The Edinburgh Trams project team and contractors are making final preparations to install overhead and underground cabling for the city centre section of the tram line.

This final major piece of construction work requires significant access to the tram route.

As a result, existing work sites between Haymarket and the West End and at York Place will remain and will allow work to be finished shortly after the road works are completed.

During a series of night shifts, cables will be installed on Princes Street and on St. Andrew Square. It is expected the overhead cabling will start in mid June from York Place at Broughton St, and work west towards Haymarket.

The full programme, which includes underground cabling, is scheduled for completion in the Autumn.

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Transport Convener Lesley Hinds said: "Good progress continues all along the tram route and we're now approaching a stage, in the city centre, where road works are nearly finished. This will be a welcome sight to traders, residents and visitors to the area this summer.

"This cable installation programme is the final major piece in the construction jigsaw but it's a significant project which requires time. Contractors will carefully hang power wires overhead at the correct tension and they'll pull miles of power cables and communication lines through underground ducts.

"Once this is done we'll be closer to the rigorous testing phase which will fully prepare the system and the people of Edinburgh Trams for service next year."

At the same time as the cable installation process, contractors will also install underground cabling. These cables are pulled through pre-built ducts running between a network of manholes along the route. In addition to the underground transmission cables, there are a series of communication systems and other cables to be installed within the network of underground ducts which line the route.

This will begin once the road and track works are completed.

The project remains in line with the revised budget of £776m as approved by the Council in September 2011.

(JP/CD)