| News | Features | Comment | Fleet Lists | Gallery | Hall of Fame | Restoration | Tram of the Year | Diary of Events | Links | Message Board | Site Updates | About the Site | How You Can Help | Email us | |
| News...April 2005...News...April 2005...News...April 2005...News This Page was last updated Sunday 24 April 2005 |
| All the news carried on these pages is done so in good faith and the source is always quoted, normally with hyperlinks. If you have a correction to give us on a news story or have any additional news that can be added do not hestiate to email us . We are grateful for those people who have given us permission to use their images and news on this page. |
|
For all previous news pages click here to go to the new News Index page which provides links to news dating back to September 2002. |
|
News In Brief Birkenhead: Lisbon 730 has been towed out of the depot for the first time to enable it to move line 2. This movement was so Wallasey 78 can be prepared for lifting for wheel re-profiling. This is believed to be first time that a Lisbon car has turned a wheel with a standard gauge truck. Photos of this movement can be found on the official MTPS website – link below. (24/4/05 - MTPS) Blackpool: Brush 622 has been the first tram to be reintroduced into service after mothballing. 622 was used on specials earlier this week. It is believed the tram has been used due to its advertising contract for Glyngary Windows. (24/4/05 - Paul Turner from Yahoo! Groups Blackpool_Transport) ------------------------------------------------- Blackpool: Balloon 700 has returned to service fitted with a pantograph. This follows a dewirement with its trolley over Easter. It is hoped that the tram may now see more use during the 2005 season.(17/4/05 - Paul Turner from Yahoo! Groups Blckpool_Transport) Liverpool: Not previously reported is the award of £4.2 million towards the preparatory costs of Merseytram Line One. This will enable Merseytravel to continue work on the proposed tram scheme and recognises the significant costs the City has incurred in order to gain greater confidence in the scheme's final cost. The full approval for the scheme will not be given until there is confidence in the final costs and allocation of risks. (17/4/05 - Department for Transport) Liverpool: As reported last week the livery for trams will be grey and yellow - a picture of this can be found here. (17/4/05 - Merseytram) Sheffield: Due to the demolition of Grange Towers on Sunday 24 April Supertram services are disrupted. Between 11am and 12.45pm trams will not stop at Park Grange tramstop whilst from 11.45am and 12.15pm trams will not run in either direction on Park Grange road. In addition on Monday 2 May a Sunday service will be in operation. (17/4/05 - Stagecoach Supertram) ------------------------------------------------- Blackpool: The major trackwork around Manchester Square is now resuming for four weeks, this time concentrating on replacing straight pieces of track that are connected to the points along Lytham Road. During the work road traffic, as well as trams, will have to be diverted. All work should be completed by early May. (10/4/05 - Blackpool Council) Blackpool: A tram was wrapped in a Make Poverty History wristband this week during the NUS annual conference taking part in the town. Attending were the Action for Southern Africa group along with the Blackpool Action force group who wish to make the resort a fair trade town. (10/4/05 - Blackpool Today) DLR: Ever fancied working on the DLR? Now is your chance! Today (Sunday 10) and Tomorrow (Monday 11) Serco DLR are appearing at the Careers & Jobs Live exhibition at ExCeL looking to recruit. They are currently on the look out for 30 Passenger Service Agents to manage the increased journeys when the London City Airport extension opens in December. Entry is free to the event. (10/4/05 - DLR) London: Charlie King, from Coulsdon, has been reappointed as joint deputy Chairman of the London Transport Users Committee (LTUC). The LTUC’s main role is to deal with passengers frustrations and to investigate ways of improving existing services whilst liaising with TfL. (10/4/05 - Croydon Guardian) Manchester: 1007’s internal LED Passenger Information Displays have now been programmed for use on the Bury/Piccadilly/Altrincham services and have been noted in use. 1013 and 1014 are still stored at the depot whilst 1015 and 2005 appear to still be away from Manchester. (10/4/05 - Gordon Ferguson) Sheffield: A transit van collided with a tram on Friday (8 April) morning at West Street in the city centre. A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police confirmed that the van driver and front seat passenger were treated for minor injuries. Accident investigators are looking at the cause of the crash which saw the road blocked and shut for an hour. (10/4/05 - BBC News Online) West London: An article appearing on the Ealing Times website this week says that an alternative to the tram is needed following the mixed results of the Public Consultation. The journalist behind the article would rather see the train service improved between Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing, Ealing Broadway and Acton to take people away from the buses. The full article can be found be following the link below.