Tram contractors not living up to spirit or substance of contract

Dumfries Liberal Democrats <tom@therussells.org.uk>

Tram contractors not living up to spirit or substance of contract - Smith

August 14, 2009 4:23 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Commenting on the ongoing dispute over the tram project in Edinburgh, Liberal Democrat Edinburgh West MSP Margaret Smith said:

"I fully support the legal action taken against the contractors by Edinburgh City Council.

"The contractors are clearly not living up the spirit, never mind the substance of the contract. There is a danger that public confidence could be completely shattered if the ongoing problems are not resolved as quickly as possible.

"Bilfinger Berger has held the city to ransom over the works on Princes Street and now it looks like they have once again put a gun to the head of the Council over Shandwick Place.

"It is my understanding that Bilfinger Berger are considering bidding for the contract for the new Forth Crossing in what will be Scotland's largest ever engineering project. As far as I am concerned their track record should mean that any bid they make should be dead in the water.

"I will seek an urgent meeting with Ministers to see what assistance they can give in order to send a clear message to Bilfinger Berger that past performance will be examined before awarding any future contracts.

"Irrespective of its views on the tram project, the Scottish Government must make it quite clear that when it comes to taxpayers' money it will not be held to ransom."

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