In this week’s news from the light rail sector –West Midlands Metro and Luas celebrate International Women’s Day, recognition for Seaton Tramway, bike trials on Manchester Metrolink, a £3.4m track replacement scheme on Tyne & Wear Metro, and the LRSSB is recruiting for two key roles.

West Midlands Metro  

The contribution made by women to the success of West Midlands Metro is being celebrated this week as the popular tramway looks to boost inclusion and diversity across the organisation.

The tramway already boasts an impressive record of providing opportunities for female members of its team, and it’s one of the first UK networks to have a woman, Sophie Allison, serving as Managing Director.

Now it’s looking to inspire even more women to consider a career in light rail as the Metro looks towards further expansion, and you can read more here.

Luas

Dublin’s tram network is also marking International Women’s Day by highlighting the contribution of female colleagues to the transport sector.

Providing greater visibility for women in this area is valuable and shows other women and young girls that working in transport is not just for men.

The campaign internationally this year focuses on the theme is #InspireInclusion, and Luas says it supports the message that everyone has a part in making the world fair for everyone. To read more, click here.

Manchester Metrolink 

A supervised trial to test whether bikes and non-standard cycles can be taken on trams has been launched.

Under the current rules, Metrolink allows folded bikes in bags on trams, but standard bikes are not permitted.

Supervised by the tram operator, Keolis Amey Metrolink, the guided pilot will take place with volunteers selected by TfGM on off-peak services, under test conditions, and also look at the carriage of adapted bikes used as mobility aids, scooters and a broader range of mobility scooters. For the full story, click here.

Tyne & Wear Metro

The Metro tunnels beneath Newcastle city centre are to undergo a £3.4m track replacement scheme, ensuring that the busiest part of the network is resilient for many years to come.

A key junction, located in the tunnel between Monument and Haymarket Metro stations, is to be renewed over two weekend line closures to minimise disruption to customers.

The work on Prudhoe Street crossover, which carries 400 train movements per day, is the busiest junction on Metro and is essential for the smooth operation of services through the centre of Newcastle and Gateshead.

You can read more about the renewal, which has been planned in before the start of major restoration works on the Tyne Bridge, here.

Heritage

Seaton Tramway in East Devon has announced remarkable success at the recently held Jurassic Business Awards.

Organised by Marketing West, and hosted at the Sidmouth Rugby Club last week, the awards were a celebration of business excellence across the Jurassic Coast communities.

In an extraordinary achievement, Seaton Tramway clinched not one, but three esteemed awards, including a top tourism accolade, and further details can be found here.

Meanwhile, Crich Tramway Village, home to the National Tramway Museum, has taken the decision to delay opening for the new season due to surrounding road closures and installation works.

Due to open on Saturday, March 9, the new opening date will now be Saturday, March 16,  2024 and more information is available here.

There have been many road closures around Crich, and it is believed that some of these will be lifted by March 16, enabling better access for staff, volunteers, and visitors, and you can read more here.

LRSSB

The organisation responsible for tramway safety is looking to recruit a Data Analyst and a Research Coordinator.

Further information about the roles, including details on how to apply, can be found on the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board website, 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.