Although we\u2019ve recently had the excellent news that testing has started on the Trams to Newhaven extension it shouldn\u2019t be forgotten that the Edinburgh Trams Inquiry which was convened to look into what went wrong with the original construction project is still ongoing. Originally announced in June 2014 by the then First Minister, Alex Salmond, we still have no sign of just when Lord Hardie may reveal his findings and now STV News have reported that the City of Edinburgh Council are to give another \u00a3100,000 towards it.<\/p>\n
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The original idea of the Inquiry was to find out just why the project went over budget, was severely delayed and didn\u2019t deliver half of what was planned. This has involved the Inquiry team reviewing countless documents and holding hearings with Lord Hardie now looking at all of this before he can report. It had been hoped that it would enable lessons to be learnt for any future extensions but considering a future extension is almost finished its kind of missed the boat on that one \u2013 although, obviously, it may help for any further extensions.<\/p>\n
Probably knowing how much of a political football the Inquiry has become (with many complaints of how long its taken and also how much its cost) the Council plan to discuss the awarding of extra money in a private full Council meeting.<\/p>\n
Its reported that the reason for the extra cash being needed is to pay for \u201clegal firm fees, ICT system storage and search fees and counsel fees\u201d. This includes covering ongoing court action by the Council against Transport Initiatives Edinburgh and the former project legal advisors, DLA Piper.<\/p>\n
Against all this the question remains \u2013 what comes first a public service to Newhaven or the results on the Inquiry?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Although we\u2019ve recently had the excellent news that testing has started on the Trams to Newhaven extension it shouldn\u2019t be forgotten that the Edinburgh Trams Inquiry which was convened to look into what went wrong with the original construction project … Continue reading