Strikes on the way for Metrolink?

Posted on Wednesday 4 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Manchester Metrolink services could be hit by strikes later this year with an ongoing pay dispute not seeming to be close to a resolution. Unite the Union are quoted in the Manchester Evening News as saying a recent pay offer is “pitiful” and this was rejected by over 90% of their members in a ballot. The next stage of the dispute is likely to the be the union running another ballot asking whether there is support for a strike.

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Lockdown Walks: Stagecoach Supertram 399 205

Posted on Wednesday 4 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

“Lockdown Walks” again heads to Sheffield today as we take a look at one of the Citylink tram-train vehicles in service.

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In Pictures: Good progress in Blackpool

Posted on Tuesday 3 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Whilst sometimes with our regular updates from the Blackpool Tramway extension it can be a case of “what has actually changed” this latest article is very different as we can see good progress at both ends of the line. At the Talbot Square end there have been additions to the wiring with the first frogs installed while up at Wilko’s after several days of preparation the concrete has been poured around the rails.

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Beamish provide update on the tramway

Posted on Tuesday 3 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

While we continue to mention those heritage tramways which have reopened since the latest relaxation of Covid restrictions it should be remembered that there are still some which have not yet been able to reopen. One of those is at Beamish and they recently provided an update of the status of the tramway on their Transport and Industry Blog which explains why it hasn’t operated yet this year.

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Overhead problems in Sheffield and the West Midlands Metro

Posted on Tuesday 3 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Tuesday 3rd August has been another day with overhead issues on UK light rail systems – both Stagecoach Supertram and West Midlands Metro have been affected this time and for a change it is Sheffield which has the more serious problem with that in the West Midlands being fixed relatively quickly.

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Lockdown Walks: Blackpool Balloon 717 & Flexity2 012

Posted on Tuesday 3 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Blackpool is again the location for this edition of “Lockdown Walks”.

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In Pictures: Douglas Promenade works

Posted on Monday 2 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its probably fair to say that the redevelopment of Douglas Promenade has not been the smoothest civil engineering project out there. With delays, cost overruns and what seems to have been constant changes it has caused disruption in Douglas for several years. For many readers of British Trams Online the key aspect of the project has been the relaying of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway tracks and in this update we take a look at some of the works which have been taking place at what will be a temporary terminus at Broadway just beyond the Villa Marina. Jim Smythe with the photos.

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Reduced service to be introduced on Metrolink

Posted on Monday 2 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

There will a reduced frequency across the Manchester Metrolink network from Friday 6th August to allow a more reliable service to operate with increased staff absence as a result of the so-called pingdemic.

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Whatever Happened To? Crich Tramathon 2005 – Paisley 68

Posted on Monday 2 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

As “Whatever Happened To?” continues its look at those trams which ran during the 2005 Tramathon we reach a tram which has had an identity change but at the time was Paisley 68.

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Lockdown Walks: Stagecoach Supertram 118 & 111

Posted on Monday 2 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

This edition of “Lockdown Walks” heads out to Sheffield again.

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Stop by Stop Blackpool Tramway: Pleasant Street

Posted on Sunday 1 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

We return to Blackpool for “Stop by Stop” over the next few weeks as we resume our journey north with the stops between Pleasant Street and Cleveleys featuring in this second part of the series. We start off with the first stop of North Promenade – Pleasant Street.

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Consultation launched for new Supertram stop on Tram-Train route

Posted on Sunday 1 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

The Tram-Train service which runs to Rotherham Parkgate could be set for a new stop with a public consultation being launched looking at a proposed new stop in Templebrough, Rotherham. The stop has been better known so far as giving access to the Magna Science & Adventure Centre but would also improve access to employment and give walking and cycling opportunities.

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Lockdown Walks: Blackpool 012

Posted on Sunday 1 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

For the first time in “Lockdown Walks” we feature a modern tram running in Blackpool.

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New side ads on Nottingham Express Transit helps to celebrate 20th anniversary of charity

Posted on Sunday 1 August 2021 by Gareth Prior

Framework – which supports homeless and vulnerable people across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a new fundraising campaign which includes side adverts on several trams.

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In Pictures: Works underway in Birmingham City Centre

Posted on Saturday 31 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Since the start of service on Monday 26th July all West Midlands Metro services to Birmingham have only been travelling as far as Bull Street with works now having started on connecting the current city centre line to the Birmingham Eastside extension as well as the relaying of tracks on Corporation Street. This situation is due to continue until October 2021 at which point the rails will all be in place although it will be some time before trams head onto the Eastside extension. In this pictorial update we take a look at the state of affairs on Friday 30th July with photos from Andy Walters.

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What’s New on British Trams Online? 31st July 2021

Posted on Saturday 31 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

This week there are another two Photo Galleries – and neither are “from the archives” or overseas! Yes, that’s right we have two sets of photos from now as we visit Manchester and Crich:

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Around the World in Trams: Prague 8151 & 8152

Posted on Saturday 31 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

Its off to Prague again for this latest edition of “Around the World in Trams”.

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Record results for Tyne and Wear Metro passenger satisfaction survey

Posted on Saturday 31 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

The latest survey of passenger satisfaction on the Tyne and Wear Metro has given record results more than 750 who were questioned giving the network eight out of 10 – the highest level since May 2014. The frontline teams on the Metro also came out well from the survey with the highest scores ever recorded for helpfulness, knowledge and professionalism.

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Lockdown Walks: West Midlands Metro 22

Posted on Saturday 31 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

And we’re off to Birmingham again for this edition of “Lockdown Walks”.

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Metrolink Eccles line closure extended by a fortnight

Posted on Friday 30 July 2021 by Gareth Prior

There will remain no trams to Eccles for an extra two weeks after the track replacement works which got underway on Monday 19th July were extended. During the works the concrete around the tracks was found to be in a poor condition which has seen a delay to the works which will now continue beyond this weekend with a date of resumption of services now set for Monday 16th August.

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