Responding tonews that, following defeat in the Parliament earlier today, theExecutive has agreed to give the go ahead to Edinburgh's trams Friendsof the Earth Scotland's Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren, said:

"Wewelcome the Executive's rapid about face on Edinburgh's trams. Havingagain received the backing of Parliament, it is only right that thescheme should be allowed to proceed. Ministers should no longer delayand immediately release the funds to allow construction of Edinburgh'stram scheme to begin.

"Towin the fight against climate change we need to invest in qualitylow-emission transport - trams, buses and trains - to get people out ofcars, and off planes. EARL - on the other hand - has a shaky businesscase, based on unsustainable growth in air travel, and should beditched."

"Ifthe Executive is really looking to save money and tackle climate changethen it should axe pollution-generating road building projects like theGlasgow M74 and Aberdeen bypass."

Ends

[1] Scotland's Transport Programme
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2007/06/27163204