CITY leaders are set to appoint a new official to monitor the relationship between tram company TIE and the council.
The recommendation is part of a new report on the city's tram scheme that shows the £498 million project is still on schedule and seeks the approval for contracts to be signed.
The report asks for the full council's permission to enter into contr
acts with preferred bidder BBS, which will build the tram line, and CAF, which will supply the tram cars.
If the move wins, as expected, the approval of the full council on Thursday then contracts would be signed next month and work on building the tracks would get underway in February.
Councillor Phil Wheeler, the city's transport leader, said: "This report gives councillors and the city confidence to proceed with creating Edinburgh's tram network. The costings continue to be affordable, the business case is good and we have a superb team on board to deliver this major project for our city.
"Subject to the approval of full council, we will formally be able to award the contract to the world-class company who are installing the tracks, stops and lines.
"This takes us yet another step closer to a modern, clean and efficient transport system."
The full article contains 216 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
