Tram works: 'TIE are behind and time, as they say, is money'

Published on Monday 26 January 2009 09:09

Evening News Comment TODAY we will discover whether the new traffic management plan put in place to allow tram works to begin on Princes Street will work.

It is to be hoped that there will be no repeat of the gridlock experienced when The Mound was briefly closed to traffic for the same purpose in October.

The council and TIE appear to be taking a big gamble in that the only changes to the original chaotic scheme are that the sequencing of some traffic lights have been altered and that further parking restrictions have been introduced.

But while tram chiefs continue to make encouraging noises that the overall project is still roughly within budget and on time there are worrying signs that some serious slippage is creeping in.

Under the original plans it was proposed to keep one westbound lane on Princes Street opened while works took place. But the News understands that the decision was taken to go for a total closure because the contractors were behind schedule and this would allow them to catch up.

The project appears to be running into problems in other areas too. It was revealed earlier this month that work on laying the actual lines on Leith Walk, which has to date suffered the greatest disruption, will be delayed by at least three months, while work at the busy Haymarket junction has also taken longer than expected. Construction of the depot at Gogar is also behind schedule.

TIE will doubtless say that they are only behind in some areas due to requests for work to be suspended during the festive period – but the fact remains that they are behind and time, as they say, is money. While no direct comparison can be drawn, lengthy delays on the Stirling-Alloa-Kincardine rail line saw costs double.

While the Evening News has consistently supported trams for the transport benefits they will bring, we have always stressed the need for the project to be delivered on time and within budget.

Today we reveal that council chiefs are in talks with the Government over new ways of raising cash to meet a predicted shortfall in the project – and possibly pay for the additional spur line to Granton. They wish to be allowed to borrow against projected increases in business rates generated by new developments like the Waterfront.

The plan has some merit but with the council having to make a decision on the 87 million Granton spur by next month it would appear that such a scheme has been suggested too late, and who can guarantee a return under current economic conditions? But if it were to provide adequate funding to fill the financial black hole on the main line itself, or even provide enough to make the axed line 3 to Newcraighall a viable proposition, it is an avenue worth exploring.