MSPs backed the Edinburgh Tram (Line One) Bill by 84 votes to 17 (last week the Line Two was passed by 88 to 20), and covers the line from the city centre to Haymarket, Roseburn, Granton, Leith and back to Princes Street. Powers are now in place for the next 15 years to build both lines, this is necessary as it was revealed earlier this year there would not be enough funding to complete both lines. A map of the new plan can be seen here.

Now that MSPs have given the complete plan the go-ahead the project gets “approved” status and a Business Case is due to be presented in the autumn.

Michael Howell, Chief Executive of tie, said: “This is a superb result – bringing us an important step closer to providing a world-class tram network to Edinburgh. It is vital that public transport supports improved access to work and leisure opportunities for the people of Edinburgh, and increased economic growth for the area as a whole – and our plans for a world-class, integrated network will deliver just that.”

Cllr Donald Anderson, Leader of Edinburgh City Council added: ““I’m really pleased that the Parliament has given its backing to a tram system for Edinburgh. It was right that the debate should have happened, that the arguments for and against were heard, and that the soundness of the proposal was accepted. Within the Council there is all-party support for trams and I hope everyone will now get behind our goal to give Edinburgh a world-class transport system and make our city the most sustainable, successful city in Northern Europe by 2020.”

Despite the approval of both Bills the local newspaper in Edinburgh has been looking at the negative aspects of the plan and how money could be wasted if it does not come to fruition. The Bill was voted against by SNP MSPs as they think a redevelopment of Edinburgh Waverley railway station is more of a priority.

Lothians MSP, Kenny MacAskill (SNP), said: “You don't embark on a journey unless you can pay the fare. It's a black hole that we are entering into, and we don't yet know if the business case stacks up. This smacks of trying to force trams upon the city by spending so much money that we reach the point of no return. This is the wrong scheme. It fails to deliver what is needed for Edinburgh and it is not the strategic priority for Scotland, which has to be Waverley station."

The Conservatives, although voting in favour of the bills, are not entirely convinced about the project as Cllr Allan Jackson, their transport spokesman says: “We shouldn't be committing ourselves to something which theoretically might never be built. We would like to see a full report with a detailed layout of expenditure discussed at a full council meeting."

The problem seems to stem from the fact that if the business plan does not persuade Councillors and MSPs that the tram lines should be built then around £60 million will already have been spent on the initial plans.

Tavish Scott MSP, Transport Minister, repeated his view that money further to the already promised £375 million would not be forthcoming: “The transport budget has many calls upon it and I cannot make any commitment that future executive funding will be made available."

It is hoped that if the business case is approved work on moving utilities can commence before the end of this year with trams operating in the Scottish Capital again by 2010.
Source: The Scotsman, BBC News Online & tie

LEEDS 345 LAUNCHED INTO SERVICE AT CRICH
Sunday 2 April 2006

The launch of Leeds 345 took place at Crich Tramway Village on 1st April 2006. Considering the fact that the tram was preserved way back in 1959, and that its launch has been much anticipated for the past few years, the lack of publicity surrounding its official launch was very disappointing, and I suspect that quite a few people will be gutted to find out that they have missed it. Unsurprisingly, the event itself was quite poorly attended - I don't think I've ever known such a quiet day at the Museum, although a number of invited guests boosted the numbers a bit.

Prior to 2:00pm, Leeds cars 180 and 399 were positioned on the depot fan, along with Tower Car 2. The depot doors were shut in front of Leeds 345 - the star of the show. After a great deal of waiting around, the doors were opened up again and 345 burst out into the sunshine, charging through a roll of tickets to be officially launched. A number of speeches followed, and the car's control key was handed over to the TMS by the Tramcar Sponsorship Organisation, who of course funded the restoration. After this various VIPs were invited to board the tram for its special first passenger journey. Normal visitors were allowed to board 180 and 399, and the trio then set off for Glory Mine. 399345 and finally 180, showing the change in liveries through the history of Leeds tramways.

After the ceremonial journey, a cheque was handed over to a TMS representative before Leeds 345 entered passenger service, appropriately driven by Keith Terry of Leeds. 345 is a real beauty, and I hope that she will give many years of reliable service, after having such a long wait to actually run at Crich.
Source and Author: Andrew Waddington

PHIPPS BRIDGE DERAILMENT RAIB REPORT RELEASED
Sunday 2 April 2006
The Rail Accident Investigation Board (RAIB) have released their full report into the derailment of 2530 at Phipps Bridge on the Wimbledon line of Croydon Tramlink on 21 October 2005.

The incident happened when 2530 was travelling eastbound (towards Croydon) as the tramway moves from a single line to double track. It derailed as it passed over the points on the approach to the Phipps Bridge tram stop at 1038. The tram came to a rest about 37 metres beyond the points and none of the 45 passengers, or driver of 2530 suffered any injuries. The passengers were evacuated to the tram stop and after repairs to the minor track damage services resumed over the affected area at 2110.

