Look, we're making tracks at last in the capital's tram saga

TRAM tracks returned to Princes Street yesterday after a gap of 53 years in the first tangible sign that the capital's new transport network is at last on its way.

The rails were lifted into place in a process which will continue until the road reopens to traffic in November.

However, people will be able to walk over the newly-laid tracks from next month when the first section of the road is reopened to pedestrians.

Tram chiefs, who claim that such visible progress will turn around negative public opinion, hailed the new development as a "significant" step forward.

The 12-mile Edinburgh Airport-Newhaven line, which is currently expected to cost up to £545 million, is due to open in about two-and-a-half years' time.

Construction work in Princes Street got under way in earnest in March following a dispute with contractors over late-running preliminary work to move underground pipes and cables.

Steven Bell, the tram project director, said: "This is a very significant day for us. There is now tangible evidence of track laying – people will be able to see sleepers and rails being laid this week as we work along Princes Street."

Mr Bell said the work, which has started just east of the South Charlotte Street junction, would continue east, reaching the Mound junction by next month.

Once track-laying has been completed over each stretch, at least half the width of Princes Street will be reopened for pedestrians – currently confined to narrowed pavements on the shops side.

This will include the area covered by at least one of the two tram tracks in the centre of the street, but a corridor on the gardens side will remain closed for works access.

Mr Bell said the work would also include rebuilding the rest of the surface of Princes Street – whose remaining one lane in each direction will be for buses – for the first time in years.

Gordon Mackenzie, the city council's new transport convener, said evidence on the ground of the tram line would help boost public support.

He said: "This is a really positive day for the project. Even cynical politicians get enthusiastic when you see things like this. This is proof things are taking shape. Like everyone else, you see holes getting dug in the road and really want to see signs of progress. Today is a relief."

However, Mr Mackenzie, who replaced the widely criticised Phil Wheeler last month, admitted it would take time to improve the project's popularity.

Critics have questioned its cost and the disruption caused by its works to the city centre.

Mr Mackenzie said: "There will be a gradual process, and the laying of tram tracks is part of that. It will give some comfort for those adversely affected by the works going on.

"People are very happy with the concept of trams. By and large, they feel Edinburgh does need to have better transport, and that the tram is definitely going to offer that."

Mr Mackenzie said people had complained about the roadworks disruption caused by the trams, which they blamed on the utilities diversion work, which had still to be completed. But, he added, the council had "eased off" on roadworks elsewhere in the city to compensate.

Richard Jeffrey, the chief executive of council-owned tram developers TIE – the former Transport Initiatives Edinburgh – told The Scotsman last month that public opinion would swing behind the scheme as work progressed.

He said: "This will lead to a much more positive environment. I'm confident there will be an overall shift in public opinion this year."

Reading between the lines

RATHER than simply laying rails on roads, building a tram line involves a multi-layered design below the tracks.

The first section of line to be constructed, in Princes Street, has its foundations more than two feet below the surface of the road.

A thin layer of base concrete is overlaid with further concrete, wire mesh and then sleepers, on which the rails lie.

Once all the parts are in place, more concrete is poured in to fix the sleepers in place.

An official ceremony is planned in a few weeks' time, to mark the completion of this process on the first stretch of track.

The work is being done by Bam Rail, sub-contractor of Siemens, which forms part of the construction consortium building the tram line. Separate firms are moving underground cables and pipes in advance of construction work, and building the trams.