(10/4/05 - Ealing Times) ------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: The Brierley Hill Midland Metro extension moved a step forward this week with the signing of a partnership agreement before construction. Partners will sign up to their individual roles on delivering funding, construction, operation and maintenance of the route. (3/4/05 - icBirmingham) Croydon: Police are seeking witnesses to an assault on a Ticket Inspector on 11 March. The incident happened at around 3.20pm at the Arena tram stop on Line 2 (Beckenham Junction) service. A 28 year old man, Dwayne Mclennon, has been arrested and remanded in custody accused of the assault and he will appear before Croydon Crown Court on 20 May. (3/4/05 - Croydon Guardian) Seaton: Next Saturday (9 April) will see tram 19 used on regular services to mark the centenary of Exeter trams. This tram was of course originally an Exeter tram until it was scaled down a few years ago. It will depart Seaton at 1106, 1206, 1346, 1446 and 1546. Allan Gardner will be at the Seaton terminus at 1500 to explain the tram restoration. (3/4/05 - Seaton Tramway) ------------------------------------------------- |
|
POLITICIANS CONTINUE TO USE MANCHESTER’S METROLINK Sunday 24 April 2005 The General Election in the UK is now under two weeks away and in Manchester this week senior politicians from the two main parties have come out in support of the “Big Bang” Metrolink extensions. Firstly, Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott came out in support last Saturday (16 April) during a visit to Rochdale. Mr Prescott said: “We think it is so important, we have it in our manifesto to hold to that commitment of over half a billion pounds and then for Manchester and the authorities to get together and reshape it to see how we can get the extension. We have already put the money in, more than anyone else, and we will continue with our commitment.'' Rochdale is of course one of the areas which would benefit from Metrolink extensions. Then on Wednesday, Conservative leader Michael Howard made mention of Metrolink whilst in Bolton. Mr Howard said: “The Labour Party has handled the whole thing pretty badly. The people of Manchester should feel let down. We would strive to find the funding to make it possible. It is what the people of Manchester want." As opposed to Rochdale, Bolton is not currently scheduled to receive Metrolink extensions. Then finally on Friday, Prime Minister Tony Blair claimed that the Metrolink “Big Bang” would get the go-ahead. Mr Blair was interviewed on his Battle Bus by the Manchester Evening News during a visit to Rochdale. He was directly asked whether he was personally behind the extensions and his reply was “Yes I am”. He was then challenged as to whether the project would go-ahead: “Yes it will. We have got to get the proper plans in place but we are working on that. We have supported this from the beginning. What changed was the tripling of the cost." He also suggested that further funding would be forthcoming from the Transport Innovation Fund, he said: “There will be people going for it, but the Metrolink has got a very strong case.” In reply to these comments from Mr Blair, the Chairman of the GMPTA Roger Jones said: “The Labour party is the only party to have put Metrolink in its manifesto. If the prime minister is now taking that a step further and saying he is committed to the Big Bang, or the three lines, I am delighted. That gets us one step further forward." Source: Manchester Online MORE ARGUMENTS IN LIVERPOOL Sunday 24 April 2005 Thought it had all gone a little quiet in Liverpool between Merseytravel and the City Council? Well the Council have started another row, this time over Line 2’s construction. Three Liberal Democrat Councillors have placed a motion before the Council meeting on Wednesday 27 April calling for the Council to refuse permission to allow construction of Line 2 through any of the city’s precious green spaces. Councillor Frank Doran (for the Botanic Park area) has submitted the proposal and said: “My motion calls for the council not to sell off any park land to Merseytravel for the tram and to inform Merseytravel that no green space in Botanic Park will be available for the tram. Botanic Park is one of the oldest in the city - in 1886 they held the Crystal Palace of the North there - and it is of unique value. The current options for the tram route would involve either taking a slice at the Botanic Road end, where the children's play area is or, if they take the Edge Lane option, to take some land from the area where the walled Botanic Gardens are located. We are saying that is not acceptable - frankly they can get stuffed. I