£776m question

Given the good news that the Edinburgh trams will be up and running and in revenue service by May 2014, now would be an appropriate time for the SNP government to fulfil its commitment to hold a public inquiry.

Transport minister Keith Brown’s ebullient comments regarding his government’s handling of the trams means he should be first to ask for an inquiry to demonstrate the skills his transports officials have applied in turning round this project.

Perhaps at the same time Councillor Andrew Burns and his cohorts could fulfil their election promise of more open and accountable local government and release the costs for the trams missing from the last report submitted to the governance and risk committee.

These costs, in July of this year, should show the project to be overspent in every cost heading other than the off-road section.

I am, therefore, bound to ask where the money is to come from to support the project until next May.

Is this project really within its £776 million budget?

John RT Carson

Kirkliston Road

South Queensferry