Leader: Journey's end for trams company

THE departure of Richard Jeffrey from his post as chief executive of TIE, the arm's-length company set up by Edinburgh City Council to establish a trams network, is another blow to the ill-fated scheme.

Like his predecessor Willie Gallagher, Mr Jeffrey lasted just two years in the position, a fact that tells its own story. Rumours that Mr Jeffrey was to stand down had been circulating for several days. Those in the know denied there was something amiss when there clearly was. Now the news has been confirmed TIE and the council have some serious questions to answer.

Why did Mr Jeffrey quit? From his bland statement about moving on, there is no clue. The truth is he was handed the task of fixing the unfixable. Long before his arrival the contracts that led to the dispute with the contractors were agreed and the decisions taken to rush the construction of parts of the track.

It may be that Mr Jeffrey was perceived to be too forceful in his dealings with the contractors, including the obdurate Bilfinger Berger, though he will have seen that as his job.

However, as the mediation with the contractors is effectively being led by the council's chief executive, Sue Bruce, perhaps it is right for Mr Jeffrey to go. But his departure raises a wider question over the future of TIE, which is to come under the umbrella group Transport Edinburgh. As there is only going to be, at best, a tram to Princes Street, and though short of funds to complete it, it is mostly built, there is little point in keeping TIE. The council should put TIE out of its misery.