responsive electric braking system and approval is now being sorted from the HMRI to commit this change.
* A broken spring plank has been discovered on Sheffield 510 whilst it was being commissioned for service. Until this is repaired the tram has been withdrawn from service.
* Finally, work on Liverpool 869, Southampton 45 and Blackpool Standard 40 has been delayed because of the failure of the body lifting jacks in the workshop. As a result 869 is still awaiting the refitting of its body to its bogies.
Don’t forget that the Tramway Museum Society needs you! Become a member to receive a quarterly magazine, monthly newsletter, free entry to the Museum and the chance to volunteer and help tram restoration continue in the UK. More details here.
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More original tram tracks remaining in situ are seen here at the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in Birmingham. This was a former tram depot and now houses a collection of mainly buses and trolleybuses although also has unrestored tram bodies displayed. The photo was taken on 11 March 2007.
Photo: Ian Banks |
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FUNDING FROM SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE FOR EDINBURGH Sunday 18 March 2007 The Scottish Executive have given approval for work to commence on preparing Edinburgh for Line One of the proposed tram system with the release of £60 million of funding – this will allow the Multi Utilities Diversion Framework Agreement (MUDFA) to commence as soon as 2 April. The MUDFA work will see utility pipes and cables to be diverted and protected in preparation for phase 1a of the tram system, and as revealed earlier this month this work should commence at the start of the April. The first work will take place in Tower Place starting on 2 April, in a move that is considered by The Scotsman to be “a trial for similar work along the route.” This work is expected to last up to three weeks before the main utilities diversion work starts in June. Further preparatory work is to also to be carried out near to the Gogard Roundabout – the site of the planned tram depot. The work will be undertaken by Alfred McAlpine Infrastructure Services, who were awarded the single utility diversion contract back in 2006. On announcing the release of the £60 million, Transport Minister Tavish Scott commented: “A sustainable, integrated and effective transport network lies at the heart of our economic development. Trams will give passengers a safe, environmental travel choice, a choice which will see reduced congestion and reduced emissions. The utilities agreement that has been put in place is the right approach. Allowing a single contractor to do all the work will minimise disruption in the Capital, save money and ensure the delivery of the project. That is welcome news for Edinburgh." With the draft business case now approved in principle tie are working on preparing the final business case for the scheme, which will include costs of items which have not yet been confirmed, such as the trams themselves and installation of the overhead. It is expected this will be completed by the end of the summer with the release of the remaining £400 million funding released from the Executive in September. Margaret Smith, Edinburgh West Liberal Democrat MSP, welcomed the news: “This is good news. The minister has indicated he is still in favour of the project but is not prepared to write a blank cheque. I don't think TIE has fully made their case yet and there are question marks over the viability of 1b in terms of patronage. I wouldn't be surprised if they are not told to prove they can run the first part of the line before 1b is approved. This is a step forward but the minister is right in terms of insisting this is properly project-managed." Ron Hewitt, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, added: “The talkings over. It's time to get on track. Edinburgh and Scotland's economy will benefit from this essential building block in a transport system fit for the 21st century. This scheme will deliver for Edinburgh and connect our waterfront with its city centre and airport. However, citizens and businesses are going to have to be patient during the inconvenience of the construction process. The reward will be a clean fast efficient passenger service appropriate for our Capital city and its development ambitions." However, you didn’t think an article on Trams for Edinburgh would be complete without comment from SNP MSP Kenny MacAskill did you? Of course not! He commented: “This is a major project that should be decided after May 3. They have wasted enough money to date without now starting on digging up the roads, causing huge disruption to the life of the city." * Meanwhile, the Executive have also confirmed that the over 60s and disabled would get free travel on the tram system. A spokeswoman said: “To achieve its objectives and to be financially viable, concessionary travel would need to be available on the tram. It is therefore our intention to amend the national concessionary fares scheme to include Edinburgh tram."
Spokesman for the Ealing Branch of Friends of the Earth, Nic Ferriday, said: “We have got used to the anti-tram lobby coming up with arguments ranging from dubious through spurious to downright bizarre. But seeing Ealing Council proposing to spend £775,000 of our money conjuring up such arguments for the benefit of a public inquiry takes tram opposition to a new level of absurdity.”
