Update:  March 2006

Parliamentary Committee approve Trams

After two years' consideration, and listening to many objections, Members of the Scottish Parliament's Edinburgh Trams (Line One) Committee have now approved the route proposed  by Edinburgh Council.

The line will use the Roseburn corridor, rather than pass directly past the Western General Hospital.  A shuttle bus service will be provided to from the tram route to the hospital.

The Parliamentary Committee expressed disappointment that funding problems had resulted in shelving part of the proposed route and said that it was "essential" for the section from Haymarket to Granton (coloured yellow on the map below) to be built as soon as possible.

The committee ruled that construction work should not take place on Saturday afternoons in order to lessen disruption to shoppers and traders.  The trams are now scheduled to be operational by July 2010, but might the shorter hours for construction result in further delays?

Please click on the map below to enlarge it.

All MSPs will vote on the Bills for the two tram lines later in March 2006.  They will be recommended by their Parliamentary Committees to vote in favour of the routes proposed by Edinburgh Council, even though it will not be possible to  build these routes in their entirety, initially.

Edinburgh Evening News  March 1, 2006,  p.2

Update:  March 2006

Parliamentary Vote

The Scottish Parliament debated Tramline 2, the line to Edinburgh Airport, on March 22.. 

David Letchie, former Tory Leader  and Kenny MacAskill, Scottish National MSP questioned the business case for the line, but Sarah Boyack, Central Edinburgh MSP and former Transport Minister spoke out strongly in favour of the line.

MSPs voted 88 to 20 in favour of the Bill for the tramline to go ahead.

They are due to debate Tramline 1 next week, on March 29, 2006.

Edinburgh Evening News  March 23 2006,  p.8

Update:  March 2006

Funding and Delay

After studying a detailed audit of all the Scottish Executive's major transport commitments, Tavish Scott, Transport Minister in the Scottish Parliament has confirmed the parliament's support for these projects.

He confirmed that the Scottish Parliament had agreed that funding for the trams will be increased to take account of inflation, so increasing the Scottish Executive's contribution from £375m to £450-500m for the tram line from Edinburgh Airport to Ocean Terminal. (I thought the funding would have been for the line from Edinburgh Airport to Newhaven.)

However, he now estimates that the new tram system will not be operational until early 2011.  The previous estimate was July 2010.

Other Edinburgh Transport Proposals

Tavish Scott also gave these estimates for other transport proposals:

-   Rail Link to Edinburgh Airport  -  now expected to open in 2011
(1 year later than expected).

-   Waverley Line to the Borders  -  now expected to re-open in 2011
 (3 years later than expected).

-   Waverley Station improvements, phase 1:  expected 2007 (on time).

Edinburgh Evening News  March 16, 2006,  p.11

Update:  March 2006

Initial Spending

TIE say that by Autumn 2006 between £50m and £60m will have been spent on the Tramline proposals, including £23.5m on consultant fees.

Despite the Scottish Parliament having given their approval, concern over costs continues to be expressed in the columns of the Edinburgh Evening News.  Yellow ribbons have been tied to trees in the Roseburn Corridor as a mark of protest.

Timetable

The timetable, now, at March 2006 is:

Edinburgh Evening News  March 30, 2006,  pp.6-7

Update:  May 2006

Trams Boss leaves

It was announced on May 9 that Ian Kendall, Head of the Edinburgh Trams project, has had his contract terminated amid fears that there may be further delays in the scheme and that TIE may miss the Autumn 2006 deadline for presenting a business case to the Ministers of the Scottish Parliament.

Ian Kendall is an Australian who has managed previous team bids including Manchester, Leeds and the London borough of Croydon.  He was never formerly employed by TIE but had a contract with TIE in the name of his own management company.

TIE Chief Executive, Michael Howell has now taken temporary control of the project.  He claims that the project is still on schedule to meet the 2010 deadline for operation.

Edinburgh Evening News  May, 2006

Ian Kendall has been replaced by Andie Harper, a former director of London Underground who saw the completion of the London Underground's Jubilee Line.

However, Ian Kendall is also being retained by TIE as a private consultant for at least the next 3 to 6 months.

Edinburgh Evening News  May 25, 2006:  p.9

Edinburgh Evening News  June 14, 2006,  pp.1-2

Update:  June 2006

Chairman leaves

A second high profile departure from TIE has been announced.

Michael Howard, Chief Executive of TIE is to leave in July 2006 and to move to London to become Chairman of the City & Guilds of London Institute.

