TRAMS REPORT FAILS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

TRAMS REPORT FAILS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS

MCLETCHIE AND DAWE EXPOSE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING

Lothians MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville who has campaigned for two years for the real cost and timescale for Edinburgh’s tram project to be revealed in order to ensure funding for city services is not affected today raised serious concerns over suggestions for future funding of the project and the continued lack of clarity over it's timetable and cost.

With reports that the cost will not be known until 2010 Ms Somerville accused TIE of “holding the city to ransom”. She also condemned ill thought out comments from David McLetchie and Jenny Dawe.

Ms Somerville commented;

“TIE has finally confirmed what the whole city has known for a long time – this project is running late and over budget.

“Edinburgh’s tram company has waited until the tracks were on the street before laying their cards on the table. Now with the news that costs won’t be finalised until 2010 at the earliest they are leaving it too late for anyone to call this project off.

“TIE have admitted the problems but not given us any solutions. Edinburgh’s taxpayers still have no idea how much of a tram line we’re going to get or how much it will cost, yet TIE are holding the city to ransom.

“This report talks about diverting valuable funds away from revenue and borrowing that means schools, housing and essential services. TIE clearly have no idea how to fund the overspend on this project.

“Edinburgh Council must be clear that taking funding from city services or investment in housing and schools is simply not acceptable.

“Taking contractors to dispute resolution is a welcome sign that the new tram bosses are determined to keep the costs down but there is a long way to go.

“What is essential is that we now get a clear funding plan, a clear timescale and an absolute guarantee that council revenues, council borrowing and Edinburgh’s excellent bus service will not be sacrificed to fund this project.”

Responding to outrageous comments from David McLetchie admitting that he voted for the project only to take £500 million of investment away from the SNP Scottish Government and Jenny Dawe’s accusation that Leith Walk businesses would have gone bust as a result of recession – regardless of the trams Ms Somerville added;

“The Tories crocodile tears are outrageous. David McLetchie's votes put this project on our city’s streets – when the Tories could have joined with the SNP, stopped the project and prevented the chaos. This petty politics has led to a project the people of Edinburgh could now be paying for years to come.”

“As for Jenny Dawe’s comments to say that traders on Leith Walk were going to be badly affected by the recession so it doesn't matter that the tram project has driven them out of business is a disgrace. I am sure Ms Dawe will want to reconsider her remarks.