However, Cllr Jason Stacey, leader of the Council, hit back: “We are investing the money to fight against the West London Tram because that is what the people of Ealing want us to do. We are not against more public transport. We want to see more bus lanes where appropriate and we are fully in favour of the plans for Crossrail.”
Mr Ferriday added: “"We have a council that says it is concerned about council tax and is prepared to cut services. Yet it is prepared to spend getting on for £1million opposing better public transport and opposing an investment of £648million which Ealing Council does not even have to pay for. The only real downside of the tram is that it will annoy car drivers who don't want to see trams, or buses, getting in the way of their cars. Sadly, it appears that Ealing Council is more interested in pandering to car drivers, mainly in central Ealing, than it is in better public transport, better health or a better environment."
Cllr Collins has used the Conservative Spring Conference (being held at the Royal Centre in the City Centre) to formally write to Mr Cameron asking him to back the tram. He has highlighted Mr Cameron’s support for light rail networks in the past.
The letter states: “These extensions will provide not only £400m of investment in the city they will improve business opportunities and also reduce traffic congestion and emissions. The problem is that the Conservative groups on both the city and county councils have pledged to withdraw the plans for the tram extensions should they ever take control of either authority. This is causing uncertainty and could potentially put the scheme at risk."
The Conservative Councillors have opposed the tram on grounds of cost, value for money and the burden they believe it would place on the tax payer, and say that they have made Mr Cameron aware of these issues – although he is apparently “unaware of the financial arrangements” to do with the extensions.
The Labour group have been leafleting outside the venue urging delegates to “Save the Tram” and have also hired an advertising lorry with the message: “Help Save the next lines of the Nottingham Tram from your own local Tories".
There has also been the launch of a petition, with people who support the tram extensions being urged to sign – to show there is plenty of support from the Nottingham public.
Both the Labour and Liberal Democrat Councillors backed the plans however only one of the Conservative’s did so – leading to accusations from Labour that they were not following their leader’s national stance. Cllr Michael Cowan, Conservative leader, claimed: “Our objection is on cost, value for money and the burden on local people”, he also added that Line One had only seen people transfer from the bus and not leave their cars at home.
At the public council meeting Councillors eventually (over 6 hours of other items were on the agenda beforehand) heard that there have been changes to the alignment of the routes since councillors approved in principle back in 2004. These include a new bridge over the city’s main railway line at Lenton (to reduce the impact on the King Meadow nature reserve) and more room would be allowed between a proposed park and ride site at Clifton and the A453 to accommodate future road widening).
Cllr Brian Grocock, transport spokesman, said: “Ultimately local disruption has to be balanced against long term benefits. Everyone will have the opportunity to comment on the proposals. We expect many people to contribute to the public inquiry."
Some people who will be affected by the construction of the lines remain concerned about the impact. One of these, Lesley Ismay from Clifton, said: "Along with many other people we are very concerned. We are losing designated recreational space, it affects wildlife and there are human costs because it is affecting four older peoples' homes as well as individual houses."
Cllr John Taylor, who had been involved with the development of the tram, said: "In every case we will continue to work with shop keepers and homeowners to mitigate, as much as possible, all the problems."
The scheme will now move forward towards a Public Inquiry - likely to be held by the end of this year.
MP for Wimbledon, Stephen Hammond, commented: “From a Merton point of view it's a very important issue. A lot of people end their journeys in Wimbledon and in Mitcham Junction so we are likely to see overcrowding."
It is claimed that the number of children travelling on the service at these times is adding to the problem, this since the introduction of free travel from the Mayor of London’s office.
In reply Roger Harding, General Manager of Tramtrack Croydon, said: “The new timetable did an enormous amount to relieve overcrowding. Before then up to 100 of our trams, out of 15,000, were more than two-thirds full. Now that has dropped to between 20 and 30. In the last six months we've carried three million passengers but only received six or seven complaints about overcrowding. We are constantly working to improve conditions for passengers."
This has not appeased passengers however, who say that there is no way a driver can control the number of people on board each tram.
NET have become the latest transport operator to sign up with Paypoint which Blackpool Transport and Manchester Metrolink also both selling tickets through the system.
Colin Lea, NET Commercial Manager, said: “This is an exciting change to ticketing, which complements our on-tram collections through conductors. There are real discounts to be had for our loyal passengers in switching, as well as clear convenience benefits too - if you’re at the local shops getting your milk and bread, why not buy a tram ticket too!”
