Archive for June 23rd, 2011
Edinburgh tram project may yield less network for more money
The Guardian has a story to-day about the latest developments in the saga of the Edinburgh trams. The project is already late and over budget but abandoning now would cost more than a partial completion.
Workmen on the Edinburgh tram project. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
What attracted my attention was the picture accompanying the story which shows the construction site – which looks even more horrendous than Cambie Street at its worst. There is also a link within the Guardian’s story to the 35 page Council Report, for those who want chapter and verse. This, it seems to me, would be a very good example that could be copied by our local media, which so often only provide links within their own web empire but not to external sources.
Every case is unique and different, of course. But Edinburgh is going to get cited by opponents of trams (or streetcars or whatever you want to call them) so even the proponents of this technology need to be aware of what went wrong there. And also, of course, what lessons that has for future projects in other places.
UPDATE September 14, 2011
The Scottish government has now stepped in and taken over the project
Stephen Rees's blog 