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21 December 2002 - MANCHESTER REVEALS LATEST WEAPON AGAINST FARE DODGERS The Manchester Online website claims that as many as 1 in 6 passengers on Manchester Metrolink could be fare dodging and as such have now launched a new weapon to avoid the lost revenue this causes. The team of on-tram Inspectors have been given hand-held computers which will enable them to check the names and addresses of potential fare dodgers in just 3 seconds. In addition to this a special 'court' has been set-up which meets on a Thursday for those who have not paid their automatic £20 fine after 21 days and 2 warnings. The majority of those fined do pay up within this time limit but it is reported that as many as 170 can appear at one sitting. It remains to be seen whether this new weapon does deter the fare dodgers dogging the system, with many blaming the troublesome ticket machines on each platform for the number of those without tickets. Source: Manchester Online 20 December 2002 - MAJOR TRACK WORK ON BLACKPOOL AND FLEETWOOD TRAMWAY TO START IN JANUARY It has now been confirmed that the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway from Thornton Gate to Fleetwood will be completely closed for 3 months in the new year. It is hoped that the work will enable double deck trams to return to the Fleetwood service in time for Easter next year, buses will replace the tram service during this £1.2 million upgrade of the track. Birse, who carried out the work last winter in the Norbreck area, will again be in charge which will commence on 6 January and is expected to be completed by 11 April. There will be 3 areas of attention: Westmorland Avenue-Way Gate, Rossall Lane-South Strand and Ash Street-Mayfield Street. This period has been chosen as it is expected the least disruption will be caused with it being out of season. Source: Blackpool Today 15 December 2002 - WOMEN KILLED AFTER BEING HIT BY CROYDON TRAMLINK For the second time in 3 months there has been a death on the Croydon Tramlink network, this time near Lloyd Park tram stop on the New Addington branch. A woman was chasing after her dog which had run over the tram tracks around 200 metres from the Lloyd Park stop when she was struck by the tram. The incident happened at approximately 1.40pm and the emergency serices were quickly on the scene but could not revive the woman. The tram suffered damage to the windscreen and the tram service was severely disrupted in the area for the next hour. This latest incident comes just 3 months after the last death caused by a tram and only a month since the inquest of this death recommended safety improvements. Source: icSouthLondon 15 December 2002 - MORE ON GOVERNMENT TRANSPORT FUNDING Further to the news article earlier in the week elsewhere in the regional reports funding has been awarded to Leicester City Council for a study into having a light rail system in my old University city. Meanwhile in Rochdale, which will soon become part of the Metrolink network, there has been delight expressed that they will finally be linked to the system. In a article for the Rochdale Observer the route was confirmed as following the existing Oldham loop railway from Manchester with the town centre terminus next to the current bus station after some limited street running along Maclure Road and Drake Street. A more in depth article on the MerseyTram proposal and some history on tramways in Liverpool is now online in the features section. Source: Department for Transport & Rochdale Observer 10 December 2002 - DARLING PROVIDES GOOD NEWS FOR METROLINK EXTENSION & MERSEY TRAM In the multi billion pound transport funding package announced today by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling both the Manchester Metrolink and the Mersey Tram proposal received good news. Manchester Metrolink has got £520 million for extensions to the network linking Oldham and Rochdale, Ashton-under-Lyne and Manchester Airport to the city centre. It is expected that a quick start can be made on construction now the funding is in place. Meanwhile the green light has finally been given for the Mersey PTE to progress with MerseyTram Line 1 which aims to improve links from the City Centre to Kirkby and other deprived areas with £170 million awarded for this purpose. MerseyTram now have to apply for a Transport and Works Act before any further progress can be made. However for those hoping that Blackpool would find out whether their ambitious light rail proposals would be approved there was disappointment although Blackpool have been awarded £3.4 million to fund various public transport and town centre improvements. In Yorkshire amongst the £66.694 million awarded to West Yorkshire £12 million is for the Leeds Supertram projects development with pre construction works beginning in January. Finally in the North East money has been allocated for the completion of installing double track on the Tyne and Wear Metro in the South Tyneside area. Source: Department for Transport 8 December 2002 - RATS & LOVERS PLAGUE MIDLAND METRO In the past week two stories have appeared on the icBirmingham website with regards to pests on the network. Firstly the system has been suffering from a plague of giant rats which the operatos are trying to combat by placing bait boxes. The report qoutes a member of the local Passenger Transport Authority as saying that