Judge’s tram inquiry meets wall of silence

Lord Hardie voices anger over lack of co-operation

THE former judge investigating Edinburgh’s controversial trams project yesterday said a lack of cooperation from witnesses threatened to derail the inquiry.

Lord Hardie also urged residents who endured years of disruption to speak out.

It came as Edinburgh council- lors agreed to spend £400,000 on a report looking at extending the route to Leith – despite being told to make massive cash savings.

The City of Edinburgh Council has insisted it is willing to assist in the inquiry, but its arm’s length transport agency, Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE), which managed the project until 2011, folded and several senior figures left after receiving huge pay-offs.

Last week, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon granted statutory powers so that Lord Hardie could compel people to attend.

The former Lord Advocate told the BBC yesterday that during his preliminary i nvestigation some people ‘refused point blank to co-operate, others just didn’t answer letters’. He added: ‘ It became clear to me that if that persisted then the whole process could be frustrated and certainly take a period of time that was unacceptable to me.’

Businesses along Leith Walk endured major disruption during preparatory work for a tram branch line that was subsequently axed in 2010.

Lord Hardie said: ‘There were consequences that I am aware of for householders, for shopkeepers, for developers not only along the route of the tram but along the diverted routes of traffic.

‘I would put out a plea to them now to think about what they are going to say, to get together with like-minded people to present a joint submission to the inquiry at the appropriate time, which will be when we call for evidence.

‘If lessons are learned, then the benefit of this inquiry will be that future

‘This blame game is too late’

public procurement contracts will be delivered on time, on budget and as promised.’

But some politicians see the probe as an unnecessary distraction. Scottish Tory MSP Cameron Buchanan said: ‘It’s no surprise to see this inquiry encounter difficulties at an early stage. The people of Edinburgh have moved on, the trams are here and people just want to get on with it.

‘Many of those at fault have long since left their posts and this blame game is too late in the day to have any impact. The considerable sums spent on this inquiry would be better invested in making this transport system a success.’

It emerged last week that the council wants to resurrect a planned extension to Leith – despite being warned it needs to make £67million savings by watchdogs.

The tram line running from Edinburgh Airport to York Place finally opened earlier this year – five years late. The eventual cost of £776million was more than double the sum earmarked for the project by the previous Labour-led administration.

However, once interest payments over 30 years are included, the final cost will reach £1billion – making it the most expensive transport scheme per mile in the world.

During a meeting of the local authority yesterday, councillors agreed that the extension to Leith would only go ahead if costs could be justified.

The group looking into the viability of the project will be chaired by council leader Andrew Burns. Its final report is expected in the Spring.