NEWS RELEASE
Wednesday 27th June 2007

Transport debate:
Welcome for Scottish Executive support for Edinburgh tram scheme

TRANSform Scotland [1] have today (Wednesday 27th) welcomed the Scottish Executive's announcement that it will fund the Edinburgh tram scheme and review the proposed Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL).

Colin Howden, Director of TRANSform Scotland, said:

"The Executive's change of heart over the Edinburgh tram scheme is very welcome.

"The tram scheme has overwhelming support from businesses, retailers, educational institutions, major employers, charities and the voluntary sector. It remains vital to the economy and sustainability of the Capital that the tram scheme is delivered as soon as possible.

"We have been campaigning for a tram system for Edinburgh for the best part of a decade and it is very heartening that this should now become a reality."

TRANSform Scotland also welcomed the decision to review the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link (EARL) project. Colin Howden said:

"We also welcome the decision to review EARL. We argued from the start that EARL had been badly-specified by the previous Scottish Executive. The current EARL scheme is a particularly poor project because it would have led to slower journey times on the mainline Scottish railway. We hope the Scottish Executive will now look at the alternative options that we promoted when the Parliamentary Bill was being promoted by the previous Executive."

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] Edinburgh tram scheme

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

[3] 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.

[4] TRANSform Scotland briefings on trams

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

The parliamentary briefing issued before today's debate is available at <http://www.transformscotland.org.uk/info/docs/2007-06-27_Trams_&_EARL_briefing.pdf>.

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

Last 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>.

[6] 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