Willie Gallagher, who was appointed TIE Chairman in early June 06, is to take on most of Michael Howard's duties.

The TIE project has continued to have problems, missed deadlines and technical design problems, but Michael Howell claims: "Things are in good shape."

Edinburgh Evening News  June 14, 2006,  pp.1-2

Two further departures from TIE have been announced.  Project Director, Alex Macauley, is expected to leave and Assistant Project Director, Willie Fraser has resigned for personal reasons.

However, Edinburgh Council leader, Donald Anderson, remained optimistic saying: "I am very confident TIE and the council are in a much better position to deliver the project than ever before."

Edinburgh Evening News  June 16, 2006,  p.6

New Chairman's Comments

Shortly after taking up his appointment as TIE Chairman, Willie Gallagher spoke to the Edinburgh Evening News:

Here are some extracts from Willie Gallagher comments to the News:

- TIMESCALE:  "We will make that deadline (June 2010).  There's a lot of key events to hit in the next few months"

- ROUTE CUTBACKS:  "What we have now is a sensible route, the characteristics of which support the wider rail transport network.  It operates where you have high volumes of people wanting to move to parts of the city to work or visit."

-  POSSIBLE FURTHER ROUTE CUTS:  "At this point we are going with the route that everyone is aware of.  If there are parts of the system where the costs don't recognise the benefits, then that would have to be looked at.

Truthfully, I don't see the Airport to Newbridge section happening.  We are gung ho about all the rest and are pushing hard."

Will we ever build a Newbridge link or a link between Granton and Leith?  I think, no because if we had the money to do it, then there are other bits - such as the Western General Hospital link that we would do first."

Edinburgh Evening News  June 23, 2006:  pp18-19

Update:  September 2006

Construction Delays

Work to remove gas pipes and water mains along the routes of the trams was expected to begin in January 2006 but has now been put back until at least March or April 2007, due to delays in drawing up contracts.

There is concern that the work may be delayed until after the Local Council Elections in May 2007.  Digging up roads would be likely to result in disruption and congestion, which would be unpopular with voters.

TIE confirmed that the first trams are now expected to carry passengers in 2011, with the first trams being tested from early 2010 onwards.

Edinburgh Evening News: Sep 29, 2006, p5  AND  Herald & Post, October 5, 2006,  p9

Update:  September 2006

Advertising Campaign

TIE has launched a £100,000 advertising campaign to "win the hearts and minds" of the Edinburgh public.  There will be advertising in newspapers, on the radio and on buses and bus shelters with the message:

"It's Time For Trams."

Edinburgh Evening News: Sep 29, 2006, p5

Update:  November 2006

Business Case

Edinburgh Transport Forum is to host a public meeting on trams on November 29, 2006.

A business case is being developed for the trams, to be voted on by the City of Edinburgh Council on December 22, 2006, then submitted to the Scottish Parliament for approval of  funding.

By Christmas 2006, it is expected that £62m will already have been spent on the proposals for Tram Lines One and Two.

The design detail for the project will not become available until January 2007 at the earliest.

Edinburgh Evening News  November 28, 2006,  p12

Update:  November 2006

Project Director leaves

After only six months in his position as Project Director, Andie Harper, formerly of London Underground, has decided not to renew his contract with TIE, for personal reasons - difficulty in commuting between Warrington and Edinburgh

He will be the 4th senior person to have left the project this year.

-  May 9,  2006:   Ian Kendall, Project chief.

-  Jun, 2006:        Michael Howell, Chief Executive.

-  Dec 22, 2006:  Andie Harper, Project chief.

Edinburgh Evening News  November 29, 2006,  p5

Update:  December 2006

Tram Line 3  -  Guided Busway

Tram Line 3, from the City Centre to Newcraighall, via Cameron Toll and the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary at Little France was shelved indefinitely when the Council's proposals for congestion charges were defeated in the referendum of April 2005.

However, the Council has now announced a feasibility study into a guided busway along the land already safeguarded for Tramline 3 between Cameron Toll and the ERI.  This could be the first step towards the council long-term wish to create Tram Line 3.

The feasibility study is not likely to be completed before 2008.

Edinburgh Evening News  November 29, 2006,  p5

Update:  December 2006

Charities support Tram Lines

Eleven  charities and conservation organisations have now come out in support of trams for Edinburgh, and are encouraging Edinburgh Councillors to vote in favour of the proposals on December 21, 2006

They favour trams on the grounds that they will be less polluting and better for the environment than buses.

