First tram tracks to be laid in 2 months

THE first tangible signs of a tram line returning to Edinburgh after a gap of nearly 53 years will come in two months, when track laying starts in Princes Street, The Scotsman has learned.

TIE, the city council's tram firm, said rails would be laid down the centre of the street from early June, following preparation work that got under way last month. The rails, overhead power lines and a tram stop between Castle Street and Frederick Street are due to be completed by November.

Work resumed two weeks ago, after the resolution of a month-long dispute between TIE and a consortium of construction firms, led by Bilfinger Berger.

TIE said the work was less than two weeks behind schedule because preliminary work had continued during the wrangle. However, separate work to move underground pipes and cables is running six months late. It is due to be finished this summer.

Trams are expected to operate on the £512 million line between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven from July 2011.

The last service ran on the city's old tram network in November 1956.