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SNP government receives audit report |
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Wednesday, 20 June 2007 |
Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth John Swinney has revealed that he will report to Parliament next Wednesday on the content of Audit Scotland's review of the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link and trams projects.
The Minister thanked Audit Scotland for its work on the report –
produced in a relatively short space of time – and said that the
document raised some serious concerns about governance and development
issues, particularly in relation to the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link.
He said that this vindicated his decision to seek further scrutiny of
the projects the new government inherited and provides further
assessment on which decisions can be made.
"We are assessing the full range of transport projects we have
inherited and I want to consider the findings of this report in the
context of value for money and affordability.
"I have already committed to come back to parliament to present the
outcome of our assessment of the projects and I will do that next
Wednesday."
Labour shadow transport spokesman Des McNulty said that the report
showed that Alex Salmond’s claims that project costs were out of
control were "unfounded".
"I hope SNP Ministers will drop their ideological opposition to these
schemes and focus now on the transport and value for money case.”
"Audit Scotland has given the trams project a clean bill of health.
Their report suggests that cost estimates were robustly tested and the
key elements are in place to manage delivery.
"The biggest risk, therefore, is any continued procrastination by
Scottish Executive ministers. This project would cost over £100 million
to cancel and on the basis of what Audit Scotland has said there is no
justification whatever now for not proceeding."
In relation to the Edinburgh Airport Rail Link, McNulty said: "Audit
Scotland’s report suggests that the benefit/cost ratio for the EARL
project is high and that it would improve rail connectivity throughout
central Scotland. Not proceeding with EARL would put in doubt other
public transport projects with a weaker business case.
"The report has identified a number of management issues, the most
crucial of which are to do with the management and financing of risk
and the commitment of key stakeholders
"It is ministers’ responsibility to ensure that these are resolved, in order that the project can be taken forward.”
The Green Party also responded to the report, with co-convener Robin
Harper stating: "The review concurs with our own conclusions. The trams
project for Edinburgh is the right choice, a good deal for the taxpayer
and for the environment.
"The Airport Rail Link is the wrong option, poor value for money and is
not environmentally sustainable. If the climate change costs were also
considered I have no doubt that the same conclusion would be drawn.
Trams are a step forward, EARL is a step back. It is vital that we get
decisions on major infrastructure right.
"Scotland's rail network is in desperate need of major investment, but
the unnecessary airport rail link diverts massive amounts of public
money from urgent improvements needed elsewhere."
Read the Audit Scotland report in full
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