Exhibition and book planned to chart the progress of trams project

Published on Wednesday 14 April 2010 09:59

IT'S perhaps more of a work in progress than a well-loved masterpiece.

But in a move likely to raise the odd eyebrow, the city's tram project is set to become the subject of a major exhibition.

Bosses at tram firm TIE are planning the showcase and an accompanying book which will chronicle work on the project from its inception to the current day.

Staff working for the tram company have spent the last few months photographing and gathering stories from construction workers on the ground.

It is hoped the images – which will form the basis of a book called The People Who Built the Trams – will eventually be held in the sort of affection as photographs taken during the construction of the Capital's previous tram project at the turn of the century.

Expected to be published this summer, the book will have a small print run and is to be kept in the city's libraries, while a location for the exhibition is currently being discussed with the council.

However, the idea today drew predictable criticism from traders who claim their businesses have suffered due to the on-street works, which have currently ground to a halt due to the dispute with German contractor Bilfinger Berger.

Gordon Burgess, of the Leith Business Association, said the idea was "ill-conceived and harebrained – much like the tram project itself."

He added: "This sounds like an April Fool, but I've checked the calendar and it's not the first of April anymore.

"We've had these tram works for three years, people have had to look at them day in, day out. Why would anyone want to go to an exhibition to see more of it?"

The book is being compiled by journalist Kenny Kemp with help from TIE's in-house photographer, Howard Elwyn-Jones.

Mr Kemp said: "This is a fascinating story of the people and the skills required to undertake this major UK engineering project.

"The guys working on the streets share the same frustrations with the people of Edinburgh about the delays and hold-ups, but there is a fierce pride in working on something as iconic as the tram network."

Mandy Haeburn-Little, director of customer services and communications for the trams, added: "These men and women have fascinating stories to tell of what it has been like to work on the project.

"Most are passionate supporters of the trams. Most are very proud of the work that they are involved in and cannot understand why they have been caught at the heart of such a political storm.

"The book, which has the full support of the board, will shortly be translated into a series of postcards and in time will form part of what we hope will be an extraordinary journal or account for the people of Edinburgh."

It is expected that the tram exhibition will go on show in the summer of 2012 – after the project is finished. It is also set to explore some of the archaeological finds unearthed by the works.

Lothians MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "You have to wonder how much this is costing. TIE need to stop the PR and the spin and get on with building the tram, which is what they're there for."

&#149 www.edinburghtrams.com

&#149 www.edinburgh.gov.uk