The report concludes that the immediate cause was the tram driver not reacting to a track-side warning that the points were incorrectly set and failing to stop the tram before reaching the points. Three contributing factors were also involved in the creating the incident:
* the failure of the points to return to normal after the passage of the previous tram
* the failure of the control room staff to alert drivers to the malfunction of the points
* the poor clarity of the points position indicator display when the points are not set correctly

The report gives four recommendations to prevent a similar incident occurring in the future:
* Assessing and improving the clarity of the points indicator where points are not correctly set
* A review of the inspection and maintenance regime for the points
* A joint review of the system for dealing with alarms in the control room
* A review of control room procedures as soon as is practicable to ensure that controllers respond promptly and appropriately to each incident.

TCL have already given their control room staff a formal briefing on the importance of taking action on high-level alarms relating to safety on the system.

A full copy of the report can be found here.
Source: RAIB

IS MIDLAND METRO CITY CENTRE EXTENSION IN DOUBT?
Sunday 2 April 2006
The Birmingham Post have claimed this week that the proposed city centre extension of Midland Metro to Five Ways via New Street is in doubt because of the PTA’s insistence that 15 trams an hour travel the streets. However, this comes in the same week that a press release from Centro (the PTE) that the business case for this, and the extension to Dudley, is nearing readiness for submission to the government.

It has been revealed that the business case should be in a position to be submitted to the government sometime this month after a programme was agreed by Councillors on the West Midlands PTA (WMPTA). At a meeting last week the councillors were told that remaining agreements with developers should be completed by the end of the week after most of the outstanding issues were dealt with a steering group.

Centro are confident that the planned service offering 15 trams an hour through Birmingham city centre is the best solution for passengers and that modern trams will do the most to reduce city centre congestion.

However, the Birmingham Post has reported that Birmingham City Council will not rubber stamp the proposal until Centro provide information showing the impact of 15 trams an hour on the roads of the city centre.

They quote a letter from David Pywell, council strategic director of development, to the Director General of Centro, Rob Donald, where it makes it clear the Council have doubts over the viability of the scheme.

He says: “We can't keep dancing around this issue. The modelling information needs to be completed and analysed and we need technical solutions (if there are any) that I can recommend to my members. I am prepared to do that but it is not possible at the moment. The business case assumes 15 trams an hour to Edgbaston. We have been waiting for weeks for the modelling work to decide how this can be coped with, if at all, and we haven't yet got it."

The reason that this debate puts the whole city centre line into doubt is because the only way the extension can be passed by government cost benefit analysis is by running 15 trams an hour, not the 10 originally suggested. The problem is that trams would be passing junctions every 2 minutes rather than ever 3, causing difficulties at Broad Street and Paradise Circus.

Cllr Len Gregory, cabinet member of transportation and the Conservative councillor for Billesley said: “We are waiting for the data from Centro and until we get that we cannot take an objective view of whether this scheme is value for money. We have to look at the wider impact on junctions close to the route. If you are having trams crossing junctions every two minutes then that is clearly going to have a major effect on a road network that is already facing serious congestion difficulties."

However, a spokesman from Centro was confident that there would be no problems with the business case. He said: “We are confident that further modelling work being completed by council officers will be sufficient to submit an approved plan to the Government. It is our firm belief that 15 trams an hour is the best solution for passengers and that modern trams running every few minutes will do the most to reduce congestion in the city centre."

The business case will be discussed at a full council meeting at the end of the month. This will be for the city centre line to Five Ways and also the extension to Dudley.

* Both of the lines involved in this business case have been included in the latest version of the West Midlands Local Transport Plan which was also revealed this week.
Source: icBirmingham & Centro

COMPLETE NET SYSTEM CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE
Sunday 2 April 2006
The entire Nottingham Express Transit system was shut today for essential engineering works and the removal of a Network Rail bridge at David Lane. Buses were used instead, although this would not be able to cope with a normal Sunday passenger level and so people were advised not to travel if at all possible.

NET were committing their full engineering resource, supplemented by specialists from across the country, to carry out several essential works. The main one of these was to treat a stretch of damaged overhead line near Basford tram stop. The overhead is also being attended to near to Highbury Vale.

Other work being attempted during the day is general maintenance to track and points across the system, moving a tram stop shelter at Butler’s Hill to improve CCTV visibility of the stop and repairs to the tramstop edgings in the city centre.

NET Engineering Manager Clive Pennington said: “We apologise to our loyal passengers for this inconvenience.  However, we are very pleased with the level of reliability achieved over the past two years and this shutdown will help us to ensure that these levels of reliability continue.”
Source: NET & This is Nottingham

RAIB RELEASE REPORT INTO BLACKPOOL RUNAWAYS
Sunday 2 April 2006
The Rail Accident Investigation Board have this week released their joint report into three separate runaway incidents on the tramway in November and December last year, whilst single line operation was in use between Gynn Square and North Pier.

