Councillors today approved the Outline Business Case for extending the trams.
In doing so, they triggered a year-long ‘fact-finding’ Stage 2, during which tender prices will be gathered by which to check affordability, current tram use will be further assessed, and – it is hoped – some lessons from Lord Hardie’s Tram Inquiry will be learned.
A final decision on whether or not to proceed with the scheme will be taken next autumn.
A deputation from Leith Central Community Council again laid out the local impacts of extending the tramway (see Breaking news 4.9.17). Vice Chair Harald Tobermann made clear the degree and extent of likely disruption, and specified 10 compensatory measures for those Leith residents and businesses affected.
Transport & Environment Convener Cllr Leslie Mcinnes later thanked Tobermann for the ‘clarity and eloquence’ of the presentation.
‘For the people of Leith, having a direct tram link to the city centre and other key employment and travel hubs would be hugely beneficial,’ she remarked.
‘That said, we are acutely aware of how challenging the construction period would be, which is why we’re developing a compensation scheme to help those who would be most affected.
‘We'll take the time while the tender process is ongoing to build and maintain useful two-way relationships with local residents and businesses so we can understand and ideally pre-empt issues which might arise.’
Local politicians speak out
Cllr Marion Donaldson recalled the excitement and pride of first seeing a tram glide down Princes Street. She hopes for further such warm feelings along Leith Walk.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: ‘Having pored over the Outline Business Case in microscopic detail these past few weeks, including obtaining independent advice on it, I’m confident our project team – which retains key personnel from the team who got the first phase back on track – is now well placed to move on to the next stage and start the procurement process for a contractor.
‘We will only make our final decision next autumn once the tendering process has completed and once we’ve consulted an independent assessor on the viability of the proposed construction contracts. We’ll also of course consider any lessons learned from Lord Hardie’s ongoing tram inquiry as we move forward.’
Cllr Joanna Mowat was an unapologetic Cassandra. She warned that agreeing to Stage 2 might not seem like a major step, but it would set in motion an ‘inexorable process’ after which stopping would be impossible because of the apparent waste of time, effort and money in doing so.
Remembering the last Tram Fiasco, she said ‘We can never do that to this city again.’
She urged councillors to delay Stage 2 for another year so that the full extent of Lord Hardie’s findings would be available. Not to do so would be an act of ‘monumental arrogance’ and ‘hubristic’ folly.
That year’s delay could usefully be spent, she said, in other congestion-relieving measures, such as the introduction of city-centre parking permits.
Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan thought Edinburgh should be more self-confident. She said that, contrary to some observers’ misgivings, councillors and officials did indeed have the skill-set to plan this project and scrutinise it effectively.
In the end, there were 18 votes (all of them Conservative) against going ahead, and 45 in favour.
For a summary of the Outline Business case, see Breaking news (29.8.17).
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