the rats are the size of a large kitten and have been seen along platforms throughout the system. Possibly one of the best quotes in the article though comes from Phil Bateman of Midland Metro who says 'on occasions the rats do actually hop through the open doors and on to the tram...unfortunately the bye-laws only ban dogs on the service.' The second pest affecting the system at the moment are young lovers scratching their love for each other into the tram windows which is costing Midland Metro a large amount for replacements. Bosses are now studying CCTV footage so they can see the culprits doing the damage, which has become so severe that the windows have needed to be replaced. The cost of the windows has been revealed as £3,000 for the front and £300 for the side. Source: icBirmingham 4 December 2002 - IS READING GOING TO JOIN THE CLAMOUR FOR LIGHT RAIL? A report on Meridian Tonight today mentioned that Reading Borough Coucil have released a 5 point plan for the future transport in the town. One of the points mentions the possibility of a modern tram system such as those in Manchester and Sheffield. A councillor was interviewed and said that they are definitely looking at some kind of rapid transit as the town is suffering from severe congestion not helped by town planning in the last 30 years. We will keep an eye pn developments with a keen eye considering the locality of the town to me! Source: Meridian TV 2 December 2002 - THE LATEST FROM BLACKPOOL Jubilee 761 has been painted in a white base coat in preparation for a vinyl advert for The News of World , it is believed that the design will include contravision as Michelin Liveried Balloon 721 amongst others. The latest mid-life overhaul Centenary 644 continues to progress and has now been painted in a yellow base in preparation for the current livery of 647, which will be the next overhaul, for Farmer Parrs Animal World and Fleetwood Market. Brush Car 625 returned to service at the end of the season and is now being used on the driver training school along with Brannigan's Liveried 632. Source: Paul Turner 1 December 2002 - ALARM FOR BEESTON SHOPKEEPERS ON NET LINE 3 Shopkeepers in Beeston have reacted badly to one of the possible routes for Line 3 of Nottingham Express Transit as it would involve demolishing a row of shops. It is believed that researchers have been investigating 3 alternative routes through the town with one through Styring Street considered to be the best. The traders have been told that this is only one option and may not be taken up but it has still caused uproar amonst the few businesses whom would be affected. The second possible route is via Middle Street whilst the final option is on Station Road and the pedestrianised Beeston Square. Research has already been taken out on these alternative routes and it is believed by the Nottingham Evening Post that Styring Street would be the one which would enable the trams to be as punctual as possible. There is now likely to be a period of public consultation in January after more research is done on the likely effects of the routes. Also in Nottingham ITV newsreader Nicholas Owen asked to look at the work of the NET Line 1 when he visited the city for a charity event. Owen is a well know rail and tram enthusiast and wrote the foreword for a book on Croydon Tramlink. Source: This is Nottingham 30 November 2002 - REWARD OFFERED TO FIND TRAMLINK VANDALS Following on from the gas cylinder attack 3 weeks ago on the Wimbledon branch a £1,000 reward has been offered for help in finding the two vandals. Bosses at Croydon Tramlink are anxious to find the culprits as this incident is very serious and it was lucky that there were no injuries for the 40 passengers on board the tram. Source: icSouthLondon 27 November 2002 - CHILWELL TRADERS COMPENSATION PAYMENT HOPE Traders along the proposed route of Line 3 of Nottingham Express Transit in Chilwell are hoping that they will receive compensation payments as did those in Hyson Green on Line 1 from the city council. NET have made it clear that their budget does not allow them to offer any compensation for the disruption in trade which is caused by the construction of the tram lines. For businesses in Hyson Green tough conditions were placed on receiving the aid, including the length the shop had been there - at least 4 years. Several shops in Nottingham City Centre did not survive the construction of Line One ven though the City Council also reduced rates for those businesses affected and the businesses in Chilwell do not want to go the same way. This disruption had been seen countrywide since the new generation of tramways started to be built and the people have to realise that there will be necssary disruption for a later benefit although some arrangement should be come to in order to help these companies to survive. Source: This is Nottingham 25 November 2002 - REGIONAL TRANSPORT BOSSES GIVE MIDLAND METRO EXTENSIONS SUPPORT The West Midlands PTE is today expected to agree today to apply to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for the Transport and Works Act for construction which is expected to start in 2005 with completion in 2007. The plans see two extensions to the current line: Snow Hill to Five Ways and Wednesbury and Brierley Hill. Source: icBirmingham 18 November 2002 - VANDALS STRIKE CROYDON TRAMLINK The lives of 40 passengers were put into danger by