A better route

Congratulations to Allan Alstead (Opinion, 16 February) on his excellent open letter to Edinburgh's council leader about the trams. He has summarised the situation well and has posed serious questions that she will find it difficult, nay, impossible to answer.

In the light of the multitude of disputes and failures and, not least, the ever-worsening financial situation, why not do what should have been done some time ago and abandon the entire scheme.

Before anyone throws up their hands in horror, it can be shown that much of the work done to date is of use and will be of benefit in times to come.

Drains and supply pipes/cables have been renewed. The ground works at Gogar could improve the site and increase its value. But, to me, the most important is the work done in creating a pathway from Haymarket most of the way to Gogar. If track-laying were stopped now, this could provide us with a valuable roadway to the west.

At present, traffic from the city centre heading for the west has to limp along the Glasgow Road through the busy streets of Roseburn, Murrayfield and Corstorphine. The amount of fuel wasted crawling along this stretch merits some measure to save time and cost. And this bypass now under construction could fill the gap perfectly.

So let us have some constructive thinking from the council and create a facility that is desperately required now, in place of a deeply flawed, stumbling and deeply disliked project, the cost of which is set to make the city bankrupt.

Mr Alstead has it right – the present situation cannot be tolerated any longer

J R HALL

Colinton Grove

Edinburgh

In response to the article "Traffic lights row threatens to delay trams for months" (16 February), we would like to clarify that Edinburgh Trams are not involved in Network Rail's planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council concerning Gogar Interchange. The council is dealing with the proposals for the interchange through the statutory planning process.

The issue over the cost implications for traffic signal modifications for Gogar roundabout as a result of implementing the interchange is a matter for Network Rail, and this has no bearing on the tram project. Our priority continues to be the delivery of the tram project for the people of Edinburgh.

MANDY HAEBURN-LITTLE

Director of customer services and communications

Edinburgh Trams