Extensive daylight testing of trams in Edinburgh city centre is to begin this week, while 12km to the south the Borders Railway project has successfully installed a large new bridge.

Edinburgh City Council says that up until now trams have only been tested in the city centre during the night. It hopes to have the tram system open to the public by May.

Edinburgh Trams director Tom Norris said: "Our team have been training extremely hard and we are now ready to move into a phase where many more trams start to run along the route.”

The city council and Transport for Edinburgh have produced a series of safety videos as part of a campaign to help pedestrians, cyclists and motorists get used to the trams.

Transport Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council Lesley Hinds added: “Tram drivers need to get used to driving the tram alongside varying levels of traffic and different road conditions. Other road users should be aware to look and listen for trams sharing road space."

At the Borders Railway project to the south of Edinburgh a new 71.5m long bridge has been installed over Hardengreen roundabout between Eskbank and Newtongrange to accommodate trains. The bridge is formed of four concrete beams, each weighing 107t, which were lifted into place using a 1200t crane.

Contractor BAM's project director Nissar Mohammed said: “We are pleased to complete this installation but this bridge is just one of 37 which need to be completed before we can start laying railway later this year."

The 50km Border Railway Project involves rebuilding track between Edinburgh and Tweedbank and is set to open in 2015.

(Photo: Edinburgh City Council)

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