Forth Ports - 'This is a case of evolution, not revolution'

IT feels like a long time since the construction cranes all but vanished from the Leith Waterfront and the building sites fell silent.

But the day when serious development work resumes there may have moved a step closer following the takeover yesterday of Forth Ports.

Seeing the port operator lose its independence after 44 years and fall under the control of a London-based investor with Australian roots might concern some people.

But the truth is this is evolution rather than revolution.

The new owners Arcus have been the company's biggest shareholder for three years and are understood to be committed to Forth Ports' existing business plans.

That fact won't be welcomed by the many opponents of the controversial biomass plant proposed for the docks, but it is positive on several other scores.

By meeting the asking price of 744 million, Arcus has swept aside more than a year of uncertainty about the company's future. It has also shown its financial muscle and a significant commitment to a broad blueprint with exciting possibilities for the Capital.

The redevelopment of 400 acres of Waterfront land as a thriving new district, ambitious plans for making Edinburgh an international leader in green energy markets and the proposed giant ferris wheel would all be significant boosts to the city's economy.

Don't expect change overnight, but the signs are encouraging enough to say watch this space.

Finger of blame

AS the trams fiasco has unfolded there have been two constants - the ever-rising cost, obviously, but also the attempts of those involved to pass the buck.

In the popular letters page of the News and elsewhere, politicians of all parties have done their best to make sure that their rivals get their share of the blame.

Now even the First Minister is at it. Yesterday Alex Salmond tried to label his Labour opponent Iain Gray the "Minister for Trams" because he effectively wrote the first cheque in 2003.

But back then the trams seemed a good idea to most people. In principle they still are - it's just that the project has been so badly handled that it has tested the faith of even the biggest enthusiast.

When the inevitable inquiry comes the "guilty" will have to explain their part, and they'll be closer to home than Mr Gray.