very much hope my motion will be adopted unanimously by the council." His two colleagues Jimmy Kendrick and Richard Marbow have supported his proposal. Neil Scales, Chief Executive of Merseytravel said in reply: “We've been in discussions with Liverpool City Council officers on various options for the routing of the tram in this area. This work is still in progress and some of the options involve the loss of green space, some do not." The previous week Liverpool’s cabinet heard a report from officers outlining a total of 90 concerns they still had with Merseytravel’s plans for Line 2. They also complained that the PTA were refusing to meet them to discuss their concerns and that they were happy to let them be sorted at the Public Inquiry. A Merseytravel spokesman refuted this allegation: “Since January 1 alone, we have had 31 meetings with the city council and since last November it is probably about 50." Source: icLiverpool ROCHDALE TO GET METROLINK EXTENSION FIRST? Sunday 24 April 2005 It appears that a new blueprint for the future extensions of Manchester’s Metrolink may see separate contracts put out to tender for the three lines as opposed to one large contract. Transport bosses in Manchester are not revealing which line would be the first to be constructed although the Manchester Evening News think that the Oldham and Rochdale line would be favourite as the government would have to find money to keep the heavy rail line maintained if Metrolink was not extended this way. The report also says that the South Manchester and Airport route is likely to be the last to be built as the area is already well served by road and rail links. The Metrolink Project Director Geoff Inskip said: “We recognise that the funding will come in sections over a much longer period. What we need to do is say with line one, let’s go out and build that first. We have deliberately not said which number relates to which line yet because we need to set up a working group to discuss that.” This new plan has been revealed in a dossier from the GMPTE which is now to be presented to the DfT for approval. If it is approved the hope is that by the end of this month a programme of activity will have been agreed. Source: Manchester Online MAN TRAPPED UNDER TRAM IN SHEFFIELD Sunday 24 April 2005 There was drama in Sheffield on Wednesday night when a 34 year old man managed to get almost completely trapped under a tram in Attercliffe. A team of 30 fire-fighters were called to the incident in Shirland Lane at around 8.15pm and Stagecoach Supertram’s specialist lifting equipment was used to help jack up the tram to release the man. It is not known how the incident happened but the local police are reviewing CCTV. A Police spokeswoman said: “Getting trapped underneath the tram is very serious, if not fatal. He was eight feet underneath it so he has had a lucky escape." Firefighter Steve Hickey said: “He was breathing and conscious throughout but he was completely underneath the tram – he couldn't have got much further under it. It does look like he's broken his leg badly but he is incredibly lucky." Tram services were back running normally by Thursday (21 April) morning. Source: Sheffield Today & BBC News Online KEY MERSEYTRAM SUPPORTER DIES Sunday 24 April 2005 Councillor George Howard, vice-chairman of Merseytravel and chairman of the Merseytram committee died of a heart attack on Wednesday (20 April) in the Merseytravel officers. Councillor Howard was a huge enthusiast of bringing trams back to Liverpool. Councillor Mark Dowd, Merseytravel Chairman, was deeply shocked at his death: “Merseytram became the major project in his life. George was totally committed and worked tirelessly towards making it a reality. We will continue that work on his behalf and Merseytram will be our lasting tribute to him." A spokesman for Keolis, the company selected to operate Merseytram for the next 25 years said: “George Howard was always an absolute pleasure to work with. He will be greatly missed." Source: icLiverpool METROLINK: THE POLITICAL FOOTBALL Sunday 17 April 2005 With the UK General Election only a matter of weeks away campaigning has started in earnest in the past week. In Manchester the Metrolink “Big Bang” plans are proving to be a major part of these campaigns. The only one of the main Political Parties who have mentioned Metrolink specifically is the Labour Party. The Labour candidate for Withington, Keith Bradley, who was instrumental in getting talks with Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling after funding was refused for Metrolink last July, has attacked the Liberal Democrats for failing to mention Metrolink in their manifesto. He said: “We have pledged to spend £520m on helping Manchester Metrolink's big bang. Neither the Tories nor the Liberal Democrats have made this specific commitment. The Liberal Democrats claim they would pay for Metrolink but this has been exposed as yet another hollow promise. They promise all things to all people but the