The City of Edinburgh Council has shortlisted four bidders for its £165 million tram line extension project.

The firms have pre-qualified to be invited to tender for the scheme in mid-April 2018, including the design and construction of all track, overhead line, tram stops, systems infrastructure, road infrastructure and public realm between York Place and Newhaven.

The shortlisted firms are;

• BAM Colas Rail JV

• Dragados

• Farrans Sacyr Neopul JV

• Sisk Steconfer JV

Following the tender period, the council will update the Final Business Case and seek an approval decision in late 2018. If given the go-ahead, it is expected the contract will be signed in late 2018 with the line between York Place and Newhaven due to become operational in 2022.

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Cllr Lesley Macinnes said: "When the Outline Business Case was approved by Council in September 2017 we pledged to test the OBC with a robust procurement process before reporting back with the Final Business Case. Our project team - the same team who successfully delivered the tram to York Place following mediation - has worked very closely with the market over the past 18 months, developing a contract strategy that meets market expectations and the requirements of the Council.

"We were very pleased with the significant level of interest from local, national and international bidders and this process has resulted in a strong shortlist of experienced design and build contractors as we move on to the tender stage."

(LM)