Video: Edinburgh trams are tested at full speed

Published on 20/12/2012 08:12

THE Capital’s trams are today being tested at full speed for the first time.

A tram is being put through its paces at up to 70km per hour on a stretch of track at Ingliston, as the track and vehicles undergo some of their most demanding tests yet.

The tram has run on the stretch between Edinburgh Airport and the tram depot at Gogar, but at lower speeds.

The runs and system tests are the final part of the development of this section of the route.

The tests are being monitored by transport convener Lesley Hinds and Scottish transport minister, Keith Brown.

The tram system will eventually run 18.3 miles from Edinburgh Airport to York Place.

Overhead power lines between the airport and Gogar, 2.8km away, were electrified last month, meaning that section of line is ready for full-scale tests.

If all goes well, the stretch will be the first major section of the tram line to be completed.

It will then be handed over by the contractors to the city council in March, a clear sign that the troubled project is on track for completion in the summer of 2014.

The project is hugely over its initial budget and years behind schedule. The revised budget for the single tram line is 
£776 million.

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