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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Tram on display as talks continue | Tram on display as talks continue |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A mock-up of a tram to be used in Edinburgh has been put on display in Princes Street as efforts continue to resolve a dispute over money. | A mock-up of a tram to be used in Edinburgh has been put on display in Princes Street as efforts continue to resolve a dispute over money. |
| The city centre's main thoroughfare has been closed to all traffic despite work to lay tram tracks being put on hold. | The city centre's main thoroughfare has been closed to all traffic despite work to lay tram tracks being put on hold. |
| Talks are to resume later in an effort to resolve the row between a consortium including the German firm Bilfinger Berger and tram project managers Tie. | Talks are to resume later in an effort to resolve the row between a consortium including the German firm Bilfinger Berger and tram project managers Tie. |
| The large-scale tram model was installed on Sunday. | The large-scale tram model was installed on Sunday. |
| The dispute between Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (Tie) and its contractors has resulted in the work in Princes Street failing to go ahead. | The dispute between Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (Tie) and its contractors has resulted in the work in Princes Street failing to go ahead. |
| Contractor consortium BSC said it could not start work until agreement had been reached on "additional costs". | Contractor consortium BSC said it could not start work until agreement had been reached on "additional costs". |
| Tie claimed the "unacceptable" conditions could add £50m to £80m to the cost of the project. | Tie claimed the "unacceptable" conditions could add £50m to £80m to the cost of the project. |
| Talks are being held to find a resolution to the dispute. | Talks are being held to find a resolution to the dispute. |
| A last minute dispute with contractors has delayed the work | |
| The closure of Princes Street was planned until the end of November. | The closure of Princes Street was planned until the end of November. |
| However, it was thought that the street could reopen next week if no agreement was reached to begin the work. | However, it was thought that the street could reopen next week if no agreement was reached to begin the work. |
| Edinburgh Conservative MSP David McLetchie said the council had to hold firm. | Edinburgh Conservative MSP David McLetchie said the council had to hold firm. |
| He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "This needs to be resolved this week, it needs to be resolved quickly. | He told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "This needs to be resolved this week, it needs to be resolved quickly. |
| "That should be possible in terms of the contract but I think that the council has to stand very firm on this and some of the figures that are being bandied about like wanting an extra £80m are frankly ridiculous. | "That should be possible in terms of the contract but I think that the council has to stand very firm on this and some of the figures that are being bandied about like wanting an extra £80m are frankly ridiculous. |
| "There can be no question of the council or the Scottish taxpayer, for that matter, being held to ransom on this." | "There can be no question of the council or the Scottish taxpayer, for that matter, being held to ransom on this." |
| Stretching to 15m (50ft) in length, the dummy tram includes the driver's cab and a section of a carriage. | Stretching to 15m (50ft) in length, the dummy tram includes the driver's cab and a section of a carriage. |
| Tram design | |
| The carriage shows different seating and interior options, which are still subject to final design. | The carriage shows different seating and interior options, which are still subject to final design. |
| The mock-up was produced as part of the contract by the Spanish manufacturer, CAF.The proposal is for 27 trams. Each is 42.8m (140ft) long and 2.65m (8ft 8ins) wide with seven articulated sections. | The mock-up was produced as part of the contract by the Spanish manufacturer, CAF.The proposal is for 27 trams. Each is 42.8m (140ft) long and 2.65m (8ft 8ins) wide with seven articulated sections. |
| There will be a capacity for about 250 passengers on each tram, which can travel up to 30mph when on the street and to 45mph off-street. | There will be a capacity for about 250 passengers on each tram, which can travel up to 30mph when on the street and to 45mph off-street. |
| Ahead of the mock-up's arrival, Phil Wheeler, City of Edinburgh Council's transport convener, said he was sure residents and visitors would enjoy being able to experience the modern trams. | Ahead of the mock-up's arrival, Phil Wheeler, City of Edinburgh Council's transport convener, said he was sure residents and visitors would enjoy being able to experience the modern trams. |
| He said: "It really paints a picture of what people have to look forward to. Once up and running in 2011, these environmentally-friendly trams will help move about our growing population quickly and efficiently." | He said: "It really paints a picture of what people have to look forward to. Once up and running in 2011, these environmentally-friendly trams will help move about our growing population quickly and efficiently." |