Cost consultant Turner & Townsend is being brought in by Edinburgh City Council to rescue its problematic tram project.

Transport Initiatives Edinburgh (TIE), the council-owned company set up to deliver major transport projects, is effectively being thrown off the job.

The Edinburgh tram project is over budget and behind schedule. Client and contractor Bilfinger Berger/Siemens are locked in mediation trying to resolve their disputes.

The council recently voted on whether to just scrap the whole thing, but decided to press one.

“To ensure effective oversight and delivery of the project going forwards” the council is engaging Turner & Townsend as project manager. The company’s tram and light rail experience includes systems in Nottingham, Dublin and Croydon.

More than half of TIE staff will be made redundant, with redundancy payments totalling £1.3m. The restructuring costs are expected to be worth it in the long run, the council said.

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