NEWS RELEASE
Wednesday 20th June 2007

Edinburgh transport projects review:
Welcome for Audit Scotland support for tram project

TRANSform Scotland [1] have today (Wednesday) welcomed the publication of Audit Scotland's report 'Edinburgh transport projects review'. TRANSform Scotland have welcomed the finding that the Edinburgh tram project is firmly on-course and well-managed, but are not surprised that the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL) project has been found to be in trouble.

Paul Tetlaw, Chair of TRANSform Scotland, said:

"Audit Scotland's investigation has given the trams a clean bill of health. The Scottish Executive has now simply no case upon which to scrap the trams. It is vital for the Capital's economy and for our environment that it now presses ahead with the early completion of the tram scheme, including the Haymarket to Granton spur in order to serve Edinburgh's Waterfront.

"The tram scheme has overwhelming support from businesses, retailers, educational institutions, major employers, charities and the voluntary sector. Cancelling the tram project at this stage would be seen as an attack on the future of the Capital."

On EARL, Paul Tetlaw said:

"We are not surprised with the finding that the EARL project is in trouble. We have argued from the start that EARL was badly-specified by the Scottish Executive. EARL is a particularly poor project because it will lead to slower journey times on the mainline Scottish railway.

"The Executive should scrap EARL and instead spend the funds on upgrading the inter-city network so that Scotland's cities are connected by fast and frequent train services. Journey times between Scotland's major cities have been allowed to become uncompetitive with the car, and it is this that the Scottish Executive must focus on if it is realistic about tackling climate change emissions from the transport sector."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] TRANSform Scotland

TRANSform Scotland is the national sustainable transport alliance, bringing together rail, bus and shipping operators, local authorities, national environment and conservation groups, businesses and local transport groups.

We can be contacted at Lamb's House, Burgess Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6RD. Tel 0131 467 7714; fax 0131 554 8656; email <info@transformscotland.org.uk>; web <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk>.

[2] Audit Scotland report

This is available at <http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/publications/pdf/2007/nr_070620_edin_transport_project.pdf>.

[3] Edinburgh tram scheme

More information on the proposed Edinburgh tram network can be found at: <http://tramsforedinburgh.com>.

[4] Support for Edinburgh tram scheme

The Edinburgh tram project has received widespread support from private, public and voluntary sector organisations across Edinburgh and Scotland.

Businesses, retailers, educational institutions and major employers that have indicated their support for the tram scheme have included: Forth Ports plc and Edinburgh Airport; John Lewis and Marks and Spencer; the University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University and Telford College; Standard Life and Oracle; Edinburgh City Centre Management Company and Edinburgh International Conference Centre; Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, the Scottish Council Development and Industry; and the Institute of Directors, Scotland.

Charities, voluntary organisations and campaign groups that have indicated their support for the tram scheme have included: Capability Scotland, The Cockburn Association, Friends of the Earth Scotland, The National Trust for Scotland, RSPB Scotland, The Scottish Association for Public Transport, Scottish Environment LINK, Spokes the Lothian Cycle Campaign, Stop Climate Chaos Scotland, TRANSform Scotland, Voluntary Health Scotland and WWF Scotland.

[5] TRANSform Scotland briefing on Edinburgh trams

TRANSform Scotland's 'Trams for Edinburgh' briefing is available at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/info/docs/2007-05-23_Trams_briefing.pdf>.

[6] TRANSform Scotland report 'Trams for Edinburgh's Waterfront'

Earlier this week, TRANSform Scotland launched a report 'Trams for Edinburgh's Waterfront' showing strong support for the Edinburgh tram scheme to serve Edinburgh's Waterfront development. The report illustrates survey results from almost 1000 individuals - staff & students at Telford College, and staff at Scottish Gas.

At Telford College, the survey found that over three-quarters (77%) of staff & students would use the tram - and that over half (53%) of the staff that currently use a car to get to Telford would in future take the tram.

For Scottish Gas's HQ at Granton, the survey found that over three-quarters (81%) of staff would use the tram - and that well over half (63%) of staff who currently use a car to get to Scottish Gas would in future take the tram.

The full report is available online at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/info/docs/2007-06-18_trams_Waterfront.pdf>.

See also news release at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/info/news/2007/2007-06-18.html>.

[7] Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL)

TRANSform Scotland gave evidence against the EARL project during its Parliamentary Bill process. Our evidence paper (May 2006) is available at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/info/docs/2006-05-15_EARL_evidence.pdf>.


END OF NEWS RELEASE