Letters: It should be the end of the line for tram fiasco bosses

This is despite their recent vehement assertion that trams would be running, within budget, from the airport to Newhaven by 2012.

The initial Scottish Government grant of 375m was proclaimed by the council's then transport leader, Andrew Burns, as "effectively total funding for the first two lines". The cost per kilometre worked out at 12.93 million, the cost/benefit ratios were 1.21 and 1.40 for each of Tram Line 1 and 2, respectively, and the whole scheme was based upon a so-called "robust business case", which depended heavily upon the realisation of planned developments.

The tram scheme has so far cost around 400m and has resulted in no improvement but very considerable pain. The contracts, which TIE was adamant were fixed price, are obviously not as the council now seeks to backpedal from its previous threat of court action.

We have no firm indication of the final cost or completion date of Phase 1a or any part thereof. The indefinite delay in property developments, which were to generate huge numbers of tram passengers, will leave Lothian Buses with years of financial difficulties whilst it grapples with the burden of TIE and the loss-making trams.

To add insult to injury, TIE and Cllr Mackenzie would now have us believe the latest "refreshed" business case, for less than half the original tramline at all the cost (and probably more), is still robust. This contempt for the public's intelligence is quite astonishing.

The time has come for these worthies to be relieved of their responsibilities. Their project management is an embarrassment to the city and the information they have provided has been so inaccurate and costly they are no longer credible.

A J Bourne, Groathill Road South, Edinburgh

City bus journeys get green for go

AS a recent user of the Greener Journeys vouchers, I would like to congratulate Lothian Buses on running an excellent service, one I'm sure the trams will be hard pushed to beat, if the project is ever completed.

When someone else is happy to undertake the stress of driving and is quite civil about it, and the buses generally run on time are warm, comfortable and well maintained, who is really complaining?

Also, in an age when we are trying to reduce carbon emissions, if public transport was given a more appealing image and if bus companies were used to their maximum efficiency I feel sure the public would be more encouraged to use this mode of transport more often.

Angus McGregor, Albion Road, Edinburgh

Does no services equal no charge?

WE have now had three weeks of lying snow. My road is in a frightening state, there has been no effort to clear either the road or pavement.

The residents have all played their part and cleared the pavement and in some instances parts of the road.

On phoning the council I am told clearing will be done as soon as possible. The same applies to refuse collection. However, other vehicles are making their way as I have had a furniture delivery and seen other lorries/vans carefully make their way along the road.

What has added insult to injury is I saw a refuse lorry go along the road but not lifting wheelie bins. It had a driver with two operatives asleep in the seats behind. Is this why I pay my council tax? Will the council accept my excuse of the bad weather has meant I can't get out to pay my bill, and should I pay it as I have had no services for three weeks?

M Cooper, Corstorphine

An icy hell on the city's pavements

WHERE have all the wee pavement ploughs-cum-gritters been for the past two weeks?

While Lothian Buses has done a sterling job keeping routes open, it has been hell slithering on icy pavements from the bus stop to the front door.

Colin C Maclean, Hillpark Avenue, Edinburgh