Government ‘must act on trams probe’

THE timing of an inquiry into the Capital’s troubled tram project is to be decided by the Scottish Government, after councillors said the ball was in its court.

Council leader Andrew Burns said he and colleagues had told ministers they wanted to see a hearing into the trams start “as soon as possible”.

The Scottish Government has dismissed claims that it has ruled out starting an inquiry into the project before the trams are due to start running in the summer of 2014.

The new council is understood to be pushing for a hearing to get under way early.

Deputy Council leader Steve Cardownie warned that an inquiry could prove a distraction while there is work still to be finished.

But Mr Burns and Transport Leader Lesley Hinds have held ministerial meetings at which they underlined the need for progress to be made.