The so-called Granton spur of the Trams for Edinburgh project – or line 1b – is, according to “inside” sources talking to the Edinburgh Evening News, going to be axed by council officials in the coming weeks because of a lack of funding for it. The line was last estimated at £87 million and these sources say the money is nowhere near being found and there are fears that the extra cash will be needed for line 1 as costs are expected to escalate.
The official word from the City Council says that no final decision has been made but the Edinburgh Evening News report that just £3 million has been raised from developers contributions (instead of the hoped for £25 million) and of this just £300,000 is from developers in connection with line 1b. It is reported that a final decision of the line will be take at the start of December.
The source said: “Nothing that happens in two weeks will change the financial situation. They were never going to have the money. The chickens have come home to roost and now line 1b will not be going ahead."
Cllr Jenny Dawe, leader of Edinburgh City Council, denied these claims: “There is no point in speculating on rumour or innuendo. No decision regarding 1b requires to be taken until well into 2009. A working group is currently exploring the capital costs and funding options for delivering line 1b. The tram project continues to progress as planned. Our ambition remains to have a fully integrated transport system operational in Edinburgh in 2011."
Source: The Scotsman