Could the Stagecoach Supertram line which currently serves the main railway station in Sheffield be diverted to take a new alignment? A new masterplan for the area around Sheffield Railway Station suggests that it could with a diversion from the area in the vicinity of the Granville Road stop to Fitzalan Square with the old alignment around the back of the station with a relocated inner relief road more or less replacing it.
The document outlining these plans states: “The Sheffield Midland Station area offers a transformational regeneration opportunity to drive sustainable and inclusive growth, maximise the benefits of transport investments and improve the lives of people and communities. The area will be the next phase of city centre regeneration, with the potential to create significant economic, environmental and social benefit.”
As mentioned in our introduction the biggest part of the plan as far as the trams are concerned would be a re-routing of the line between Granville Street and the city centre which has often been considered to be “out of the way” as it is at the back of the railway station. This plan certainly avoids that problem as it would be completely rerouted so the current alignment would be abandoned, also bringing an end to the major junction at Park Square.
Running as now from Halfway and Herdings Park to Granville Road adjacent to Sheffield College that is when the route would divert over the railway with new stops then provided at Granville Square and Sheaf Square, for the railway station presumably, before travelling past Sheffield Hallam University and the Bus and Coach Station. It would then head to Fitzalan Square where it would join the current route. The inner relief road would be relocated to the area where the tramway currently runs.
It can’t be put any better than the masterplan itself says: “Placing the tram in the clear line-of-sight of station customers and city users will positively encourage tram travel and linked public transport trips. The new convenient and easy to use tram stops will also improve connectivity with other parts of the city.”
This is very much a long-term masterplan with the suggestion that work would take place in two stages between 2026 and 2033.
The complete project would cost an eyewatering £1.5 billion and would also include regeneration. No mention of where funding may come from are mentioned in the masterplan which can be read on the Sheffield Council website.