In this week’s news from the light rail sector – Youngsters enjoy a day to remember thanks to West Midlands Metro, work gets underway to improve sections of Manchester Metrolink, Luas supports family fun day, and ‘Dinosaur Day’ at Tramway Village looks set to be a roaring success.
UKTram
A change of government represents a golden opportunity for the UK light rail sector to refocus on immediate challenges ahead of its longer-term goals, delegates at a high-profile event have been told this week.
While the current economic environment may limit the scope for expansion in the short-term, a lot is still happening within the sector that has previously attracted less attention.
Speaking to sector leaders at the national Light Rail Conference in Leeds, UKTram Managing Director James Hammett told delegates that there were a host of challenges that required close collaboration across the sector, and you can find the full story here.
In other light rail news:
LRSSB
UK tramways are making huge strides towards an even safer future thanks to a collaborative approach that’s driving down accident risks and reducing sector costs, light rail leaders heard this week.
Led by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, systems across the UK have already embraced new ways of analysing the threats they face while committing to innovative solutions to wide-ranging challenges.
In a keynote presentation during the sector’s annual conference, LRSSB Chief Executive Carl Williams highlighted a host of projects that are already delivering measurable results, and you can read more here.
West Midlands Metro
The West Midlands Metro team has created a day to remember for youngsters from a Midlands school as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.
Classmates of 9-year-old Pargunn Kaur Birring, who designed a logo to mark the landmark birthday, were invited to Wednesbury for a behind-the-scenes tour of our tram depot.
Last week, Pargunn was among 10 youngsters from Wattville Primary School who enjoyed a guided tour of workshops, training facilities and the depot’s high-tech tram control room.
Accompanied by their arts teacher, the students had the opportunity to get behind the controls of a ‘virtual’ tram thanks to a state-of-the-art training simulator, and you can read the full story here.
Edinburgh Trams
Fans heading for Murrayfield on Saturday (July 20) to watch two of the biggest names in Scottish and English football in a pre-season friendly are being urged to take the tram.
Glasgow Rangers and Manchester United will kick-off against each other at 4.00pm, and Edinburgh Trams will be running extra services before and after the game to ensure supporters enjoy easy and convenient travel to and from the stadium.
Fans can also take advantage of a range of value-for-money ticket options and free parking at the Ingliston Park & Ride, where they can leave their car before completing their journey by tram. To read more, click here.
Manchester Metrolink
Work to improve a key part of the Metrolink network in Manchester city centre is due to get underway next week.
No trams will operate between Market Street and Shudehill tram stop while essential track replacement work is carried out from Wednesday, July 24, until Monday, August 19.
Passengers travelling between Piccadilly station and Victoria – in either direction – can board a replacement bus service or change trams at St Peter’s Square.
A signed walking route will be put in place between Market Street and Shudehill tram stops, and further details can be found here.
Luas
Luas and its operator Transdev have teamed up with the Samuel Beckett Community Facility, to support a family fun day taking place on Saturday, July 27. The event will take place following a free summer programme held for the residents of Ballyogan in July.
The family fun day is held at the Samuel Beckett Community Centre, approximately eight minutes walk from Ballyogan Wood Luas Stop on the Green Line.
The day will kick off with the mini world cup finals following the summer programme games and will end with a presentation of trophies to the winning team, and you can find out more here.
Heritage
A Jurassic takeover that is sure to be a roaring success at Crich Tramway village.
On July 27, will offer visitors the opportunity to meet the fierce carnivores T- Rex and Spinosaurus, and see the herbivore compound with Triceratops and Brontosaurus.
There will also be baby dinosaurs and the chance to dig for a fossil in our fossil workshop during the Dinosaur Day, and further details 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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