The Edinburgh tram works that was supposed to start today on Princes Street has been put off due to a disagreement between the tram project operators Tie and the German contractors Bilfinger Berger, Siemens and CAF.
The contractors are reportedly seeking between £50m and £80m
additional costs for completing "contractually agreed preliminary services" that should have been carried out by Tie. Bilfinger Berger claims Tie "failed to meet
contractually-agreed conditions."
Tram Project Director, Steven Bell, said the contractor's conditions were "unacceptable", so the infrastructure work could not go ahead as planned.
"The Edinburgh Tram Project was given 48 hours notice before the commencement of the Princes Street works that the tram project consortium, BSC, comprising Bilfinger Berger, Siemens and CAF wished to impose unacceptable conditions as a requirement to start in Princes Street."
"This decision is supported by the City of Edinburgh Council, the project client and Transport
Scotland which is the principal funder."
He added: "For safety reasons, it is, however, our intention to proceed with the implementation of the approved traffic management diversion as previously notified to you which will involve the removal of all vehicular traffic from Princes Street."