small print doesn't stand up to inspection. Only Labour has given a manifesto guarantee on Metrolink and voters across Greater Manchester need to be aware that only Labour can be trusted to deliver." However, Tony Dawson, Liberal Democrat candidate for Oldham East and Saddleworth countered this: “Tony Blair's latest words on the Metrolink fiasco are nothing new and they do not advance the project one bit. Despite the good efforts of the Passenger Transport Executive there's still confusion over the eventual size of the project, whether bits such as the Oldham town centre loop will be cut out, and what the timescale will be." He added: “The French have built their Lyon Metrolink in three years from start to finish. Labour in Britain takes four years to take it from one worthless manifesto to another." Source: Manchester Online KENNEDY BACKS TRAMLINK EXTENSION PLAN Sunday 17 April 2005 Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has said that if the Lib Dems get into government they would back extensions to the Croydon Tramlink network. He told the Sutton Guardian: “Extending the tram network is something we support in principle. The problem is Ken Livingstone does not have the resources at present. We are identifying things that the current Government is spending money on which we would not be spending money, for example identity cards. That money could be better spent elsewhere and the tram network is but one example." He made these comments during a whistle stop tour of Sutton last week and said that funds would be made available if he was in power. The Sutton Guardian is currently trying to gauge people’s reactions to the proposed extensions, you can give yours by going to their website and clicking on Tramlink extensions (link below). Source: Sutton Guardian CROYDON TRAMLINK NEWS UPDATE Sunday 17 April 2005 The New Addington route reopened as far as Lloyd Park on 4 April, as originally planned. The Lloyd Park site has been almost completely finished with only the foot crossing requiring full replacement. Additional drainage has been installed at this location and the line was tampered at the end of the previous week with the tamper from Gravel Hill being delivered in the middle of the morning rush hour, causing traffic chaos as the lorry was blocking the local roads! The remaining parts of the New Addington line re-opened the following Monday (11 April) with the trackbed replacement and track relaying having been completed in the days leading up to this date. The line between Addington Village and New Addington will be closed for 5 weeks during the school summer holidays to enable the complete replacement of track and trackbed. Further trackwork is scheduled over the Late May Bank Holiday weekend on the curve from Station Road to Wellesley Road. The track here is likely to be shut for 2 days with trams either being stabled to the east of Croydon or being escorted by the Police wrong line via Crown Hill. Due to the high use of this curve it was only expected that the track would last for 5 years. In addition to these engineering works a weekend closure is expected of the Wimbledon line from Phipps Bridge to Wimbledon (wet beds and tamping) and an overnight closure is likely over the underpass at Wellesley Road where a 25kph TSR has recently been introduced. Elsewhere on Tramlink, the lights in Sandilands Tunnel have finally been replaced – after approximately 3 years out of use. The PID at Merton Park (Wimbledon bound) has been reported as being out of order for the past 6 weeks. Tramlink say that they are waiting for a part before repairs can be undertaken. On Wednesday 23 March there was a minor RTA involving 2537 and a bus westbound at Chepstow Road. 2537 was confronted by a pair of buses travelling eastbound, the second of which was tailgating the first and managed to take off the trams mirror and front side marker lights and also smashed the covers of the side orange marker lights. The tram returned to service after the new parts were fitted. The last report from Croydon included mention of rough riding around Arena. It has now been reported that this is down to the trams as opposed to the track. The similar trams in Cologne have suffered problems with a mechanical failure of the traction motor rotor winding, with the result that the motors go out of balance. Bombardier (responsible for maintenance) are investigating and will make repairs as and when necessary. For more on these stories and more news from Croydon visit the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink website. Source: Unofficial Croydon Tramlink TRAM TEAMS HELPING CHARITY Sunday 17 April 2005 Four Manchester Metrolink workers are to travel to Sri Lanka to help with rebuilding a community after the devastating Tsunami. The four are to spend a week at Hikkaduwa near Gaul in Sri Lanka in June and applied for a company wide scheme set up by Serco after the Boxing Day disaster. The four are, Carole Mason (Health and Safety adviser), Nick Phillips (IT Manager), Angela Salloway (training officer) and Alan Fitton (Revenue Inspector). Serco are paying for £1,075 cost of their flights and accommodation and the team members will raise £500 to put into the charity’s aid effort. Serco donated £100,000 to the Tsunami disaster fund within 48 hours of the disaster and challenged employees to match it – so far a total of £199,000 has been raised. Meanwhile in Nottingham NET staff have formed a team to take part in the three peaks challenge to raise money for The Railway Children. They will attempt to climb Scaffel Pike, Snowdon and Ben Nevis – the highest mountains in England, Wales and Scotland respectively in just 48 hours! The challenge commences on 24 June at 1am. If anyone would like to help support the team visit www.justgiving.com/tram. Source: Manchester Online & Nottingham Express Transit COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE REPORTS REVEALED Sunday 10 April 2005 This week not one but two Commons Transport Select Committee reports were released into the public domain. These follow several weeks of evidence from interested parties throughout the UK on the future of light rail. The first, and main report, of the week was titled “Integrated Transport: the Future of Light Rail and Modern Trams in the United Kingdom” and was largely critical of the process and the time it took to get schemes off the ground throughout the UK. Gwyneth Dunwoody, chair of the Committee admitted that trams were not the answer for everything but said: “they certainly aren't anywhere near as crackpot as some people would have us believe. The Government takes a long time to make decisions, the private sector is supposed to bear the risks and then everyone seems surprised those risks have a price attached." The reports summary states: “We are in no doubt that light rail has the potential to be an important part of the transport mix, although it will not meet all transport needs. It needs to be part of an integrated transport system, and its development needs to involve not just highway authorities, but local planning authorities, if it is to be fully effective.” It goes on to say that the Private sector should not have to deal with all the revenue risk alone as this pushes costs up to unacceptable levels. The number of staff involved at the DfT is currently said to be around 10 and the reports says that this doesn’t necessarily have to be increased but rather the expertise in the department does need to be improved. The main recommendations in the report include: * The Department must build up its own expertise on light rail, and share that expertise with promoters. * The Department must engage wholeheartedly with bodies such as UKTram which are trying to drive down costs by increasing standardisation and sharing experience. * The Department must give clear guidance about the circumstances in which it is prepared to consider light rail schemes. * The Department must accept that the time it takes to consider schemes, and the fact that even once approval in principle is given funding remains uncertain, itself adds considerably to project costs. It must adhere to its new four month limit for considering schemes. * The Department must urgently reconsider the contribution utilities make to the diversion of their services. Their contribution should be high enough to deter them from demanding unnecessary works. * The Department must give local authorities more powers over their bus services. * In the longer term, central Government may wish to consider whether local authorities should have greater powers to raise their own resources to fund local transport infrastructure. There has of course been reaction from many light rail centres in the UK and here is a brief look at some of these reactions: Leeds: Metro’s Director General Kieran Preston said: “This report reinforces what we in Leeds have been saying for a long time. It recognises that new tram schemes are extremely popular with the public and have been successful at luring motorists from their cars on to public transport, therefore combating congestion. Like last year's National Audit Office report it calls for a rethink on where financial risks of tram schemes should lie and says they should be shared along the lines of our revised proposals unveiled last November. This report echoes what we have been saying all along, including the fact that on the right routes trams can be significantly more cost-effective than bus alternatives, and will I hope encourage the DfT to give Leeds Supertram the go-ahead, before our powers elapse and the scheme is further delayed by default." Manchester: The committee demanded that the government have approval within days to a £100m plan to modernise the tram network in Greater Manchester as a gesture of faith in the “Big Bang” proposals (this obviously will not happen with the calling of the General Election). Roger Jones, chairman of the GMPTA was pleased with the report and said: “The report backs up what we