In this week’s news from the light rail sector – A European award for a talented tram manager in Nottingham, industrial action in Croydon and reports that the Docklands extension is still on track.
The organisation responsible for light rail safety in the UK is all set to press ahead with its vital work thanks to continued government funding as part of a wider £4.5 million package that also includes support for UKTram.
The Department for Transport has said that £3.3 million of the settlement will help the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board it to drive a wide range of projects over the next three years.
Following the announcement of the funding, Transport Minister Baroness Vere said that light rail is a fantastic way to keep our country moving quickly, efficiently and sustainably and you can read the full story here.
In other light rail news:
NET
A member of the team running Nottingham’s tram network has been recognised as a rising star in the European transport sector after scooping a prestigious international award.
Tram Technical Manager, Laura Bartram, was presented with the Best Young Talent Award at the recent European Mobility Exhibition in Paris, an event that brings together thousands of transport professionals from across the continent.
Having served in the Army as an aircraft technician for six years, Laura joined the NET team in 2019 and is now responsible for managing a multi-million-pound contract with Alstom, the company responsible for maintaining the operator’s 37-strong tram fleet. For the full story, click here.
London Tramlink
Drivers are set for industrial action in Croydon later this month in a dispute over pay.
As reported here the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) has announced two 48-hour strikes that will take place from June 28 to June 29 and July 13 to July 14.
Docklands Light Railway
Transport for London has confirmed that it is moving ahead with plans to extend the Docklands Light Railway and the West London Orbital part of the London Overground.
The New Civil Engineer reports here that both projects were previously thought to be at danger of being mothballed due to the pandemic’s impact on TfL.
Despite the transport operator not having yet secured a long-term capital funding package from the Department for Transport in their ongoing negotiations, TfL finance committee agenda papers reveal that plans for both schemes are moving forwards.
Tyne & Wear Metro
The Tyne and Wear Metro has become England’s first rail network to have tactile paving on every platform edge, delivering a major accessibility upgrade for blind and partially sighted people.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, has completed a year-long project to upgrade the 12 remaining Metro stations which needed tactile strips installed.
It means that all 60 stations on the network now have tactile surfacing, as well as step-free access from street to platform, and you can read the full story 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.co.uk
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