The Light Rail Safety Standards Board (LRSSB) has praised the work of Edinburgh Trams following the successful launch of services on the Trams to Newhaven extension in June. They worked closely with the operator ahead of the opening of the line to assess its readiness for the tram service to begin.
In their review the LRSSB found that the operational tram was ready for the launch, with all relevant safety management system processes and risk assessments correctly reviewed, assessed and updated. They also found that all employees and contractors received sufficient materials, knowledge and training before all the new systems were handed over to them.
Carl Williams is the LRSSB Chief Executive and he said: “Over the past few months, the Edinburgh Trams team has worked exceptionally hard to ensure services on the new line meet the very highest safety standards, and they should be proud of their achievements. Our Operational Readiness Review also found that the use of virtual reality technology has provided a comprehensive and inclusive tool for describing and tracking progress against a wider master programme. This approach provided a ‘proven’ process that has been used successfully on other network expansion projects.”
As part of the extension a new overhead line and tensioning system, an interlocked semi-motorised scissors crossing turnback at Newhaven terminus and two additional manual turnbacks at Balfour Street and Ocean Terminal were highlighted in the report as were new road junctions and associated signalling and crossings.
Speaking following the findings of the LRSSB, Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams Managing Director, said: “We invited the LRSSB to carry out the review as safety has been of paramount importance throughout the entire project, and we are delighted that it found we had met all the expected safety standards and excelled in many areas. We would also like to thank the LRSSB for all the help its experts have provided to ensure the launch of the new route was as safe as it was successful.”