HAVING already taken longer than the actual construction work, the cost of the public inquiry into the Edinburgh Trams scandal has soared to £11.3 million.
There is also no news of when Lord Hardie, the former judge who is chairing the inquiry, will deliver his report.
In response to a freedom of information request, the Scottish Government stated: “The cost to date of the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry has been £11.3m. Lord Hardie has not yet announced a date when he intends to publish his report.
“It has now been 28 months since the inquiry concluded its evidence sessions. The Scottish Government will continue to consider carefully the need for and benefits of any future public inquiries and expects the written report by the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry to provide valuable lessons for any such future infrastructure projects in line with its terms of reference.
READ MORE: Edinburgh Trams and Glasgow Subway secure £4m funding boost
Edinburgh Council leader Adam McVey said: “We have supported the Tram Inquiry throughout and have been eager for recommendations to be made public as quickly as possible.
“We look forward to the inquiry’s conclusions. Any lessons learned identified through the inquiry as well as those we have already taken on board through the delivery of the existing successful tram line will further help us as we look to expand the city’s tram network.
Saying that Lord Hardie would take “as long as necessary”, a spokesperson for the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry said the findings “will be made available at the earliest opportunity.”
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