vandals throwing an explosive gas cylinder at a moving tram on Sunday 10 November. The cylinder caused the tram to derail whilst it was heading away from Morden Road towards Phipps Bridge on the Wimbledon branch. The passengers had to be led to safety by the driver of the tram involved and the area was cordoned off with buses replacing trams between Mitcham and Wimbledon until 6am on the following day. The seriousness of this incident can not be underestimated and only the element of luck meant there were not any injuries on the tram. Source: icSouthLondon 10 November 2002 - THE LATEST FROM THE BLACKPOOL AND FLEETWOOD TRAMWAY The first piece of news to report from the north-west England resort is that Balloon 724 whose underframe had been stored in the depot for a number of months since work had stopped has now been moved to the Body Shop for work to recommence on its rebuild into the flat-fronted style of sisters 707, 709 and 718. The car already has its new underframe in place. Also during the past month withdrawn second series Balloon 713 has had an inspection on its defective underframe to see whether any repairs would be viable by Blackpool Transport. Elsewhere two other trams are currently out of service with Brush 625 and Balloon 703 being stored in the depot awaiting work to be undertaken. Meanwhile the mid-life overhaul Centenary Car 644 is progressing with its newly overhauled trucks now back in situ. Source: Fylde Tramway News 8 November 2002 - CROYDON TRAMLINK TO UNDERTAKE SAFETY REVIEW AFTER GREAT-GRAN DEATH Bosses at Croydon Tramlink have said that they are to undertaken an urgent review of safety on the system after an inquest was held into the death of a Great-Grandmother back in September (see separate story of 11 September). This was the third death caused by the system since opening in November 2000. The coroner suggested that barriers should be installed to stop people from walking onto the tram tracks as well as additional speed limits so trams can stop quicker when people walk out in front of them. The verdict on the elderly lady was accidential death. Source: icSouthLondon 5 November 2002 - NET OVERHEAD ERECTION COMMENCES Nottingham Express Transit have now commenced the erection of the overhead outide the depot in Hyson Green and will then continue inside the depot confines. It is then planned for some sections of the line to go 'live' for the first tests of the trams. Meanwhile the Nottingham Evening Post also report that there have been over 1,000 people applying for the 90 driver/conductor jobs which were only advertised 2 weeks ago. Source: This is Nottingham 30 October 2002 - LIVINGSTONE RULES OUT DIRECT LINK FOR CROYDON AND SUTTON The Mayor of London Ken Livingstone has ruled out any chance in the near future of a direct link between Croydon and Sutton on the Croydon Tramlink system. The main reason given was that were currently frequent "heavy rail" services between the two areas after Mr Livingstone was asked by Greater London Assembly Member for Croydon and Sutton Andrew Pelling. However at the same meeting he did reveal that Transport for London have recently undertaken a pre-feasibility study on any possible tram extensions. The possible routes include Wimbledon to Sutton via Morden, Sutton to Tooting Broadway via Mitcham and Purley to Streatham via Croydon. Source: icSouthLondon 29 October 2002 - TWO INJURED IN SEPERATE BLACKPOOL TRAM INCIDENTS On last Saturday night there were two incidents on the Blackpool Tramway within the space of 3 hours. The first incident happened just before 9pm in the fenced section of Queens Promenade, somewhere between Cabin and Bispham when a visitor from Caernarvon was sheltering from the weather in a shelter and with a group of friends attempted to flag down a tram. However the driver of the tram did not see them until two late and Huw Jones had a toe severed in the incident with two of his friends suffering severe bruising. In the second incident a 21 year old man was apparently 'play fighting' on Central Promenade and he was knocked unconsious and had to be cut free from underneath a tram, having been trapped for around 20 minutes, with a deep cut to his forehead. With these two incidents occurring just over a week after double deck trams were banned from going north of Thornton Gate the Blackpool Tramway is suffering negativety and needs a positive announcement from the government regarding the application for funds. Source: Blackpool Today 22 October 2002 - AMBITIOUS PLANS LAUNCHED BY SOUTH YORKSHIRE SUPERTRAM Local Councillors in Sheffield have launched ambitious plans which they hop will see the current network double in size to around 60km. However the plans are still at an early stage with no definite routes yet decided upon although one councillor says that it would make sense for an extension from the University tram stop to the Hallamshire Hospital. If the plans were to get the go ahead it is estimated that it will cost half a billion pounds, without the majority of this expected to come from central Government. Transport planners are also keen on keeping disruption to a bare minimum during construction after the chaos that ensued from the original building work. There are also plans to establish, at as yet undetermined locations, additional park and ride sites. New trams would be required for the new lines, possibly of a different design from the current