Audit Scotland released its Edinburgh Trams Interim Report today. It was a day earlier than planned, after the report was leaked. The 44-page report provides an analysis of the trams work to date, although it does not express any opinion on the project’s management and contracts, or the cause and cost of time overruns due to the industrial dispute between tie and its contractors.
The report points out that due to the contractual dispute between tie and Bilfinger Berger Siemens only 28 per cent of infrastructure work has been completed against a target of 99 per cent by the end of December 2010. However, utilities diversion works are 97 per cent complete and almost three-quarters of the tram vehicles have been built.
So far, £402 million has been spent on Phase 1a route from Edinburgh Airport to Leith Waterfront. This is 74 per cent of the total funding currently available.
Until the contractual dispute is resolved, the total cost of completing the line cannot be accurately estimated, although it is clear that it will not be completed within the £545 million approved budget.
Auditor General for Scotland, Robert Black says the transport arm of the Scottish Government needs to get involved.
"Transport Scotland has committed £500m to the trams project. Given this significant interest and its expertise in managing major transport projects, the Scottish Government needs to consider whether it should become more actively involved to help avoid possible further delays and cost overruns.”
Black criticised tie's poor level of communication given "the public concern and the risks associated with the project.”
He said: “Public confidence in the project is extremely low. The City of Edinburgh Council and tie urgently need to better explain to the public how this complex project is progressing.”
City of Edinburgh Transport Convenor Councillor Gordon Mackenzie called the Audit Scotland report "a solid overview of the project history and the current situation."
He added: "Given how important the tram is to Edinburgh's transport network and economic future, we all want to see the project gain the public's confidence. Realistically, we will only reach that point when people see evidence of sustained progress. That's why our focus at this time is very much on getting a clear outcome from the mediation process."
"We remain firmly committed to a project which will contribute to the future prosperity of Edinburgh and a clean, green and efficient transport system."
Edinburgh Trams said the report was "a fair and balanced synopsis."