Tram objector's new job is…tram tsar

Published on Wednesday 1 April 2009 22:10

THE former managing director of Edinburgh Airport has been appointed to lead the company developing the capital's controversial transit scheme.

Richard Jeffrey, who objected to the tram project when he ran the airport, was named yesterday as the new 140,000-a-year chief executive of city council-owned TIE.

Mr Jeffrey takes over in May and will be TIE's third chief in as many years.

Transport experts told The Scotsman he had been chosen to bolster the reputation of the project and improve relationships with others involved, following recent turmoil.

Mr Jeffrey's predecessor, Willie Gallagher, unexpectedly quit in November, and there was a bitter, month-long wrangle in February between TIE and the construction consortium over tramworks in Princes Street.

One expert said: "Mr Jeffrey's appointment is about creating a 'tram champion' to give it an air of respectability and dig the project out of the shambles."

Mr Jeffrey's conciliatory style is seen as being in sharp contrast to that of David Mackay, TIE's tough-talking chairman, who accused Bilfinger Berger, the firm at the centre of the construction dispute, of being a "modern-day Dick Turpin holding a pistol to our heads".

TIE said Mr Jeffrey "will be tasked with management of the project through the construction phase until operation".

The 512 million Edinburgh Airport-Newhaven route is due to open in July 2011.

The new chief will have a key role in integrating trams with services run by Lothian Buses, the city's main operator, which is also owned by the council. This follows the surprise resignation last October of Neil Renilson, who headed Transport Edinburgh, which was set up to integrate buses and trams.

TIE said Mr Jeffrey would have "a major influence in the development of the arrangements needed to ensure the development of Edinburgh's integrated public transport network".

Mr Jeffrey, who was managing director of Edinburgh Airport for six years until 2007, lodged an objection to the tram line five years ago.

He said the airport was "extremely concerned" the proposed tram halt was located in an area earmarked for potential future terminal expansion.

The objection won changes to the plans, and it was lifted in 2005 after long negotiations.

Mr Jeffrey, who is also the president of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said yesterday: "This is a fantastic job. I join the project at a crucial stage. I believe the introduction of trams and their integration with Lothian Buses will make a positive difference to the lives of those that live in, work in and visit Edinburgh.

"The opportunity to play a key role in shaping and building the future of Edinburgh's public transport is an exciting one."

Jenny Dawe, the city council leader, said: "The trams are crucial to the economic development of Edinburgh, and it was critical that we attracted a person with the strategic vision to see this project through."

Sarah Boyack, the Edinburgh Central Labour MSP, said: "I hope the appointment will encourage further co-operation to deliver a transport project to greatly benefit the people of Edinburgh."

• Did you spot our F-Rail Loop April Fool yesterday? Don't worry, there are no plans to expand the tram line east.

AIRPORT MAN ROOTED IN SCOTLAND

RICHARD Jeffrey had spent his entire career at BAA, which owns Edinburgh airport, before leaving two years ago with no job to go to.

He has since been responsible for new business development in Scotland for Babcock & Brown, an international investment firm.

Mr Jeffrey, 43, who lives with his wife and two daughters near Kinross, said he left BAA to stay in Scotland – because he would otherwise have been posted elsewhere.

His three-year term as president of Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, which is a strong supporter of the tram project, is due to end this year.

Mr Jeffrey joined BAA in 1987 after completing a civil engineering degree at Imperial College, London.

His roles with the firm included project management in the UK and United States, European new business development and 18 months as managing director of Aberdeen airport.