No excuse for putting off tram inquiry, say government critics

THE Scottish Government has come under attack for its refusal to instigate the public inquiry into Edinburgh’s tram project –amid claims there is “no excuse” for a delay in starting to gather evidence.

Opposition politicians are demanding ministers spell out the terms of an inquiry and a timetable for when it will get under way.

The call came after finance secretary John Swinney admitted holding an investigation now would be a “distraction”.

The city’s main business group has issued a warning about rushing into an inquiry, insisting the focus should instead be on getting the project back on track. The earliest possible start date for any inquiry would be June of next year, to avoid a clash with the Scottish local government elections in May. It is thought the Scottish Government wants to wait until much nearer the planned start date – the summer of 2014 – before getting the inquiry under way.

Last night it insisted that the “immediate focus” had to be on delivering the project.

However, councillors and MSPs believe it would be unwise to delay the start of an inquiry as key figures involved in the saga may have moved on or be unable to recollect crucial evidence. There is also concern to avoid delays in learning vital lessons over the handling of the project, which is hundreds of millions of pounds over budget and should have been completed in 2009.

The Holyrood inquiry into the Scottish Parliament building was instigated well over a year before MSPs moved in. The report was published in September 2004, a few days after the first debate was held in the building.

Edinburgh’s main thoroughfare, Princes Street, is due to remain closed to traffic until next July to allow lines to be relaid, while tracks have only been laid on around a quarter of the 8.5 mile route to date.

Lothians Labour MSP Kezia Dugdale said: “There is no excuse whatsoever for any delay. The inquiry into the Scottish Parliament building was instigated well before it was finished and the same thing should happen with the trams. Everyone is agreed for the need to have an inquiry and all political parties have made mistakes. It’s vitally important we learn the lessons as soon as possible.”

Lesley Hinds, Labour’s transport spokeswoman on the council, said: “I think the government is worried about what an inquiry may find and they realise they are vulnerable over the trams. We should at least be getting that process under way.”

Tory councillor Jeremy Balfour added: “The longer you leave it, the more danger people involved with the project will have moved on or will forget exactly what happened. You could certainly get an inquiry under way by the summer if it was instigated now.”

Graham Birse, managing director at Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “The city needs some period of stability and recovery from what has gone wrong with this project over the next couple of years. I don’t think it would be a good idea to have senior figures and contractors involved with the project tied up in preparing evidence and taking legal advice.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “We are very happy to have a public inquiry into the trams issue, and will do so once the full circumstances can be examined. The immediate focus should be on delivering the project.”