Approval has been granted for a second Metrolink tram route through the centre of Manchester. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin signed off an application from Transport for Greater Manchester to build and operate the new line earlier this week.

The new route will take in St Peter's Square, Princess Street, Cross Street and Corporation Street. It will join the existing Metrolink line just outside Victoria station.

A larger tram stop is to be built in St Peter’s Square and a new stop in Exchange Square, one of the city’s main retail and leisure areas.

North of the border, testing of trams began yesterday (Tuesday) in Edinburgh ahead of full route testing in December and start of services, hoped to be next May.

Tram testing is taking place between Gogar depot to the west of the city and Edinburgh Park Station. Trams will cross roads at two locations; Lochside Avenue and South Gyle Broadway, where traffic lights and pedestrian crossings will be in operation.

Edinburgh City Council's transport convener Lesley Hinds said: “This is another significant step in the tram project and moves us closer towards completion." Later this year the Council will launch a city wide safety and awareness campaign.

Last month traffic returned to York Place in central Edinburgh after more than a year following the installation of new tram infrastructure. The long awaited and delayed tram scheme was originally due to open in February 2011.

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