Hidden amongst the details of the Northern Powerhouse rail announcement (the headline of which is the plan for a new Manchester to Liverpool railway line) were some positive signs for trams across the north of England as well. Although, as always seems to be the case nothing is funded or indeed fully planned.
In Sheffield the City Council were happy with the announcements – which included a pledge to include railway services in the region – with Cllr Tom Hunt, City Council Leader, saying: “This is great news for Sheffield. Being included in the first phase of the Northern Powerhouse Rail plans means that the early stages of delivery will provide better, faster trains to Leeds and Manchester, upgrades to capacity at Sheffield station and an important commitment from government to work with us on our tram-train expansion.”
No real details of what tram-train expansion this could be are given, although there have been previous hopes and plans for extra lines based on the technology already seen on the Rotherham line.
This has included lines to Stocksbridge, Chesterfield and also serving the Hallamshire Hospital. Exact routes and what these services may contain have scant details but its hoped that the current government’s commitment to looking at these plans may be a positive sign.
- Meanwhile, in Manchester the announcement would include an underground station at Piccadilly for the new line to Liverpool. This could then see underground tram lines put through the city as well, an ambition of Andy Burnham (Mayor of Greater Manchester), albeit one unfunded.