The first incident occurred on 21 November and involved Centenary 644 travelling south at North Pier. 644 was leaving the single line section and the driver had just started the tram when the controller handle became detached. The driver could not replace the handle and so he attempted to apply the emergency brake. However, this did not work and the tram continued to move until the gradient levelled out and it came to a stop. It was decided that the immediate cause of this incident was the poor condition of the tram controller housing.

Incident number two was on 3 December at Gynn Square. This involved sister Centenary 646, which was also travelling south. The driver left his cab to change ends for the reversal over the points and as he was moving through the tram it started to move. It hit the single line barrier having travelled 5 metres, the driver then applied the emergency brake and the tram stopped.

The final incident also involved 646 and was again at Gynn Square, this time on 10 December. Following the completion of the reversal manoeuvre the driver moved the tram forward around 10 metres and then tried to stop, to allow a member of staff to get off. The tram did not respond to the application of the service brake and so had to use the emergency brake to get the tram to stop.

All three incidents involved different drivers with the second and third incidents being put down to the design of the tram controller housing.

The report gives four recommendations into preventing these kind of incidents again, all of which have already been implemented by Blackpool Transport:
* Full briefing of drivers about the correct procedure when changing ends
* Lagging of air pipes to reduce the risk of the braking system freezing
* A modification of the controller end cover
* A review of the inspection and maintenance procedures for the controllers

The full report, released by the RAIB, can be found here.
Source: RAIB

TfL’S LEGAL ACTION AGAINST TCL THROWN OUT
Sunday 2 April 2006
A High Court Judge has thrown out Transport for London’s attempt to get Tramtrack Croydon Limited (TCL) to increase passenger numbers on the Tramlink system, calling it “absurd”.

TfL were trying to get TCL to either lengthen existing trams or order new ones to increase the number of passengers travelling on the system from the current 22 million. Judge Justice Tomlinson said that as stated in its contract TCL should be free to exercise its judgement to determine how best to maintain standards of efficiency and reliability of the network.

The Managing Director of TCL, Paul Dawson said: “We felt it was important to establish as correct our interpretation of the contract with TfL. An adverse ruling would have had serious implications for all those investing through PPP initiatives such as those involved with the London Underground as it would have cast doubt on the terms of their agreements, increased their risks and reduced their capacity to invest in infrastructure. We now look forward to working more closely with TfL to continue to deliver to our customers a successful and efficient tram service and hope to foster a relationship with TfL based on trust and co-operation, rather than litigation."

In response to the ruling from the Judge, a spokesman from TfL commented: “It's a disappointing result, though perhaps not unexpected. What we were trying to do was to work with Tramtrack to see if they could increase the capacity. They stuck firmly to the letter of their contract and the judge agreed that they were entitled to do so. We're trying to look years ahead to see if there is any flexibility on their behalf and see what options are open to us."

Roger Harding, General Manager of TCL added: “When we set the contract up it was done on the basis that we were left to our own devices because we put up half the cost of the system."

As has been reported previously, tenders have been requested for a new tram in connection with a revised tram timetable following the opening of the new stop at Centrale.
Source: Croydon Guardian & icCroydon

TWIGG SAYS HE WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HISTORICALNESS OF BLACKPOOL TRAMWAY
Sunday 2 April 2006
Derek Twigg, Transport Minister, has said that he understands the historical nature of the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway and will take this into consideration along with the economic reasons when making a decision on the bid for the £88 million upgrade.

Mr Twigg was speaking at Parliament following questioning from Blackpool South MP, Gordon Marsden. Mr Marsden said: “The Blackpool scheme should not be regarded as a blue-sky scheme. It must not be seen as part of the network of assorted light rail proposals that have been submitted to the Department for Transport in recent years, however worthy they may be. For my constituents, this bid is an essential bread-and-butter – or perhaps, as we are talking about Blackpool, I should say fish-and-chips – component of public transport.

In response, Mr Twigg said: “To do nothing in the next few years would mean that it could no longer operate in the way that it has been doing for many years. The advice that I received from the regional bodies gives priority to the refurbishment of the tramway to help the economic regeneration of Blackpool. I have also had a representation from the North West regional assembly supporting the scheme. Any decisions on the projects prioritised by the regional bodies will be made in due course. We will take account of their views in our final decision on spend within the regional transport allocations. That will include their views on the timing of any funding provision as well as the amount. I understand that there is a great deal of interest in the tramway in Blackpool. Obviously, I am not in a position to make and give a decision at the moment, but I listened carefully to my honourable friend, and I am grateful for the opportunity to do that."

Mr Marsden added: “For us in Blackpool and on the Fylde coast, the tramway – and its survival and renewal – is not tourism frippery or an end-of-the-pier show. The bid is a core funding proposal for something that is essential to the future functioning of public transport in Blackpool and on the Fylde coast, and that is the basis on which I ask the minister to approve the scheme urgently. "

The bid for upgrading the tramway is asking for just £72 million from central Government and will see a fleet of modern trams used for the bulk of the service. These are expected to be first Skoda trams to be used in the UK.
Source: Blackpool Today