Following the completion of planned rail replacement works in the West Street and University areas and repairs to the hole at the Park Square delta junction all Stagecoach Supertram services returned to normal from Saturday 13th September. This is the first time since early July that trams on the Blue and Yellow routes have been able to reach their respective termini at Malin Bridge and Middlewood.
This phase of rail replacement works on West Street were the last due to take place in 2014 although a third summer of disruption is expected in 2015 as the major works to ensure the future of the Supertram network continue. Over the summer of 2014 4,000 metres of track has been replaced in the Hillsborough, Malin Bridge, Gleadless, Halfway, Woodbourn Road, Fitzalan Square, West Street and Netherthorpe areas. This is just the tip of the iceberg though as by 2024 it is planned that the full 22km route will be replaced.
Margaret Kay, Supertram Managing Director, said: “It’s great news for passengers that this phase of these important rail replacement works has been completed on time. We look forward to returning tram services to normal and would like to thank our customers for their understanding during the project so far. We know that the recent groundworks issue at Park Square has also had an impact on some of our passengers over the past couple of weeks and again, we are grateful for their patience and glad that the necessary work has now been completed to ensure we can resume services in the area.”
The mysterious hole which appeared at Park Square Junction has also now been filled in after contractors from Amey investigated and repaired the damage with a replacement overhead pole noted being installed at this location. This problem had led to trams from Herdings Park and Halfway being forced to terminate at Sheffield Station with a replacement bus eventually put in place between Granville Road and Castle Square (although this was only in place for one of the two weeks of this disruption).
Phase three of the rail replacement works will take place from spring 2015 when it is planned to replace track around the Infirmary Road, Cathedral and City Road areas in central Sheffield.
It might have been disruptive for passengers but the rail replacement works and hole repair work did allow the chance to capture four trams together at Sheffield Station. With 118 in the foreground on standby 102 waits to reverse for Herdings Park with the two platforms also occupied with trams. 12th September 2014. (Photo: Gareth Prior)