Merseytram casts shadow over 800 homes and businesses
"Merseytravel remains committed to Merseytram and is working with our city region partners and other stakeholders towards securing the funding needed to make it a reality."
So said a Merseytravel spokesperson (gender unknown) this week in reference to its latest move in the Merseytram charade. Up to 800 householders and businesses along the Line One route have received letters telling them their properties may be subject to compulsory purchase orders (CPOs).
Presumably, they are not the "stakeholders" referred to in the statement above. They are more likely, to use a military euphemism, to be regarded as "collateral damage"...
But residents should not be alarmed, says Liverpool City Council Labour group leader and tram fan, Cllr Joe Anderson.
"They've done this to meet their statutory obligations but it does not mean anyone will be forced to give up their properties or not have the chance to raise objections," said Cllr Anderson.
Well that's ok then. Very reassuring. We might snatch your property, we might not - we haven't decided yet. But try not to lose too much sleep.
The arrogance of such an approach is staggering. Does Merseytravel and the tram's advocates consider no price too high for a project that we don't need anyway?
The current cost of this scheme is ã450m. That's about ã200m more than the original cost. Don't be surprised that if in the unlikely circumstance of the Government giving the go-ahead, this figure goes up again.
But that doesn't matter, it's only taxpayer's money. Doesn't matter how much it costs and how many people (might) have their properties taken away.
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Tony McDonough - is deputy business editor of the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo, covers business news and issues from across the Liverpool city region, with a particular interest in commercial property.
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