Journey of the city's mock tram pulls in punters

A REPLICA tram which has been touring Edinburgh to drum-up support for the embattled project has been visited by more than 130,000 people, it was revealed today.

The mock-up has been one of the city's most popular attractions since it went on view in Princes Street in February. Since then, it has spent time in Constitution Street and Ocean Terminal and is now outside the Caledonian Hotel.

It is expected that the life-size model will move to The Gyle before Christmas, meaning it will have covered just about every part of the tram route.

Mandy Haeburn-Little, director of communications and customer services for the tram project, said: "The mock-up has proven to be extremely popular and allows people to get a real idea for how the trams will look and feel.

"We're keen to work with businesses in the West End as we continue our work in this area. As with the other locations, we hope that the mock-up will attract people to this fantastic part of Edinburgh.

"The enthusiasm from those who have visited the mock-up tram vehicle has been extremely positive."

Work is currently underway on the tram depot at Gogar, which will eventually house the real trams once the project is up and running.

However, tram bosses have admitted the depot is nine months behind schedule and are currently in discussions with Transport for London about testing the vehicles on the Croydon tram system.

Traders in Leith have previously criticised the decision to base the model in Princes Street initially, depriving local business of a boost in visitor numbers.

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, the city's transport leader, said: "The tram mock-up has proved to be a real winner with the people of Edinburgh during its trip around the city, both in terms of the high level of interest generated and the positive feedback received."

Earlier this month the Evening News revealed that the official cost of the tram line had risen to an estimated £524.5 million. The £12m increase will be added to the bill along with whatever TIE has to pay out to the contractors it is currently in dispute with.

The news came after SNP MSP Shirley-Anne Somerville said sources close to the project had told her the final bill could reach £750m.

MORE DELAYS
THE FIRST phase of work on the tram route between Ocean Terminal and Newhaven will not be finished for another six months, despite already being a year late.

Tram firm TIE said utility diversion work would begin at the Forth Ports Estate on 9 November after being awarded to Farrans, a Northern Irish construction firm.

Steven Bell, the tram project director, said: "The Forth Ports work required a number of administrative details to be finalised and will begin on 9 November, running through until the projected end date of April of next year."