Recent figures suggest it would cost more money to scrap plans for the Edinburgh trams than to continue with the project.

This seems like one of those ridiculous situations that fail to make sense to anyone not directly involved.

The project has proved more expensive and lengthy than first predicted due to a contractual dispute. But a dispute worth £155 million? That is a hefty sum to pay for a difference of opinion.

Costs may have been underestimated or inflated to influence councillors’ decisions on whether to push for completion or scrap the project.

The fact remains that this is a very expensive mess and either way the decision will have significant consequences on the city.