fleet. Whether these plans get the money needed remains to be seen with many other towns and cities across the country fighting for possibly limited funds. Source: Sheffield Today 21 October 2002 - CLOSING DATE PASSES FOR LEEDS SUPERTRAM CONSORTIA BIDS Today was the closing date for bids from consortia intersted in running the Leeds Supertram system scheduled for opening in late 2007. The two bids received were from Momentis (FirstGroup Plc, Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd., Bouyges TP, Jarvis Facilities Ltd) and Airelink (Arriva Passenger Services Ltd, Siemens Transportation Systems, AMEC, Transdev). The bids are now to be subjected to an in depth process of evaluation and then each bidder will be invited to enter a 'Best and Final Offer' and the final contract should be awarded by the end of 2003. Source: Leeds Supertram 21 October 2002 - NET DRIVING & CONDUCTING JOBS TO BE ADVERTISED The first adverts for the 90 driver/conductor jobs on Nottingham Express Transit will be advertised this week in the Nottingham Evening Post. The salary for the jobs will be £15,000 and the first successful applicants will start training next February. It has also been revealed that the first two trams for the system have been delivered to the depot with on-site testing expected to start next month. Source: This is Nottingham 18 October 2002 - DOUBLE-DECK TRAMS BANNED BETWEEN THORNTON GATE AND FLEETWOOD It has been reported that today, the Health and Safety Executive has banned double-deck trams from travelling further north than Thornton Gate on the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway due to the poor condition of the trackwork. This section of track had a temporay speed restriction applied at the end of August but it seems that this has not proved to be sufficient. It can not be under estimated the effect that this can have on the Blackpool Tramway particulary with the many of people who travel to Fleetwood for the market. It could have happened at a worse time, in the height of the summer season, but it must be realised that urgent action is required as two single deck trams will have to be used vice one double-decker meaning one extra crew member. It has also been reported that for the first ever time Twin Cars have been used on the main Starr Gate-Fleetwood service. Now, more than ever, Blackpool awaits news of the funding from the Government. If the track is not sorted by next Summer the consequences could be catastrophic and it is amazing that the trackwork was allowed to get in such a bad state. 10 October 2002 - LEEDS SUPERTRAM ROADSHOW TO GO TO LOCAL SCHOOLS Nine schools along the route of the Leeds Supertram are to get a chance to question experts over the next two weeks as the Supertram Travelling Information Centre visits. There will also be Supertram keyrings and pencils given out and all the schools will receive a CD-ROM containing a virtual tour, maps and a full background of the system. There are also to be 12 schools involved in a painting competition with the best piece from each school being put onto the 2003 Supertram calendar. This process shows how the system is trying to win over the local community before the inevitable disruption during the construction. Source: Leeds Supertram 9 October 2002 - ANGER OVER NET WORK DELAY NET bosses say that the final stage of works in the Noel Street area, involving the creation of tram stops, will be completed by Christmas. However the local community are angry as they were originally informed work would be finished in January and also that they can not park outside their homes and businesses can't receive deliveries. NET have hit back by claiming 125 car parking spaces will eventually be provided, 25 more than are required. This seems to be the usual tale of severe disruption during the construction of tram systems in the UK. Source: This is Nottingham 8 October 2002 - NET DEFEND PROPOSED CLIFTON ROUTE NET Executive Director Neil Bates has replied to yesterdays protests by Environment Not Trams by claiming that an alternative route will not be considered for Line Two as it would not meet the criteria for Government funding. He also added that there would be a full environmental assessment carried out and the findings would be studied at a public inquiry. Source: This is Nottingham 7 October 2002 - WALLASEY 78 RETURNS TO SERVICE IN BIRKENHEAD Wallasey 78 was returned to service yesterday at the Wirral Bus and Tram Show giving rides for the first time since 1933, after which it was sold to a farmer. The tram has been restored over the past 17 years, is in Lime Green and Cream livery and is the only car surviving with a Bellamy roof in the world. Source: icLiverpool 7 October 2002 - RESIDENTS PROTEST AGAINST PROPOSED ROUTE OF LINE TWO The campaign group Environment Not Trams and local MP for Rushcliffe Kenneth Clarke have today complained that a nature reserve will be badly affected by the construction of Line 2. It reports ENT spokesperson Gordon Wheeler as saying, "the proposed route will destroy a site of nature conservation and threaten a site of Special Scientific Interest." The group would like to see an alternative route used as they are not against the tram system. However Kenneth Clarke is quoted as saying "I have always been unconvinced by the use for a tramway. I just think if I had £300m to spend on reducing traffic congestion, I would not spend