Now it's Marge vs city's trams

Published on 24/12/2005 13:04

CARTOON icon Marge Simpson has been drafted in to help fight Edinburgh's controversial tram proposals.

The much-loved character gained worldwide acclaim for her battle against a light rail system in her home town of Springfield.

Now, residents campaigning against the city council's plans for two tram lines want Marge to spread her message across the Capital.

In an episode from the fourth series of the popular TV show, called "Marge vs the Monorail", the long-suffering mother is the sole objector to a new transport system being built for millions of dollars in Springfield. She isn't taken in by a fast-talking charmer who sells the town a monorail of dubious necessity and, she later learns, highly dubious quality.

Anti-tram campaigners in Edinburgh today encouraged residents and politicians to buy a DVD of the episode as a last-minute Christmas present.

John Barkess, from Upper Coltbridge Terrace, said: "If friends or families of MSPs and city councillors are looking for last-minute presents I can heartily recommend the Simpson's DVD 'Marge vs the Monorail'.

"Its message is uncannily familiar and can be transposed to the Edinburgh tram debate without changing a thing other than locale. It has every- thing required for a balanced judgment - a Mr Burns (enough said), a public 'consultation' that is nothing of the sort, a flashy promoter with spin, a sensible alternative (to fix the streets), an illogical routing, failure of earlier projects that were hushed up, massive disruption during construction and the final, inevitable disaster."

In the TV episode, citizens of Springfield must decide how to spend a $3 million fine paid by power plant owner Mr Burns, who is caught dumping nuclear waste in a city park. A well-timed appearance by fast-talking Lyle Lanley persuades the townspeople to commission a monorail, over Marge's objections.

Marge uncovers disturbing evidence about the project, as well as similar disasters in other towns. Predictably, at its grand opening, the monorail spirals out of control. Tina Woolnough, chairwoman of the Edinburgh Tram Information Campaign - which opposes the alignment of Tram Line One - said: "The show sends up local politicians who try to deliver prestigious projects to local people who don't actually want them.

"They all ask why it is needed, and, of course, there is no answer. People in Edinburgh should watch this show, because it is the only light relief they will get when it comes to trams."

In reality, the Capital's tram project is - of course - markedly different to the monorail system Marge fought against.

Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE) - the council-owned company in charge of the scheme - chose not to comment because it is "building a first-class network for Edinburgh, not Springfield".