New Zealand / Regional

Christchurch tram back to full city loop

11:19 am on 8 November 2014

Christchurch's tram will start making a full loop of the central city from today for the first time since the February 2011 earthquake.

The tram started operating on a shortened route from the museum to New Regent Street via Cathedral Square a year ago, but had been unable to complete a circuit of the town centre due to ongoing earthquake repairs.

The tram's operator, Michael Esposito, said there had been a number of hurdles to getting the full circuit back running.

"We thought we'd be up and running March, and then July," he said.

"There's been a lot of roadworks down Armagh Street - a new sewer pipe is going in and that's been the biggest hold-up.

Armagh Street Bridge has been re-strengthened and that has just finished over the last couple of weeks as well, but we're all set to go."

Mr Esposito said he was hoping to have the tram travelling along Oxford Terrace and Cashel Mall by February.