In this week’s news from the light rail sector – VLR plans in Stoke, Rugby offers in Edinburgh, public ownership for Sheffield Supertram, new escalators for underground/DLR interchange, and artwork unveiled on Tyne and Wear Metro.
Sheffield Supertram
South Yorkshire will have a publicly owned, publicly operated tram network from 2024, as regional leaders approve plans for the system’s future.
The move means the running of Supertram services, infrastructure and finances will be controlled by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) when Stagecoach’s current contract for operation of the network ends.
The plan forms part of the region’s wider ambitions to upgrade Supertram, as part of a fully integrated public transport network. The full story can be found here.
Edinburgh Trams
A feast of international rugby is set to kick off in Edinburgh this autumn, and the city’s award-winning tram operator is gearing up to make it as easy as possible to travel to and from matches.
As the city prepares to welcome the eagerly awaited fixtures at Murrayfield, Edinburgh Trams has added new options to its wide range of ticket offers that are sure to prove popular with rugby fans.
Priced at just £3.40, Adult Rugby Return Tickets can now be bought in advance from edinburghticket.com and more details are available here.
Docklands Light Railway
Three new escalators were brought into service at Bank Tube station to provide a new interchange route between the Northern Line concourse and the DLR concourse and platforms.
As reported here, Transport for London estimates that around 40 per cent of those customers using Bank Underground station are changing between lines. The new interchange route makes moving around the station quicker and easier and will reduce journey times by up to nine minutes.
Tyne & Wear Metro
Four major new artworks which are the first in the world to be commissioned for the inside of new Metro trains have been unveiled.
Works by four different artists will appear on permanent display throughout the 46 new trains of the Tyne and Wear Metro system in North East England as a new fleet enters service from next year.
They will become some of the most viewed and well-known contemporary art in Britain, seen by Metro’s 35 million annual customers on every journey, and you can read the full story here.
Extension Projects
A short section of Sedgley Road East in Tipton will close temporarily to vehicular traffic from Monday 24 October as work to install a purpose-built bridge for the anticipated Metro route gets underway.
Those traveling along Sedgley Road East over the autumn are being asked to leave more time for their journeys and to follow clearly signed diversion routes.
Public transport users are also being advised that bus services in the area may run on amended routes and they should check with their operator’s website before they travel. In addition, pedestrian diversions will be in place as footpaths beneath the structure are temporarily closed.
It is anticipated that the closures will be lifted by mid-December and more details about the work can be found on the Midland Metro Alliance website.
Proposed new systems
Stoke-on-Trent could get its own tram-style system if plans to ‘revolutionise transport’ in the city are approved.
Proposals for a very light rail (VLR) vehicle network are at the heart of a new strategy which aims to cut journey times, reduce congestion and increase social mobility.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council is now inviting residents to have their say on the new transport strategy before it is considered by cabinet and full council next year.
As reported in the local media here, the online consultation opened last week and a number of in-person events are being planned to allow people to share their views.
Heritage
Crich Tramway Village is inviting families to join in a host of fun activities over half term.
Between Monday, October 24, and Thursday, October 27, the popular attraction will be staging four days of autumn and Halloween fun and a full schedule of activities can be found 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.
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