In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Tram manager to sleep rough for charity, arrests on Manchester Metrolink, industrial action impacts on Tram Train timetable in Sheffield and Trams to Newhaven project prepares for electrification.
A bold and ambitious strategy for the future of light rail in the UK has been hailed as the ‘Vision of the Year’ at a prestigious industry awards event in London this week.
Published by UKTram, the strategy was recognised in one of the top categories at the Global Light Rail Awards, as reported here.
Drawing on expertise from across light rail the strategy document can be downloaded here, and builds a compelling case for investment in tramways and similar transit systems while highlighting the benefits that existing networks already deliver. A video to accompany the strategy can also be viewed here.
Other winners at the awards included NET, Manchester Metrolink and Edinburgh Trams and more details can be found on Twitter @MainspringUK.
In other light rail news:
NET
Nottingham’s tram network is stepping up its support for some of the most vulnerable people in the communities it serves by backing an initiative highlighting the plight of rough sleepers.
As the dark nights draw in and the temperatures drop, Commercial Manager Chris Williams will be joining volunteers and supporters of the charity Framework for a ‘Big Sleep Out’ at Nottingham Racecourse.
The event on Saturday, October 15 also aims to raise money for Framework, a charity that supports the homeless in Nottinghamshire and has plans to build 200 new homes over the next five years. For the full story, click here.
Sheffield Supertram
A nationwide rail strike will see a revised Tram Train timetable in operation tomorrow (Saturday, October 8).
Two services an hour will operate between 07:27 and 17:27 from Cathedral to Parkgate and from 07:59 to 17:59 from Parkgate to Cathedral. At other times, Tram Train services will operate between Cathedral and Meadowhall Interchange only.
At times when Tram Train services are unable to serve Rotherham and Parkgate in full, valid tram tickets will be accepted on First and Stagecoach bus services in the affected areas and more details can be found here.
Manchester Metrolink
The results are in for Greater Manchester Police’s two-day Operation Avro crackdown to make Greater Manchester’s transport network safer.
Alongside the TravelSafe Partnership, GMP officers made 41 arrests, carried out 69 stop searches, and recorded 406 traffic offences and 530 speed offences.
Around 1,500 Metrolink fines were also issued for fare evasion as part of targeted deployments across the tram network and you can read the full story here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
Young people who have recently left local authority care in Newcastle and Gateshead are to be offered free travel on the local bus and Metro network to help give them the best start to adult life.
The pilot scheme, the first of its kind in the country, is a partnership between Newcastle City Council, Gateshead Council, Nexus and bus operators, with funding from the NHS’s North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board.
Providing free transport is a major contribution to tackling poverty among young people new to living independently, and is the latest commitment to Newcastle’s recently launched Evry plan and the full story can be found here.
Extension Projects
The final sections of Trams to Newhaven track are soon to be laid as the project prepares for the electrification of the full line.
Energisation of newly installed overhead lines during November and December will allow a testing and commissioning period to begin at the start of 2023.
Two final concrete pours took place this week at Rennie’s Isle and Melrose Drive. The Rennie’s Isle pour will be the longest on the project (170m) and once completed track will be laid from Picardy Place to Newhaven.
This will leave only a small section at York Place to link the existing line with the new track, as reported here.
LRSSB
The organisation responsible for light rail safety has released a new animated video urging pedestrians to take extra care around tramways as dark nights start to draw in.
The latest ‘be SMART around Trams’ video has been released ahead of the clocks going back later this month and uses eye catching graphics that operators can use to complement their own safety campaigns.
Previous videos in the ‘be SMART’ series have proved hugely popular with safety professionals from across the sector who have used them as part of presentations to schools and other community groups, as well as on their own websites.
Produced on behalf of the LRSSB by Midlands-based agency Creative Star, the full series of videos can be viewed here and can be downloaded by LRSSB members.
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.