A MUSSELBURGH businessman has backed plans to extend Edinburgh’s trams to the town and called on East Lothian Council to investigate it further.

Calum Miller, who runs IT firm Millersoft Ltd, believes the proposal, which is included in the South East Scotland Strategic Development plan, should be looked at in more detail.

And he criticised Musselburgh Councillor Stuart Currie, leader of the council’s SNP opposition, and others who dismissed the proposal when it came before the local authority last week.

Mr Miller said: “East Lothian Council should go forward with a feasibility study. The trams would not have to go through Musselburgh High Street, they could go over the Electricity Bridge.

“Why stop at Musselburgh? They could be taken up to Wallyford and on to Tranent.

“I am astounded Councillor Currie dismissed the idea, which could ease the congestion and air pollution, which is a major issue in Musselburgh.” Mr Miller, who has been publicly critical of opposition to Scottish Enterprise’s marine energy park proposals, which were withdrawn in the face of protest action, added: “We are getting a reputation as anti-progress and that is quite dangerous.” Mr Currie stood by his views on the trams, pointing to the difficulties that were involved in introducing them in Edinburgh and the costs.

He said East Lothian Council could not afford to pay for the trams, making a study into the feasibility of the project unrealistic.

Councillor Currie said: “The suggestion that taxpayers should even consider spending around £200 million on trams in East Lothian is just not sensible. That is the entire East Lothian Council budget for a whole year.

“The electric bridge is only used on specific days because it is not up to modern standards for traffic, so how on earth could trams even be considered?”