AFTER years of delays, disputes and rising costs, trams finally began rolling along the tracks in Edinburgh last night for the first time.

However, unfortunately for the capital's long-suffering residents, it was only a trial run.

The trams were tested behind closed doors in what has been hailed by the city's transport convener as a "welcome boost" for the crisis-riddled project.

A 500m test track at the network's Gogar depot, which will ultimately form part of the route, is being used to test the trams at speeds of up to 30mph before they are brought into service.

The network is scheduled to open in summer 2014.

However, unfortunately for the capital's long-suffering residents, it was only a trial run.

The trams were tested behind closed doors in what has been hailed by the city's transport convener as a "welcome boost" for the crisis-riddled project.

A 500m test track at the network's Gogar depot, which will ultimately form part of the route, is being used to test the trams at speeds of up to 30mph before they are brought into service.

The network is scheduled to open in summer 2014.

Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, transport convener for City of Edinburgh Council, was invited to the depot last night to witness testing first hand.

He said: "With work progressing along the length of the route from next month, there is little doubt the project has gained momentum in recent weeks. I'm sure the first sight of trams being tested will come as a welcome boost to the people of Edinburgh – as it has for me today."

Static testing has been ongoing on the five trams currently housed inside the depot since the first of the vehicles was delivered on October 17.

The remainder of the 27-strong fleet will be delivered in stages over the course of 2012.

The council officially takes control of the depot building later this week following an event to mark the handover on Thursday.

Council officials have spoken of their optimism about avoiding further delays and cost overruns on the beleaguered project, which has seen a two-year feud with contractors and the project's budget rise from £545 million to £776m as its route was truncated.

The local authority has now taken over control from its own arm's-length company, Tie.

Dave Anderson, director of city development at City of Edinburgh Council, said last month the project had been given "fresh momentum" following the change in control.

City of Edinburgh Council has said it is confident of hitting its revised deadline of completion by summer 2014 – three years later than originally planned.

However, motorists and commuters in the capital will face new disruption in January when the project enters a critical phase.

Contractors will return to Shandwick Place and St Andrew Square to begin work on the route which is expected to last throughout 2012.

St Andrew Street, near Waverley Station and Edinburgh's bus interchange, will be closed to traffic on January 7 until the end of 2012, while Shandwick Place, west of the city centre, will be closed a week later, with work due to be completed by spring 2013.

Traffic diversions to accommodate the work are expected to cause delays of up to 10 minutes for those travelling across Edinburgh. The biggest traffic bottleneck is expected to form on Princes Street next to Waverley Station where up to 300 buses an hour will be squeezed from the usual four lanes into just one.

As part of its plans to minimise traffic disruption, the council has laid on two tow trucks which will be placed around the corner on North St David Street to deal with any bus breakdowns.

However, the project has not been allowed to interfere with the busy Christmas shopping period, with work suspended on Princes Street for the whole of the festive period to allow pedestrian access.