Qualified Project Management
In recognition of the various difficulties likely to be experienced in the design and construction of a light rail project through a city centre, the promoter and owner of the project should appoint as its procurement and project manager a company with suitably qualified and experienced permanent employees that has delivered a similar project successfully on time and within budget or can demonstrate that it will be able to do so.
- In a subsequent Council committee report (16 November 2023), the Council noted that the Trams to Newhaven project had demonstrated improved procurement and project management practices (City of Edinburgh Council Committee Report, 16 November 2023).
- No published formal framework requiring appointment of experienced permanent employees for light rail project management has been identified to March 2026.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedCouncil Leader Cammy Day stated: 'We know that serious mistakes were made in the construction of the original tram line, which caused a great deal of disruption and concern for residents and businesses, as well as impacting the Council's reputation. Once again, I want to apologise for this.' The Council broadly agrees with Lord Hardie's recommendations but notes that since the original tram project, several processes and strategies have been put in place which helped successfully deliver the Trams to Newhaven line. The Council has not published a formal detailed response to individual recommendations. Source: Council news release, 2 November 2023.
The Inquiry Report highlights a number of instances where there was insufficient experience in delivery to give assurance that the project would be properly managed. The procurement and project management of a project is key to success and demonstrable experience should be secured as part of light rail delivery. It is recommended that the Council should adopt this Recommendation. Source: Chief Executive's report to Transport and Environment Committee, 16 November 2023. Note: City of Edinburgh Council statuses are drawn from the Chief Executive's report to the Transport and Environment Committee (16 November 2023), referred to the full Council on 14 December 2023. This report appears to have been formally adopted but independent confirmation has not been obtained.
Progress Timeline
Initial status based on Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council responses to the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry Report (September 2023).