Tram to St Andrews Sq decision overturned

Today the council voted not to accept the financial package proposed to fund the tram to St Andrews Square.  The continuing risks of delay and cost escalation were a significant factor in the decision.  In effect this means the project is pulled back from the uncertain costs of the Haymarket to St Andrews Square section


Council officers will now pick up negotiations with the contractor with a view to bringing the section of the tram from the Airport to Haymarket to completion.  A significant proportion of the works on this section has been completed and the majority of the risks have been bottomed out.

The final vote was:

• Restrict tram project to complete Haymarket Section:  25 votes  (Conservative and Labour)
• Accept the funding package and push ahead to St Andrew Square:  19 votes (Lib Dems and Greens)
• Abstentions:  13 votes (SNP)
• There was one councillor who could not vote because his company works as

Here is the STV report.