20 September 2011
'Green Light for Light Rail'
Transform Scotland [1] have welcomed the publication of the UK Department for Transport's report 'Green Light for Light Rail' and expressed hope that its findings could lead to swifter progress in developing the Edinburgh tram project.
The DfT's report is available here: <
http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/green-light-for-light-rail>.
Transform Scotland spokesperson Paul Tetlaw said:
"We welcome and fully endorse what Norman Baker has to say on light rail. Despite what people may have been led to believe following the impasse over completion of the Edinburgh tram scheme, trams are indeed good for passengers, good for local economics and good for the local environment."Perhaps we can now start to catch up other countries around the world who have been investing heavily in this transport mode over recent years. It is quite absurd that private utility companies should see major enhancements to their infrastructure at the expense of publicly funded light rail schemes. This is not the norm in other countries and this should be addressed as a matter of urgency."We wish Norman Baker well and hope that he continues to support light rail, in marked contrast to one of predecessors, Alistair Darling, who appeared to take delight in cancelling a number of well developed schemes."