The organisations concerned are:

-  Capability Scotland

-  The Cockburn Association

-  Friends of the Earth Scotland

-  National Trust for Scotland

-  RSPB, Scotland

-  Scottish Association for Public Transport

-  Scottish Environment LINK

-  Stop Climate Chaos

-  TRANSform Scotland

-  Voluntary Health Scotland

-  WWF Scotland

Edinburgh Evening News  December 16, 2006,  p2

Update:  December 2006

Compensation to Shops

Following lengthy negotiations between TIE and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, it has been announced that shops that see their profits fall as a result of disruption caused by preparations for Edinburgh's trams, will be given cuts of up to 80% in their business rates.

Edinburgh Evening News  December 20, 2006,  p19.

Update:  December 2006

Businesses support Tram Lines

Seventeen organisations including some of Scotland's largest businesses have signed a letter to be sent to all councillors, urging them to back the proposals for new tram lines at their meeting on December 21, 2006.

The organisations include:

-  Standard Life

-  Scottish Widows

-  Marks & Spencer

-  Oracle

-  Edinburgh Airport

-  Forth Ports Authority

-  Edinburgh International Conference Centre

-  Edinburgh University

-  Heriot Watt University

-  Telford College

It is expected that:

-  Tram Line 1, from Leith to Edinburgh Airport will open in December 2020

-  Tram Line 2 to Edinburgh Waterfront will open one year later.

Edinburgh Evening News  December 19, 2006,  p17

Update:  December 2006

Council Votes 'Yes'

Edinburgh Councillors at their Meeting on December 21 overwhelmingly  supported the  business case to  be submitted to the Scottish Parliament in favour of re-introducing trams to Edinburgh.

Only one councillor, Deputy Lord Provost Steve Cardownie (Nationalist) voted against the proposals.  Kate Mackenzie (Conservative) abstained.

Edinburgh Evening News  December 22, 2006,  p5

Update:  January 2007

New Appointment

Matthew Crosse has been appointed to take charge of the Edinburgh trams project, replacing Andrew Harper who left in 2006.

Matthew Cross is founder of independent management consultancy 'Strategic Lines' based in Derbyshire, and has worked on several tram schemes in the UK including Nottingham, Croydon and Midland Metro.

Edinburgh Evening News  January 16, 2007:  p.9

Update:  March 2007

Draft Business Case Approved

The Scottish Executive has its given its approval in principle to the draft business plan for Edinburgh's trams.  A final business case will be assessed in the autumn

It has also been confirmed that those over age 60 and the disabled will be able to travel free on the trams.

Work to Begin

Work will to begin on diverting the water, gas and electricity pipes away from the proposed tram route.  The first street to be dug up, as a trial site, will be Tower Place, Leith, beginning on April 2, 2007.  Work on this section of the line will stop over the Easter holidays and should be completed by mid-May 2007.

City Leader, Ewen Aitken said:

"We've been talking about and preparing for trams for years.  But now is the time to make it a reality and actually start work on the ground.

I promised that we wouldn't let the small matter of an election get in the way of this important project and we've delivered on that."

It is estimated that the tram line between Leith and Edinburgh Airport will be completed by Christmas 2010.

Edinburgh Evening News  March 16, 2007:  p.2
Edinburgh Evening News  March 31, 2007:  p.6
 

Update:  April 2007

Lack of Support

Local and Scottish Parliament elections are due to be held on May 3, 2007.

Ahead of these elections, Mike Graham of radio station 'Talk 107' hosted a pre-election debate before an all-ticket audience of 250.

The 'Evening News' reported that transport issues were high on the agenda.

 Labour, Lib Dem, Tory and Green  politicians all spoke in favour of the trams; SNP's Steve Cardownie was a lone voice in opposition.  However,  in the audience, less than a third of those present supported the proposed tram scheme.

Edinburgh Evening News  April 18, 2007:  pp.10-11

Update:  April 2007

Tunnel Problems

The 'Evening News' reported that the extent of the network of tunnels beneath the roads between Leith and Haymarket has taken engineers by surprise. 

These tunnels about 3 ft wide, 6 ft high, were built to enable mechanics to service the cables that hauled cable cars through the streets of Edinburgh.  Cable cars operated in Edinburgh between 1888 and 1923.in the early 1900s.

Edinburgh Evening News  April 19, 2007:  p.9

Update:  May 2007

Scottish Parliament Elections

The Scottish National Party emerged as the leading party with 47 seats, but not an overall majority in the Scottish Parliament elections held on May 3, 2007.