Edinburgh trams still on course for summer 2014 service

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Construction of Edinburgh’s new tram system is on target to meet its summer 2014 deadline, the city council has announced.

The City of Edinburgh Council has published a new report which states that the project is in line with a revised budget of £776 million and is on course to meet its summer 2014 deadline.

Project delays have pushed back the start of service on the line from the original scheduled opening of February 2011.

The projected cost of the new network has also increased. In September 2011, the budget was revised up from £545 million and to date £669 million has been spent on the project.

Transport Convener Lesley Hinds said: “We’ve always said that we’ll be open and transparent about the tram project and this latest report provides more detailed information on the current budgets. In future we’ll use a set format for presenting this financial information so it’s easy to interpret and to compare with previous reports.

“I’ve also stressed to officers that budget savings should always be a key focus in the management of this project. Good progress has been made since the revised programme began and everyone involved is determined for this to continue.”

It is anticipated that full route tram testing will take place from Edinburgh Airport to York Place in late spring 2014.

Overhead power lines between the tram depot at Gogar Castle Road and Edinburgh Airport are due to go live from November 26, allowing the tram system to be tested and commissioned.

Another progress report will be presented to the council early in 2013.

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