have been saying all along. Britain's new generation of trams have proved a massive hit with the public and crucially with the motorists, who have switched over in massive numbers. Metrolink is a prime example.” His comments were echoed by Chris Mulligan, Chief Executive of the GMPTE: “The report stresses planning and procurement of new schemes has resulted in too many delays and cost hikes. Our plans have fallen victim to those processes." Midland Metro: Councillor Gary Clarke, WMPTA chairman said: “If the Government takes these findings on board we can clear up some of the uncertainty. "It could even lead to Britain adopting some of the cheaper and faster construction methods used on mainland Europe.” In addition Rob Donald, Director General of Centro (the PTE) said: “We need a DfT framework that considers the options, gives value for money and leads to a good deal for passengers - but then allows us to build tram lines cheaper and quicker. This inquiry has highlighted some very important truths that must be aired if we are to deliver an integrated transport system with the same speed and efficiency of other European countries." Nottingham: The report praised NET particularly its partnerships between planners and promoters along with the integration with bus services. It was not totally positive however, as the report said they were concerned by complaints from traders in Hyson Green that feeder buses to the tram network had replaced direct routes to the city centre. Pat Armstrong, the project leader for NET, said: “I have seen the report and it's quite pleasing - it does recognise that light rail is an important part of major cities transport networks for the future. Certainly everyone's watching us - we get a huge number of visitors coming to Nottingham to see how we've been doing it. The government's listened to us and asked us a lot of questions about how we're doing and what's particular about Nottingham. I do think we are being put forward as a standard." The second report of the week was “'Improving public transport in England through light rail” and this was published by the Commons Select Committee of Public Accounts. This report was again critical of the government in delays in approving systems which led to huge cost increases. The report said: “The department did not act soon enough when problems with the design and delivery of systems started to appear and costs started to escalate. It was not until 2000, after Metrolink was in operation, that design problems were recognised. The private sector operators of Manchester Metrolink made significant financial losses in 2001 and 2002." The main conclusion from the report was that the DfT should develop a strategy for the development of light rail as part of an integrated transport network. In addition they want to see the length of time in saying yes or no to schemes should be reduced to try and keep costs down. The committee also said that the government are unlikely to reach their target of 25 new tram lines by 2010. Kieran Preston from Metro added about this report: “I'm pleased that MPs have recognised the benefits that light rail can bring to Leeds. Metro shares the committees recommendations about the ways that light rail projects can be delivered faster, better and cheaper, in particular simpler and more cost effective procurement, greater standardisation, and cutting the cost of utility diversions. The main task of the recently established UK Tram, which brings together the industry and promoters, will be to make sure the benefits from new light rail schemes are maximised, while simultaneously reducing the costs.” The report also revealed that Manchester Metrolink’s Phase 2 line to Eccles was the most expensive to build per kilometre in the UK. It cost £21.2m per km with NET coming second in the list with a cost of £12.6m per kilometre. The average cost for light rail lines in the UK was revealed as £10.2m per kilometre. Although lines were built at different times the figures were worked out on 2003/4 prices. If you want to view the reports you can find them here and here. Source: Parliament, Leeds Supertram, icBirmingham, Manchester Online, BBC News Online & This is Nottingham THREE ON MOVE FROM CRICH Sunday 10 April 2005 It has been agreed that the Glasgow 1100, Leeds 600 and Sheffield 46 will be leaving the Crich Tramway Village in order to make room for new arrivals and restoration projects. These three trams have been selected as they “represent, in their present form, the least historical evidence of the development of the tramcar as a public vehicle, both in the UK and within their respective cities.” The decision was taken by a special committee an approved by the Board at a recent meeting. The Clay Cross store has recently seen the arrival of Oporto C65, a former Coal Transporter, with this tram arriving from the Oporto Tramway Museum reserve collection on 15 March. Meanwhile completing proposed tram movements, Blackpool Brush 298 is now expected to be transferred