Leith Walk tram tracks to be laid

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Work to lay Edinburgh's tram tracks starts on Monday as pavements and kerbs are moved to make way for the new infrastructure.

Tram developer, Tie, said Leith Walk would be the first part of the capital to see the tracks put in place.

It will give residents the first taste of how the network will look when trams are reintroduced to Edinburgh in 2011.

The new phase follows a series of utility diversions and enabling works, which began in June 2007.

Now the preparatory work is near completion across the city, the construction of the scheme's infrastructure is to start.

The work will be done in 200m sections, firstly to widen the road and then to lay the tracks.

The creation of the first section of the new route will be a great moment in the city's history Willie GallagherTie

Officials have promised a carefully designed system of traffic management throughout the work to "ensure the free flow of traffic and the safety of road users and pedestrians".

Willie Gallagher, executive chairman of Tie, said: said: "We've reached a hugely significant part of the construction of Edinburgh's tram network.

"The work commencing on Leith Walk will give people a real feel as to how the tram system will look and fit into Edinburgh's streets.

"Until this point, the majority of the work has taken place below the road's surface, where we have been working hard to relocate utilities and to prepare the route.

He said the tracks on Leith Walk would be the "first visual evidence" of the progress made since the start of the project.

"The creation of the first section of the new route will be a great moment in the city's history and so it is fitting that it should take place in such an historical artery of Edinburgh," he added.

"As with all stages of the project, we will endeavour to minimise any disruption created by the work and we will be working hard to meet the needs of local businesses and residents as the work progresses."