Main contractor reaches end of the line with tram project

Published on Friday 4 December 2009 09:47

THE main contractor on the first phase of the city's tram project is set to leave the scheme by the end of the year, it emerged today.

Construction giant Carillion will end its association with the embattled project at the end of the month, with outstanding utility diversion work at Haymarket and Picardy Place to be taken over by Middlesex-based Clancy Docwra.

It is the third part of the utilities contract which has been re- tendered following work at Edinburgh Airport and Ocean Terminal being re-advertised during the summer.

Clancy Docwra, which has worked with Scottish Water and Transco, will begin work at Haymarket and York Place in January – parts of the work which were originally scheduled to have been completed by autumn last year.

Tram chiefs refused to reveal the value of the contract, saying it was "commercially sensitive".

Steven Bell, director of the tram project, said: "Carillion has completed their agreed scope of work and it is therefore an opportunity to review our construction activities for the remaining utility works in and around the city centre.

"We have enjoyed a strong working relationship with Carillion since 2007.

"With their full support, we will be engaging a specialist contractor, Clancy Docwra, for the remaining utility work in these key areas."

Carillion has now completed far more utility diversions than were initially planned due to the amount of uncharted pipes and cables under the city's streets.

Last month, the Evening News revealed that just 79 per cent of the utility diversions had been completed across the 11-mile route.

Of that figure, Carillion had completed 96 per cent of its work, although the figure had slipped from 98 per cent due to extra work being unearthed.

Long-time tram critic John Carson, a former director of maintenance for Network Rail, believes the whole project is now 18 months behind schedule, despite assurances from TIE that it remains on target for February 2012.

He said: "My guess is that the project is at least 18-21 months late. There are large areas of the route that have not been done – they can't possibly be near completion. The whole thing beggars belief. TIE have spun things so much that they've lost the plot."

Carillion declined to comment.