All aboard for a look at Edinburgh's first tram

EDINBURGH'S first new tram opens to the public today – but it will be going nowhere for at least two years.

City council leader Jenny Dawe yesterday described the arrival of the 143ft vehicle – the length of three buses – as a "milestone" in the tram project.

However, a dispute over completing street sections of the Edinburgh airport-Newhaven route has delayed its completion to 2012, and this is expected to be further postponed to 2013 – or even 2014.

The Spanish-built tram, which includes leather seats and interior display screens, will be open from 11am-6pm daily at what will become the Princes Street tram stop, between the Mound and Frederick Street.

Ms Dawe said: "It's an absolutely outstanding piece of engineering, fits perfectly with Princes Street and brings the time when we get trams moving a little bit nearer."