‘Risk consultants were dropped’ tram inquiry told
The man formerly tasked with co-ordinating Edinburgh trams project has told how consultants hired to assess financial risks were dropped.
Duncan Fraser told the Edinburgh trams inquiry that a project management company called Turner and Townsend had been earmarked to act as consultants on some of the financial and contractual matters.
However, following an examination of the risks as part of an OGC [Office of Government Commerce] review it was decided their services were no longer required.
When questioned, Mr Fraser voiced disappointment at this decision - which he said he assumed had been taken by the council directorate because of his view that Turner and Townsend could have provided officials with “invaluable” independent advice.
“I was slightly uncomfortable that we were going in this other direction,” he said.
Mr Fraser said he was also disheartened at the withdrawal of Transport Scotland from the project after the 2007 Scottish Parliament election. He said: “I did feel that we were losing a very helpful knowledge and experience base that would have helped us along our journey towards the completion of the tram.” Mr Fraser, who was employed by the council as tram co-ordinator from June 2007 to September 2009, gave evidence as the inquiry, which is being heard before Lord Hardie, yesterday entered its second week.
Mr Fraser explained his role did not include approvals for elements of tram design such as rail and locomotives.
He said it was to advise the project’s directorate about important issues to allow them to make informed decisions and raise critical issues during confidential meetings at a higher level, which he himself did not attend.
Giving evidence, Mr Fraser described the tram contract as “very difficult and complex” and therefore it required a large degree of expertise.
He said: “We were trying to build a railway..through a city on road. It is very difficult.
“We felt that - or I felt - that TIE had some excellent experience of how to build the railway infrastructure which formed the tram on a greenfield site. But what I was less convinced about was all the necessary skills to do with all the complexity of claims and counterclaims and these kind of commercial issues.”