from Salford to Crich during May. It is now being considered how to operate recent arrival Halle 902 with the pantograph from the Berlin Works Car likely to be fitted instead of its own double strip head pantograph. Operating rules are currently being formulated and a senior team from Ricon (who are to provide the wheelchair lift) are to visit the Museum soon. Meanwhile Leeds 345 has now had its seat cushions delivered and it is planned to be upholster these with moquette shortly. Liverpool 869 has had to be withdrawn with a defective compressor whilst Sheffield 74’s replacement leaf springs have now arrived and are in the process of being fitted. In total nineteen trams have been commissioned for the forthcoming 2005 season. Source: Contact from the Tramway Museum Society BUILDER OF MERSEYTRAM REVEALED Sunday 10 April 2005 It was this week revealed that the M-PACT consortium of GrantRail Limited and Laing O’Rourke JV are the Preferred Bidders to build Merseytram Line One. This part of the Merseytram had to be readvertised after Neil Scales, Chief Executive of Merseytravel, rejected the original builders, Balfour Beatty after he decided they did not represent best value. Speaking about the decision Mr Scales said: “My decision to go out to tender again has been totally vindicated. We're on budget, within timescale and, with Laing O'Rourke already working in the city centre, we've sorted out a lot of the interface questions.” Laing are currently working on the Grosvenor redevelopment in Liverpool city centre. Both members of the M-PACT consortium have joint experience of light rail projects in the UK, being involved in Manchester Metrolink and Midland Metro. Gren Edwards, Chief Executive from GrantRail said: “This award is great news for GrantRail/Laing O’Rourke (M-PACT JV), it is the culmination of a tremendous effort on the part of both our companies to attain this position. It represents a landmark for us in that it demonstrates the capability of the Group to undertake and manage a major complex contract as Prime Contractor.” Meanwhile Mike Robins, the Laing O’Rourke Civil Engineering Group Business Leader added: “This is a major achievement for them in successfully bidding for this prestigious project. The MerseyTram management have been receptive to innovative ideas which has brought competitive, value added engineering solutions to the whole project proposal. We have extensive experience in successfully delivering light rail schemes and look forward to developing the integrated delivery team with the Client and Professional Team to ensure project success for 2008”. The Liverpool Daily Post report that the awarding of the contract to M-PACT represents a saving of at least £5 million, when compared to the contract that Balfour Beatty were to sign. It is expected that work on construction may now start as soon as 1 July, after the contract is finalised on 9 May. GrantRail and Laing O’Rourke join Keolis (operator) and Parsons Brinckerhoff (designers) as the consortium charged with bringing Merseytram to life – both of whom remain committed to the scheme. Roger Harrison, project director for Keolis said: “We designed the consortium to be flexible so, if there were any issues with programme or cost, we could adapt. It became obvious we were going to have to go out and market test and we supported Neil Scales on that. We're prepared to work with anybody - the important thing is that we get a very good quality system which we can operate efficiently for the next 28 years." In other news from Liverpool in the past week it has been revealed that the trams, likely to be built by Bombardier, are to be finished in a Yellow and Grey livery. These are the colours of the Merseytravel. Bombardier are hoping to finalise their deal with Merseytravel within the next two months. It has also been revealed that a planning application has been submitted for the tram depot at Gillmoss, which will include a Park and Ride site for 750 cars. Neil Scales also added: “The past six days has seen some big mile-stones in the progress of Merseytram beginning with a £4.2 million grant towards the cost of groundworks which we have already undertaken. I regard this as a massive vote of confidence in our scheme. Its now all systems go.” If everything goes according to plan trams will be in service from Autumn 2007. Source: icLiverpool, Merseytravel & GrantRail CAPACITY DLR PUBLIC INQUIRY CLOSES Sunday 10 April 2005 The Public Inquiry into significantly increasing capacity on the DLR between Bank and Lewisham closed on 29 March following an adjournment on 3 March. Originally 69 objections and 101 letters of support were received but by time that the Inquiry closed only 6 objections were outstanding. Of these objectors only one actually appeared before the inquiry and this was a matter relating to a separate Listed Building Consent application. The capacity enhancement would see 3 car trains used on this route and would require the procurement of 18 new units as