SIEMENS has won the contract to provide equipment for the first extension of the Edinburgh Trams line from York Place in the city centre to Leith and Newhaven.

The 4.69km route was part of the original three-line plan for the network, which was drastically cut back after costs rose and a dispute flared between Edinburgh City Council and the original contractors, leaving one surviving section between York Place, Haymarket and Edinburgh airport, which opened in 2014.

Siemens will supply computer systems, telecoms and traffic lights. New installations or modifications will be needed at 30 road junctions along the route, including the addition of new tram signals.

Siemens will be working in partnership with the main contractor, a joint venture between Sacryr, Farrans and Neopu. The double track line will have eight stops and two substations.

Siemens Mobility CEO William Wilson said: ‘It will make a significant contribution to the continued regeneration of parts of the city, as well as supporting the City Council’s decarbonisation strategy and its commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030.’