Welcome to Scotland ... in the rain 07 | 03 | 2011

EDINBURGH TRAM bosses were today having to deal with a barrage of criticism following the release of the designs for its ticket office and tram stop at Edinburgh Airport. The new design by tram firm TIE shows a facility which is totally open to the elements leaving the queueing visitors unprotected from the weather.

Heritage group the Cockburn Association says the plans, are "hardly adequate as the main welcoming experience for overseas visitors" coming to Scotland.

The design does beggar belief. Consider this; you've just stepped off a flight into Scotland for a holiday, you've two young kids, plus your baggage; you step out the terminal building having been told you need to go to the ticket office to purchase your tram ticket; and your first experience of Scotland is standing outside in the icy cold with the horizontal sleet blowing into your face! No, not the ideal first impression.

And this will come as no surprise either. Despite all the criticism not to make the tram stop fully enclosed, council planning officials have recommended the proposals are given the go-ahead.

Edinburgh councillors who sit on the planning committee will make a final decision at a meeting on Wednesday.

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