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Review of city tram plan awaited Review of city tram plan awaited
(10 minutes later)
A report into two major transport projects in the Scottish capital is to be published by the spending watchdog.A report into two major transport projects in the Scottish capital is to be published by the spending watchdog.
Auditor General Robert Black was asked by the Scottish government to urgently review the planned Edinburgh trams and airport rail link for the city.Auditor General Robert Black was asked by the Scottish government to urgently review the planned Edinburgh trams and airport rail link for the city.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have criticised the move.Labour and the Liberal Democrats have criticised the move.
However, the SNP administration has concerns that the two projects do not represent value for money. They have been costed at about £600m each.However, the SNP administration has concerns that the two projects do not represent value for money. They have been costed at about £600m each.
Two weeks ago, the auditor general was called in to review how the figures had been arrived at.Two weeks ago, the auditor general was called in to review how the figures had been arrived at.
Policy decisionsPolicy decisions
The projects were backed by the last parliament, although no final decisions have been taken on their future.The projects were backed by the last parliament, although no final decisions have been taken on their future.
The new government said its priority was to protect Scottish tax payers and ensure that major transport projects benefited travellers and the economy.The new government said its priority was to protect Scottish tax payers and ensure that major transport projects benefited travellers and the economy.
Although the Tories and Edinburgh City Council welcomed the move in order to bring further clarity, Labour and the Liberal Democrats suggested the auditor was being used to overturn policy decisions.Although the Tories and Edinburgh City Council welcomed the move in order to bring further clarity, Labour and the Liberal Democrats suggested the auditor was being used to overturn policy decisions.
Meanwhile, a recent survey of commuters in Edinburgh claimed support for plans for a tram network in the city.Meanwhile, a recent survey of commuters in Edinburgh claimed support for plans for a tram network in the city.
More than three quarters of 850 workers and students on the city waterfront said they would use the tram, according to the work by transport body Transform Scotland.More than three quarters of 850 workers and students on the city waterfront said they would use the tram, according to the work by transport body Transform Scotland.
Scotland's public spending watchdog is to publish a report on controversial plans for trams and an airport rail link for Edinburgh.
The auditor general was asked by the new SNP administration to review how costs of more than £1bn for both projects were arrived at.
First Minister Alex Salmond is concerned at possible cost overruns.
The SNP manifesto promised to cancel them and Mr Salmond said he thinks the money could be better spent.
Press ahead
Mr Salmond said he was concerned that the costs of large public projects often overrun, citing the Holyrood Parliament itself, as well as the Stirling to Alloa rail link which has more than doubled in price.
Ministers will base a decision on whether to allow the projects to continue on the auditor general's conclusions.
Audit Scotland was to scrutinise not the schemes themselves, but the way the costs of both have been assessed. And it has had just two weeks to prepare the report.
But the minority administration has come under pressure from both Labour and Liberal Democrats to press ahead with the schemes.
The Lib Dems said it was unprecedented for an executive minister to order Audit Scotland to carry out an inquiry "purely to fix a political problem of their own making".