A NEW campaign aiming to stop the £165 million extension to Edinburgh’s controversial tram network has been launched in the capital.
The Stop the Tram Extension Coalition (STEC) is an unlikely alliance of trade unionists from Unite, Conservatives and independent councillors, local businesses and the Scottish Socialist Party.
They say the council, which is facing a £41m budget cut, should spend its money on services first.
STEC told the Evening News: “The coalition has been formed to actively oppose the council’s misguided decision to spend millions of pounds extending the tram, at a time of huge public sector cuts in the capital.”
The current trams operate on just one line from the airport to the city centre instead of the originally planned three. They came into service years later than planned, and the budget soared from £500m to over £900m once interest payments were taken into account.
A public inquiry into the project is ongoing under Lord Hardie. The current tram service has exceeded targets and recorded a 10% passenger increase last year.
As well as the new campaign, an online petition against the extension has attracted 1200 signatures. The petition states: “The project has left Edinburgh the second most indebted council in Scotland, with total borrowing of more than £1.4 billion – nearly £3000 for every resident.
“The project would be part-financed by securing a £25m ‘extraordinary dividend’ from publicly-owned Lothian Buses, which means reduced investment in buses, job cuts, fare rises and a possible sell-off – another rip-off for the local people.
“The City of Edinburgh Council should not come to a decision to extend the lines before the Tram Public Enquiry is completed.”
It adds the money should be spend on community services instead to avoid them being cut down the line.
Transport and environment convener councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “One thing that needs to be made absolutely clear is that, contrary to Stop the Tram Extension Coalition’s claims, the completion of the tram line to Newhaven, if it goes ahead, will not divert funds from other Council services.”
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