In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Industrial action in Sheffield, a special travel offer on Tyne and Wear Metro for the return of the Great NorthRun and the opening of a new halt at Seaton Tramway.

The appointment of a Lead Engineer is set to help UKTram deliver on ambitious plans to boost the growth of light rail across the country.

With a wealth of engineering experience, including two decades working in light rail, Phillip Terry has joined the sector’s representative organisation and will be responsible for driving a series of key initiatives.

Phillip has joined UKTram from Nottingham Trams Limited, where he held the position of Technical Support Manager.

His broad experience will prove invaluable as the organisation forges closer partnerships with stakeholders to support innovation, share best practice and explore new technology that will ultimately help remove the barriers to sector expansion.

For the full story, click here.

In other light rail news:

Edinburgh Trams

Visitors planning a short break in Edinburgh to make the most of this year’s festival season needn’t worry about getting to and from its many venues and attractions thanks to the city’s tram operator.

Families and small groups travelling together can take advantage of a wide range of ticket options, including money-saving, multi-day tickets.

Allowing unlimited travel in the City Zone, which covers all stops between InglistonPark and Ride and St Andrew Square, a three-day adult ticket costs only £9 and further information can be found here.

Sheffield Supertram

Due to industrial action being taken by a number of Network Rail staff, is currently unable to operate its normal timetable.

The disruption started yesterday (Thursday, August 18) and will continue into the weekend.

Tram Train services that are unable to serve Rotherham and Parkgate are operatingas additional services between Meadowhall Interchange and Cathedral on the Yellow route and further details can be found here.

Tyne & Wear Metro  

Great North Runners and spectators can this year use one ticket to travel on all Metro, bus and ferry services around the event.

After three years of pandemic related cancellations and changes, the Great North Run is returning to South Shields in September for the first time since 2019.  

This year a special £6 Great North Run Rover ticket will let runners and spectators travel on all Metro, bus and Shields Ferry services on Sunday, 11 September, including express shuttle buses from South Shields seafront direct to Newcastle.

For further information on the offer, click here.

Heritage

A new halt at Seaton Tramway has opened, providing undiscovered access for all to the award-winning Seaton Wetlands nature reserve.
Funded by Seaton Tramway through its ‘Travel’s Through the Axe Valley & Heritage’ project, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Fine Family Foundation, the £120k project to deliver a new tram halt is a partnership project between Seaton Tramway, East Devon District Council and the Burgesses of Colyford.
The new halt gives visitors the chance to explore Seaton Wetlands, providing views never seen before across the salt marshes of Colyford Common and you can read the full story here.

To be included in the next round-up, or the Members News section of the UKTram website, send your press releases to info@uktram.org.