True cost of tram project still unknown

But Cllr Dawe seemed equally confident in all the other tram-related figures she’s been presented with over the years, especially in the halcyon days when her catchphrase was that the project was “on time and on budget”, and anyone who raised awkward questions was dismissed as an ill- informed Cassandra.

Her administration displayed the same arrogant certainty. As recently as January of last year, when the whole enterprise already looked distinctly rackety to most outside observers, transport convener Gordon Mackenzie said: “For the absence of doubt, the tram project will be delivered in 2012, as promised, and for a sum far less than £1 billion despite what the apparent experts quoted say to the contrary.”

So was the previous high-handed confidence of Dawe, Mackenzie and co a brazen facade, designed to mislead the public? Or were they gullible idiots, hoodwinked by their own officials and totally out of their depth?

Either way, why on earth should we have any confidence in them now?

Too late, of course: these are the individuals who’ve just signed a blank cheque on behalf of the people of Edinburgh.

David Jackson Young

India Street

Edinburgh

While some critics have begun turning on the SNP, which, in order to try to save some face for both Scotland and its capital, has taken the mature decision to ensure that we have a tram line that actually achieves something rather than nothing but an eye-watering amount of year-on-year loss-making, the spotlight must be maintained on the other parties.

Firstly, we should remember that, irrespective of its “bonkers” stance last week when it proposed that the line should stop at Haymarket, the trams project is Labour’s baby and it, more than any other, is responsible for the shambles. There is also a sense of irony in Labour performing an extraordinary U-turn by voting against its own short-lived “tram-lite” preference, despite its bluster last week.

Secondly, the Lib Dems, ultimate masters of the trams project over the past four years. They cannot escape substantial blame for mismanagement of the project, the contract and the finances. How these politicians ever expect to be taken seriously again is beyond me.

Thirdly, the Tories. I suspect that few could believe their eyes when Cllr Balfour appeared on television desperately trying to justify the ludicrous and quite indefensible position of his party.

The Tories played a key role in pushing through funding for the trams project back in 2007, despite efforts by the SNP to axe the doomed scheme. For them to argue that the project has gone wrong and that losses should be cut is both insulting and indefensible; they should have the moral fibre to see it through to completion.

While I did not support this project and wish dearly that it hadn’t passed go, millions of pounds worth of taxpayers’ money has nonetheless been spent on this fiasco, so let’s at least see something in return.

David Balfour

Craobhraid na Coilltich

Inverness

So the decision is made and that key traffic artery from somewhere near the airport through the back of beyond to Harvey Nichols is to be.

What a sad day for this city, to see the elected councillors disregard financial, commercial and planning advice, the will of the electorate and the future of the fine bus service in order to vote on party lines to meet the will of the paymasters.

More disruption, more financial overruns (what have they forgotten to ask about this time) and the council is happy to see this happen!

Time has surely come to look for more independent office bearers and consign this party-based unthinking collection of buck-passers to history.

I dream of a city council that cares more for the city than for itself.

Dream on.

David Gerrard

Spylaw Park

Edinburgh