Construction on Edinburgh's tram extension to start next month

Details on the works have been revealed

Author: John CallanPublished 10th Oct 2019

Construction work on Edinburgh's tram extension will begin next month.

Edinburgh Council has revealed details on the scheduled work for the project, which will see the end of the line taken from York Place to Newhaven.

The project to build the original line was plagued by delays, disruption and over-spending, but bosses insist there won't be a repeat.

A map with a schedule of the works has been published to help residents and businesses prepare.

Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: "The past six months have been invaluable in allowing the project team to work hand in hand with our contractors to put the designs and construction programme through their paces so that we're in the best possible position to get started next month.

"Now that we've finalised the plans, we're pressing ahead with getting everything ready to begin the first phase of work in Constitution Street alongside enabling works on Leith Walk.

"Given Leith is one of Scotland’s richest sites for urban archaeology, particularly Constitution Street, it’s key that we allow ample time for this aspect of work to get under way.

"Throughout this whole process, we've taken a robust, prudent, open and transparent approach, keeping residents and businesses fully informed at every stage and incorporating their feedback directly into the plans so that they are truly community-based.

"The project's independent adviser praised our plans as the most closely scrutinised he had ever come across in decades of work in the light rail industry, while community council leaders welcomed our work to involve and engage with communities along the route. We're hugely grateful to everyone for their contributions."

Passenger services are due to begin in Spring 2023, with the project budget set at £207.3m.

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