it on trams to Bulwell, Beeston and Clifton, which are all serviced by the best bus service system in the city." The line has not yet been confirmed as Nottingham Express Transit are awaiting news on Government funding. Line One is scheduled to open in November 2003 from the City Centre to Hucknall with an additional two lines planned for future. Source: This is Nottingham 7 October 2002 - CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE UPDATE A number of trams have recently re-entered service at Crich with Chesterfield 7 (back for the August Bank Holiday - following cosmetic attention), Southampton 45 (Forties Weekend - cosmetic attention), Sheffield 74 (first weekend in Augist - cosmetic attention) and Glasgow 812 (only available on a restricted service basis). On the minus side there are also a significant number of trams which have been taken out of service with Glasgow 22 (undergoing workshop attention), Blackpool 40 (defective south end motor) and Johannesburg 60 (cracks in the wheel). However LCC 106 (attention to its trucks, was testing in early September) and MET 331 (requiring additional paintwork attention following limited work) are expected to return to usage soon. Blackpool & Fleetwood 2 is also currently restricted to running in series after concern was shown over the north motor. The current big project is Leeds 345 and the top deck framing is now complete with the side panels fitted and work has now commenced on the roof. Meanwhile the Library Extension continues with the main structure now reaching the second floor level. Unfortunately due to the need for scaffolding the weekday tram service has been terminated by the Stone Workshop. Source: The Journal of the Tramway Musuem Society 4 October 2002 - BLACKPOOL TRAMWAY UPDATE The past month has seen the return of three trams to service following periods out of use with rebuilt Balloon 718 first to return after its 4-year overhaul in early September, it was revealed in an all over advert for City Sightseeing. Twin Car set 677+687 were also back in use in the middle of the month after its Pantograph tower base was rebuilt following a fault found. Finally Brush 636 returned to service at the end of September after its attention for a severe cable fire which had led to some doubt over the trams future. Finally for this month the latest Centenary undergoing a midlife overhaul, 644, has now had all the interior and exterior panels and bonded glazing now fitted. Source: Fylde Tramway News 2 October 2002 - TRAMLINK TO MEND BROKEN SIGN AT EAST CROYDON A destination sign at East Croydon station on the Tramlink network is due to be fixed this week after being damaged in a mystery incident in August. Tramlink bosses say they have no idea how the sign became damaged, but it has meant that passengers have not known how long they have to wait for the next tram. The reason given for the delay is that there has been a change in maintenance contractor. Source: Croydon Guardian 27 September 2002 - BLACKWATER VALLEY LIGHT RAIL SYSTEM RULED OUT IN SOUTH EAST TRANSPORT PLAN My local newspaper, the Aldershot News, has reported that a draft ten-year plan for transport for the south-east has ruled out a light rail system for the North-East corner of Hampshire. In the Editorial Comment section of this weeks paper it seems to be in favour of a system which would 'revolutionise the public transport facilities and links between Aldershot, Farnborough, Camberley and so on.' Both County Councillors and the local Borough Councillors seem to be disappointed with the lack of mention in the plan. However the column also brings up the big question for all Light Rail schemes and that is the cost. Source: Aldershot News and Mail 18 September 2002 - ADVANCE WORK FOR LEEDS SUPERTRAM TO START IN JANUARY 2003 The preparation work for the forthcoming Leeds Supertram is to commence at the start of next year it was announced today on the official website. The initial work will be on the A61/A639 Hunslet Road/Low Road and is to involve the replacement of the existing pedestrian bridge with signal controlled crossings, the relocation of existing underground utilities & the creation of a new lane. There is also to be some work on the Leeds Inner Ring Road Viaduct over Hunslet Road. The idea behindthese advance works is that it will minimise disruption after the main contract for construction commences. The initial work should be completed by October 2003. Source: Leeds Supertram 17 September 2002 - MIDLAND METRO REVEALED AS KEY ELEMENT OF WEST MIDLANDS LOCAL TRANSPORT PLAN The key element of the new LTP for Birmingham and the surrounding area revealed today sees plans for 3 new Midland Metro lines. The extensions planned are from Five Ways to Oldbury, Brimingham City Centre to the airport via Coventry Road and Kingstanding and Great Barr to Selly Oak via Walsall Road. The plan will be presented to the Government in July next year but first there will be the chance for local businesses, public authorities and oridinary people to make comments. Source: ic Birmingham 11 September 2002 - GREAT GRANDMOTHER KILLED BY TRAM IN CROYDON A Great Grandmother died shortly after she was struck by a tram at the Fieldway stop in New Addington. Rose Walton suffered serious head injuries and was dead on arrival at the hospital. The 30 year old female tram driver was taken to hospital suffering from shock. Source: icSouthLondon