In light rail news this week – Metrolink park & ride site reopens with more spaces, late night safety scheme on NET, Shuttle operator proposes new service, works to affect Fleetwood trams, track dualling scheme will increase Metro frequency and new Combo Tour Ticket on Blackpool Heritage.
Light rail operators are being urged to review their risk assessments following changes to the Highway Code that come into force on January 29.
The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board is carrying out a full review of the changes before issuing its updated sector-wide guidance, where necessary.
However, it says individual networks also need to look closely at the revisions.
Carl Williams, LRSSB Chief Executive, explained that the updated Code contains amendments that may have implications for some tramway operations, particularly in relation to their interaction with other road users.
You can read more on this story here.
In other light rail news:
Manchester Metrolink
The Metrolink Park & Ride facility at the Whitefield has reopened following the completion of construction works which have added more than 120 extra car parking spaces.
The work has seen the installation of a new parking deck at the existing site, expanding the number of spaces from 208 to 331 spaces in total, enabling more people to access the Metrolink network and use public transport for part of their journey.
In order to improve traffic movements around the Whitefield Park & Ride site, the former exit and entrance to the car park have been changed and signage across the site has been updated to direct car park users. The main entrance to the site from Stanley Road will remain the same. For the full story, click here.
NET
Nottingham’s tram network has embraced an initiative that provides a late-night safety refuge offering protection to vulnerable people who may need help on a night out.
The scheme is part of a wider strategy led by Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry, who is working in conjunction with a range of partners to reduce crime and violence against women in the City’s night-time economy.
Commissioner Henry secured over £250,000 from the Home Office’s Safety of Women at Night (SWaN) Fund and the full story can be found here.
Meanwhile, Nottingham’s tram network saw a return to a full weekday timetable from Monday (January 24), with trams from every three minutes in the city centre at peak times.
Since Christmas, a Sunday timetable has been in place through the week, enabling NET to maintain a robust service as reported Covid infections increased across the city and you can read more here.
Pre Metro
The operator of the popular Stourbridge Shuttle is pursuing its ambitions to segregate the current dual-track heavy rail lines between Stourbridge and the Round Oak Steel Works near Brierley Hill to provide a dedicated passenger service.
Phil Evans, Managing Director at Pre Metro, believes that the scheme, if properly implemented, would give greater value for money and the ‘Dudley Dasher’ offers affordable and valuable connectivity for our community, the local economy and the environment.
The TOC will be meeting with local MPs to receive their recommendations on how to proceed with Dudley and Brierley Hill services, and they hope that they will soon be moving forwards to develop the Strategic Outline Business Case with backing from the West Midlands Combined Authority.
Blackpool Transport
Due to works taking place on Lord Street, trams will be unable to run further than Fisherman’s Walk for up to eight weeks from Monday, January 31.During this time, all trams will start and terminate at Fisherman’s Walk until works are completed.
Customers can purchase tram tickets on our service 1 or 14 travelling to Fisherman’s Walk and travel from Fisherman’s Walk to Fleetwood Ferry on Blackpool Transport’s 14 service using their tram ticket.
More information can be found here.
Tyne & Wear Metro
A £100m track dualling scheme that will increase service frequency, reduce journey times, and improve reliability on the Tyne and Wear Metro has officially got underway.
The Metro Flow project will see an existing freight line upgraded and electrified in South Tyneside, making it capable of carrying Metro services, boosting the capacity for an extra 24,000 customer journeys every day.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, joined local council leaders and contractor Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd to cut the first piece of turf – marking the official start of works on site and you can read the full story here.
Heritage
What’s better than taking a trip along Blackpool’s famous coastline on a piece of moving history in the form of a beautifully preserved Heritage Tram?
This year Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours are launching a brand new Combo Tour Ticket to give you the opportunity to ride on both its Promenade and Coastal Tours.
With the new ticket, customers have a full 12 months to take their tours enabling them to plan ahead for those nostalgic moments. They don’t need to travel on both tours during the same day and full details of the offer can be found here.
To be included in the next round-up, or the Members News section of the website, send your press releases to jamie.swift@uktram.org.
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