The challenges and successes experienced by networks across the UK and Ireland have been highlighted by light rail professionals during recent working group meetings.

The UKTram Light Rail Operations and Engineering Groups met ahead of a recent sector summit in Birmingham and discussed a range of topics, from tackling anti-social behaviour on trams to supply issues.

The Engineering Group was led for the first time by its new Chair, Marilena Papadopoulou from Edinburgh Trams, and received updates from the Light Rail Safety Standards Board, the Office of Rail and Road, and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.

As always, both LREG and LROC meetings  were  well attended, with many participants joining in person and some online from all corners of UK and Eire ( Ireland),” explained Phill Terry, UKTram Lead Engineer.

“They provided an ideal opportunity for operators and engineers to discuss and share their experience and knowledge on important issues affecting the tram world, including incidents and material and resource issues. It also enabled UK Tram and respective groups  to welcome and meet new members, including representatives from Transport for Wales (TfW), Kruch, Sika and Urban Mainlines.”

Among the topics covered during the Operations Group meeting was the development of a new track safety awareness tool, following on from discussions by the group earlier in the year. The initiative focused on building a positive relationship with pupils to understand how they should behave when they’re on or near trams.

Steve Duckering, UKTram Operations Manager, commented: “In a roundup from networks, we also heard that Edinburgh had reached a major milestone after recording 1.2 million customer journeys in one month and that Manchester Metrolink had reintroduced peak services to MediaCityUK.”