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Light Rail news roundup 24th February 2023 Friday February 24, 2023

In this week’s news from the light rail sector – West Midlands Metro votes for a charity of the year, NET teams up with community group, Crich prepares for the summer season and campaign targets anti-social behaviour in Greater Manchester. 

UKTram

The increased risks to light rail operations from cyber-attacks and similar IT threats have been highlighted during recent presentations by the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) to senior sector professionals.

Over the past few months, UKTram has been working with the ORR to raise awareness of the importance of cyber security and the measures needed to protect against a range of criminal activities designed to disable computer systems or steal data.

With their complex IT infrastructure, transport networks provide a tempting target for both hostile foreign agents and criminal gangs and you can read more here.

In other light rail news: 

West Midlands Metro

 

A leading cancer charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, is set to receive a welcome boost from the West Midlands Metro team as it has been voted their ‘Charity of the Year’.

In the past the network has supported a wide range of local and national appeals, but more recently it has focused its fundraising activity around just one charity at a time, voted for by the team.

In 2022 it raised an amazing total of just over £1,000 for Wolverhampton-based Compton Care, and you can read the full story here. 

NET

The operator of Nottingham’s popular tram network has joined forces with a local community group to deliver a powerful safety message aimed at local youngsters.

Through community outreach, activities and mentoring, The Pythian Club has found an innovative and effective way of engaging with young people and is working with NET to help tackle anti-social behaviour around the tram network, and in the communities it serves.

Now the relationship has been taken to the next level with a series of joint presentations in local schools that highlight the impact of such activity on other members of the travelling public and those working on the tramway. Click here to read more.

Edinburgh Trams

Following the successful completion of works to connect the new overhead power lines to the existing system, wires on the Trams to Newhaven project are now live.

Edinburgh Trams is due to start intensive testing on the new line ahead of the launch of services to Newhaven in spring this year, and anyone who plans to carry out works near the tramway is required to obtain prior permission.

An ‘Authority to Work’ (ATW) permit is issued by the city’s trams to ensure safe working practices and its infrastructure, and you can read more about the process here.

Manchester Metrolink

People with first-hand experience of antisocial behaviour are at the centre of a new campaign aiming to improve safety on public transport in Greater Manchester.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has launched the next phase of their youth-facing antisocial behaviour campaign, to support ongoing efforts by the TravelSafe Partnership (TSP) to help all passengers feel safe whilst travelling on public transport.

Adopting an innovative approach alongside charity Foundation 92, the Better Than That campaign is tackling youth-related antisocial behaviour head on by talking directly to youngsters and urging them to think about how their actions can affect others. To read the full story, click here.

Tyne & Wear Metro

The steel frame depicting the outline of a stunning new entrance to Sunderland train station has become the latest addition to the city’s skyline.

Delivering a light, bright and airy welcome to Sunderland, the £26 million project is part of a wider £100 million plan to transform the transport hub. The full entrance shell is expected to be completed by the end of March, once the roof and walling systems have been installed, marking the next major milestone in the redevelopment of the city’s main transport hub.

The glazed statement entrance, which will overlook Market Square, features a large glass wrap around design, and you can read more here.

Heritage

The Crich Tramway Village workshop team have been busy working on the vintage tram collection, in order to add to the fleet operating during the 2023 season.

Blackpool balcony 40 has had a lift and overhaul, while Newcastle 102, Blackpool 166 and London County Council 106 have all undergone repairs.

Subject to satisfactory testing, these tramcars should be back in operation during the 2023 season, which opens on Saturday 11th March.

As reported here, the overhead line is in the process of being inspected by specialist contractor, Pod-Trak, and the Engineering Team will be cleaning and preparing the tram track in the coming weeks.

Extension Projects 

A significant concrete pour has taken place at the site of the former Staffordshire Railway corridor in Wednesbury for the eagerly awaited Metro extension.

The activity, which took more than seven hours to complete, will enable construction to begin on the structure which will eventually link the existing line to the newer branch from where trams will travel further through Sandwell to Dudley town centre.

In total more than 80 loads of concrete were used, equating to 580m3 in total, and you can read more 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.