Tram chiefs deny validity of internet post on scrapping of project

Published on Thursday 1 July 2010 10:05

TRAM bosses were forced to issue a statement denying the imminent scrapping of the project – after an internet rumour spread like wildfire.

News that moves were afoot to cancel the troubled scheme started on Twitter after one user said an announcement was expected yesterday afternoon.

The comment was seized upon by other users of the social networking site, including writer Ian Rankin who tweeted: "If true about trams, a shocker . . ."

Originally posted by a Twitter user calling themselves "Tane Piper", the rumour spread before tram firm TIE issued a denial to put out the flames.

Tane Piper later tweeted: "Well, if anything, today I've managed to put the willies up Edinburgh Council and TIE."

A later post read: "So looks like at the moment the official line coming out is I and my source were wrong."

A spokeswoman for TIE denied that any announcements were due to be made about the future of the project.

A statement from TIE, on Twitter, said: "The tram project has not been cancelled and there will be no announcement today to that effect. Unsubstantiated rumour from someone on Twitter."

A survey by the Evening News last week found the Edinburgh public split on the future of the project, with 47.4 per cent of those questioned in favour of ditching it and 39 per cent wanting to see it completed. A further 13.6 per cent were unsure.

The results came as it emerged that tram chiefs were locked in talks with contractor Bilfinger Berger about a "mature divorce" which would see a scaled-back route built as far as York Place.

Lothians SNP Shirley-Anne Somerville said the rumour had caused "some excitement" within the Scottish Parliament.

She added: "TIE might want to put another tweet up to tell us exactly what is happening."

Yesterday it emerged tram bosses have paid lawyers and private consultants 1.12m in the last three months for advice on a dispute with Bilfinger Berger.

Critics said the figures were a "scandal", but TIE's chief executive, Richard Jeffrey, said the use of consultants was about "protecting the public purse".