Press Release

SMITH AMENDMENTS BRING SOME COMFORT

29/3/06

Margaret Smith, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, has succeeded in her attempt to amend the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill. The Bill was debated at its third and final stage today in the Scottish Parliament, where MSPs voted in support of two of Ms Smith’s proposed changes.

Ms Smith said:

“I am delighted that the Parliament has voted in favour of my amendments. The changes that I have secured will mean that the tram’s authorised “undertaker” will be compelled, after consulting with the Council, to draw up a scheme to provide grants towards the cost of insulating buildings against noise caused, or expected to be caused, by the new trams.

“As the bill previously stood, this was something that the undertaker could do. Now it is something that they must do.

“I am disappointed by the rejection of my amendment to bring down the level of average and peak night time noise at which insulation would become available. I think that this would have been of real benefit to many of my constituents.

“I am also disappointed that the route of Tram Line One will not include the Western General Hospital. Eighteen MSPs joined me in voting for my amendment that made clear my view that this is a missed opportunity. Ultimately, the majority of members voted against this position.

“Throughout this Bill’s parliamentary process I have always said that I am in favour of a tram network for Edinburgh, in principle, and that is why I supported the bill in the final vote today. Despite my reservations about some of the particulars of the proposed route, we must all now work together to ensure as effective a tram service as possible for the benefit of Edinburgh residents and businesses alike.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

Amendments 10 and 11 (below) were accepted by the Parliament. The additional amendments were rejected. All proposed amendments were to the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill, as amended at Committee stage. It can be found at:
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/tram-one-bill/index.htm

Margaret Smith
10 In section 61, page 31, line 25, leave out <may> and insert <shall>

Margaret Smith
11 In section 61, page 31, line 29, leave out <may> and insert <shall>

Margaret Smith
*13 In section 63A, page 33, line 23, at end insert—
< (A1) The authorised undertaker shall amend the Noise and Vibration Policy dated March
2006 to provide that noise insulation shall be provided for any residential property
where—
(a) noise caused by the use of the tram system reaches LAeq 2200-0700 hours 60 dB, or
(b) the tram free-field level exceeds LAmax, slow 70 dB more than twice an hour during
night time.>

Margaret Smith
14 In section 63A, page 33, line 23, at end insert—
< (F1) The authorised undertaker shall amend the Noise and Vibration Policy dated March
2006 to provide that “night” and “night time” mean the hours between 2200 and 0700
hours.>

Margaret Smith
17 In section 63A, page 33, line 40, at end insert <as amended in order to comply with subsection
(F1).>

Margaret Smith
18 In section 63A, page 33, line 40, at end insert <as amended in order to comply with subsection
(A1) and (F1).>