Why businesses, industry leaders, universities and the people of Edinburgh are uniting in the battle to keep the tram project on the rails

Business leaders in the city are backing trams for Edinburgh.

They’re calling for First Minister Alex Salmond to support the tram project as an essential investment for the future growth of the city.

The leaders stress that the introduction of trams is vital to help achieve the First Minister’s stated ambitions for Scotland’s future.

This refers to a speech made in the Scottish Parliament on 24 May, where he said: “The overarching priority of the Government is a faster and more sustainable economic growth in Scotland…the health of the Scottish economy underpins all our priorities…a vibrant dynamic economy is the beating heart of a successful, confident nation.”

The business community within Edinburgh supports the First Minister’s assertion that the economy is a priority but believes that a decision to withdraw funding from the trams project would be a huge blow for the economy of the city and also for Scotland.

The need for a tram network in Edinburgh is still the driving force behind the Council’s transport plans for the foreseeable future.

Aside from the SNP, it has cross-party support in the Council and 75 per cent of Edinburgh councillors were elected on the promise that they would introduce trams.

The group leaders on the Council urge the First Minister to take the opportunity to make good on his promise for consensus working and support the tram project for Edinburgh, recognising that investing in the capital city means investing in Scotland.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Jenny Dawe, said: “The trams project commands wide support within the Council and the business community in the city.

“Without the tram project there is a real risk to the capital city’s future success, specifically the development of west Edinburgh, the city centre and the waterfront.

“The case for trams has been well made and it has been rigorously scrutinised through the parliamentary process.

“Edinburgh has a great bus network but expanding this is simply not enough to ensure the city’s economy flourishes in coming years.”

Brendan Dick, chairman of the Edinburgh Business Assembly, said: “Edinburgh’s success is critical for the long term prosperity of Scotland.

“The Edinburgh Business Assembly is clear that investment in the Edinburgh tram project is important for the long term economic and social wellbeing of Edinburgh, the wider city region and the nation as a whole.

“Edinburgh is the powerhouse of the current and future economic success of the nation, with 30,000 new jobs projected for the city by 2015.

“However, without improvements to the transport network, the entire city-region’s capacity to sustain and drive its economic growth will be severely damaged, and that will be bad for Scotland.”

Charles Hammond, group chief executive, Forth Ports PLC, said: “Economically, socially and environmentally, the tram is absolutely pivotal to the regeneration of north Edinburgh.

“Without it, the task of breathing life back into these communities, to the enormous benefit of the capital as a whole, will be made immeasurably more difficult.”

Ron Hewitt, chief executive, Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, said: “The business community welcomes investment in Edinburgh’s transport infrastructure for the good of the economy of both the city and the nation.

“We support the investment of over ten years and many millions of pounds in achieving a design solution to growing congestion in our capital which will send a message to inward investors that we are a city that is on the move and open for business.”

Gordon Drummond, general manager, Harvey Nichols, said: “A reliable, integrated transport system is vital for the economic prosperity of the city and a modern tram system will position the capital confidently alongside the major cities of Europe.”

Jim Hunter, facilities director at Standard Life, said: “Standard Life believes that the investment in trams is important and would make a positive contribution to the future transport network for Edinburgh.”

Simon Williams, chief executive of Edinburgh Principal Hotels Association, said: “As the UK’s second city for tourism and with increasingly well travelled visitors, the city, like its international counterparts, must be able to provide modern integrated transport to meet their needs.”