Outspoken trams critic set to get businesses back on track

HE has been at the vanguard of some of the toughest criticism dished out to the city's £512 million tram project in recent years.

But now Graham Russell – until recently chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for Edinburgh – is set to be appointed as the official champion for the areas worst hit by the tram works.

The Evening News has learned the role will attract a £30,000-a-year salary for a three-day week, and will be funded indirectly by tram firm TIE.

The champion role will last until the tram work is finished in 2011 and would see Mr Russell charged with coordinating efforts to encourage trade back to Leith and the West End, as well as ensuring the remaining tram work is completed as efficiently as possible.

Business groups today welcomed the move, but council chiefs insisted they still had to go through the proper recruitment process for the role.

Mr Russell said: "It is not official yet, but I am very much looking forward to being appointed and I look forward to what is a very exciting challenge.

"What we need to build is a legacy for both Leith and the West End which takes them beyond the tram project.

"I am not, and never will be, a servant to TIE or the council."

The money for the role is coming from the Open for Business campaign, which is promoting Edinburgh during the disruption.

The project was last week handed a £350,000 boost after traders failed to take up all of the £2m compensation payments available from TIE. The money will also pay for other initiatives, such as giving free parking in the evenings and on Saturday afternoons from November in a bid to boost city centre trade.

Gordon Burgess, chairman of the traders association for Leith Walk and Constitution Street, said: "This has the potential to make a big difference if it is done properly.

"I think they have got the right guy. Graham Russell has been working tirelessly for this area in recent years. We certainly need someone to be at the forefront of efforts to reinvigorate Leith because the tram works are having a huge impact on us."

City economic development leader Tom Buchanan said: " It is fairly obvious that Graham is good at championing causes from his work at the FSB and I think both communities will benefit from that."

However, Greg Ward, the council's head of economic development, said a thorough recruitment process still had to be completed.