Tickets that will be available from the 134 outlets in the area, including 43 of them close to tramstops, are: There are several advantages for passengers to buy their tickets this way including the fact that the weekly tickets will be cheaper this way than if bought on the trams (for example a adult weekly will cost only £9 from Paypoint outlets rather than £10). In addition the current ticketing system does not cater for tram only users who wish to travel on a ticket longer in validity than a week.
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The Llandudno & Colwyn Bay Tramway Society have now acquired a suitable air-braked trailer to transport the body of7 during the year of the tram - 2007. Here we see the body now attached on the trailer.
Photo: John Bird, Webmaster of the Society |
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APRIL START LIKELY FOR EDINBURGH TRAM WORKS Sunday 4 March 2007 Edinburgh City Council have revealed that as long as the Scottish Executive give the go-ahead for trams to return to the city’s streets, work on the roads should begin in April – only a month away. This week the Council have given the statutory 28 days notice that work could start, with work expected to commence in the Leith area on or around 2 April. The first phase of work will be to divert utility pipes and cables before the construction of the actual tram lines takes place. The first works will take place in Tower Street, Leith before moving along Leith Walk to the city centre, with 18 months set aside for these works. At any one time there could be seven different roadwork sites in order to minimise disruption. Each of these will be up to 200 metres in length. The exact date of commencement of work will not be revealed until approval is given by the Scottish Executive. It is reported by The Scotsman that this could now take place next week. A second wave of works are also expected to commence in December, concentrating on the construction of the tram lines, and these would continue until around 2010. Cllr Ricky Henderson, Executive Member for Transport of the City Council, said: “This is a preparatory step. A date for work starting will be set, if appropriate, following an announcement from the minister. Whilst we are waiting for that approval we want to start putting steps in place for getting work started. Having one order gives us a simplified process and means we can carry out the necessary works to prepare for tramline construction in the most effective way.” He continued: “The maximum number of sites at any one time will be seven and each one will be no more than 200 metres in length. This allows us to minimise disruption and manage the sites effectively. Working with TIE we have a comprehensive communications programme to make sure local residents, businesses and people travelling to areas are aware of where and when any work is going to take place." A spokeswoman from tie added: “The timing of this statutory announcement will allow us to begin work on delivering Edinburgh's tram network as soon as possible. However, this would rely entirely on a positive ministerial decision, and does not mark a firm commitment to starting work."
Railcoach 678 now joins the ranks of trams out of service, with Brush 623 having been reinstated to service in its place. Standard 147 is welcomed back to the fold after missing out of most of 2006 because of the dodgy track around Manchester Square, whilst perhaps surprisingly Box 40 is on the active fleet for the whole period from Easter to the end of October – this tram not having seen much use over the last few years.
The full fleet details now follow:
From Easter (32 trams active): From July (40 cars active – underlined trams are those added since period 1): From October (48 cars active – underlined trams are those added since period 2): Reserve Fleet (in case of increased demand/failures) All other trams are on the withdrawn list. Full details of the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway fleet can be found on this site here.
He said: “The idea would be for the furthest southern stop to be at Purley. You will have to give me several more terms but I can certainly see the Cross River Tram coming up here and joining up with Croydon Tramlink."
These comments from Mr Livingstone come just a week after the Liberal Democrats gave their own backing at the London Branch’s Regional Conference. Chris Nicolson, who will fight the Streatham seat at the next election, said: “The transport spine of the area is a road, the A23. For both transport and environmental reasons we want to make the tram the transport spine, running up from Brixton to Streatham and connecting to the Croydon Tramlink. This will also help in our plans to revitalise Streatham High Road. Feasibility studies funded by Lambeth council, when run by the Liberal Democrats, show that this plan is sensible and feasible.”
Fergus Ewing, SNP transport spokesman, said: “With such a huge price tag on this project and with so much doubt in the minds of many people I think it is only fair MSPs get a chance to ask questions about the thinking behind the decision. When you think the total cost of this project will dwarf that of the Scottish Parliament then I think it deserves that extra scrutiny."
It is widely expected that the Scottish Executive will be making a final decision on the business case in a matter of days.
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