Delay reaction

RECENTLY, I walked from the West End of Edinburgh to Haymarket. It was a pleasant, peaceful stroll (apart from the absence of trees in Atholl Crescent). I did see a few men in reflective ­jackets, three of whom were ­actually working on the tramlines as I passed.

This apparent total lack of ­urgency was no real surprise, just an awful reminder of the way in which this unnecessary trams project has been handled. And there wasn’t even bad weather to blame.

I am reminded that the trams were to run in 2008. That year, London was granted the Olympic Games. By this weekend, the Olympic Games facilities will have been conceived, planned, built, used and finished with, as far as their main purpose is concerned. I know the Paralympics are yet to take place. Maybe it’s not a true comparison, but it does show what can be achieved in four years by a project team that is skilled, determined, experienced and committed.

I mourn for Edinburgh each time I witness more of the £1 billion destruction these wretched trams are inflicting on our once beautiful capital.

David Gerrard

Spylaw Park

Edinburgh