This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/7956329.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Agreement reached in tram talks | Agreement reached in tram talks |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A resolution has been reached in the Edinburgh tram dispute, which has seen track laying on the capital's main thoroughfare halted for four weeks. | A resolution has been reached in the Edinburgh tram dispute, which has seen track laying on the capital's main thoroughfare halted for four weeks. |
| Following crunch talks, the work will begin on Princes Street next week. | Following crunch talks, the work will begin on Princes Street next week. |
| Project bosses Tie and their contractors Bilfinger Berger have been locked in a deadlock over disputed costs since 21 February. | Project bosses Tie and their contractors Bilfinger Berger have been locked in a deadlock over disputed costs since 21 February. |
| Edinburgh City Council leader Jenny Dawe said she was "delighted" with the outcome after "a frustrating period". | Edinburgh City Council leader Jenny Dawe said she was "delighted" with the outcome after "a frustrating period". |
| Outstanding issues | Outstanding issues |
| The dispute emerged just 24 hours before Princes Street was closed to all traffic, to allow the first tracks to be laid. | The dispute emerged just 24 hours before Princes Street was closed to all traffic, to allow the first tracks to be laid. |
| Transport Initiative Edinburgh (Tie) accused its contractors of demanding millions of pounds in extra payments. | Transport Initiative Edinburgh (Tie) accused its contractors of demanding millions of pounds in extra payments. |
| Independent assessors were to have been called in if no agreement had been reached in the latest talks. | |
| Ms Dawe said: "I am delighted with this outcome and eagerly look forward with anticipation to the first sections of track being laid on Princes Street. | Ms Dawe said: "I am delighted with this outcome and eagerly look forward with anticipation to the first sections of track being laid on Princes Street. |
| "The last month has been a frustrating period for everyone involved, not least the people of Edinburgh, and it's great news that the consortium and Tie have finally been able to resolve the outstanding issues. | "The last month has been a frustrating period for everyone involved, not least the people of Edinburgh, and it's great news that the consortium and Tie have finally been able to resolve the outstanding issues. |
| "Everyone concerned is now focused on delivering a world-class tram service to the people of Edinburgh and the millions of visitors who visit our capital city". | "Everyone concerned is now focused on delivering a world-class tram service to the people of Edinburgh and the millions of visitors who visit our capital city". |
| A spokesman for the BSC Consortium, of which Bilfinger Berger is a part, said: "We are pleased that agreement for Princes Street has been reached and look forward to progressing the works in a spirit of co-operation." | A spokesman for the BSC Consortium, of which Bilfinger Berger is a part, said: "We are pleased that agreement for Princes Street has been reached and look forward to progressing the works in a spirit of co-operation." |
| David Mackay, chairman of Tie, said: "I welcome today's decision to proceed with the Princes Street section and I have very much appreciated the full support of council leader Jenny Dawe." | David Mackay, chairman of Tie, said: "I welcome today's decision to proceed with the Princes Street section and I have very much appreciated the full support of council leader Jenny Dawe." |