well as viaduct strengthening and platform extensions (currently very few platforms have the capability to hold more than two car units). The stations at Bank, Canary Wharf, Heron Quays and Island Gardens would not need lengthening whilst the station at Cutty Sark would not be lengthened with an application made for selective door opening. In addition South Quay station would be relocated 200 metres to the east, with the current station remaining open until this was completed. The project is expected to cost £125 million and is to be funded by the TfL’s five-year £10 billion Investment Programme. In order to house the new units Beckton depot will have to be expanded with new sidings and upgrading of the power, lighting and CCTV facilities. The Government are expected to respond to the Public Inquiry in September of this year and if this is positive three car trains could be running by Autumn 2009 – with a construction period of 2 and a half years. Source: Docklands Light Railway GREAT ORME REOPENS AFTER MAJOR WORK Sunday 10 April 2005 The Great Orme Tramway in Llandudno, North Wales has been officially re-opened following a £4.5 million overhaul. The work has taken four years to complete and included building a new Halfway station, refurbishing the track and improving disabled access to the line. The ribbon to reopen the tramway was cut by Council chairman Linda Groom who said: “The tramway is an important part of our transport strategy and is very popular with visitors. I hope this is the start of the next 100 years of operation.” Conwy Council managed to obtain Heritage Lottery Finding and European Objective One cash to carry out the renovation work on the Victorian track in 2000 and the wooden sleepers have been replaced with concrete ones. One of the drivers on the line, Eric Potter said: “People living either side of the track says it’s a heck of a lot quieter now, it’s a lot better.” Source: BBC News Online NEW MANCHESTER TRAM INTERCHANGE GETS GO-AHEAD Sunday 10 April 2005 A new Metrolink station has been given the go-ahead – even though it is to be built at a new Manchester Business Park which is not currently on the network. It is reported that the new interchange will cost £36 million overall with £11 million coming from the GMPTE and the remainder from the City Council. The station will be built off Oldham Road in Manchester and is planned to sit on the Oldham and Rochdale line between Monsall and Dean Lane stops. Janet Heron, the project director for New East Manchester said that they never considered halting the plans. She said: “We had already made a substantial investment in the planning and to come out of the contract would have been extremely difficult. The PTE has spent over £200m so this is a small investment in the context of all that. This was always the most difficult part of building this Metrolink line and once this is done, it will be very straightforward to do the rest of the line. We never looked at each other and said we wouldn't go ahead with it. It is absolutely critical for the Central Park and the regeneration of New East Manchester, in terms of attracting businesses and future tenants here." The design of the station is innovative as the tram line has to be lifted over the railway and then threaded back down the other side. The result of this is a twisting fin concrete bridge, so called as a central “fin” along the top bears all the weight instead of having the support underneath as on most bridges. Barry Jessop from joint contractor Balfour Beatty said: “It's a unique design. We have effectively turned the bridge upside down by putting the fin support along the top. "Initially we were looking at a tunnel but it was decided that this would be much less disruptive and more cost effective. I think it's the most efficient solution and it will not look out of place by the time we've finished." The bridge is being built alongside the railway and should be moved into place in August. Source: Manchester Online BLACKPOOL TRAMWAY NEWS UPDATE Sunday 10 April 2005 Current progress with major overhaul tram Jubilee 762 has see roof advert panels fitted as per the Centenary Car refurbishments. These panels are to try and prevent pantograph grease from running down the tram sides during wet weather. The tram was last reported as being in the Body Shop. Meanwhile work on Balloon 713 also continues with the latest progress on the interior. Ceiling and lining panels are now fitted along with saloon flooring. The next task will be the exterior panelling and then the installation of glazing. The final major overhaul victim, Centenary 645, has finally seen real work commenced with its trucks moving to the Fitting Shop for overhaul whilst the stripped tram body is located at the back of the tram depot on trestles. The Fylde Tramway News also report that Blackpool Transport do have a planned “reserve” fleet if circumstances demand other trams are required for service. It is believed that Railcoach 679, Balloon 722, Sheffield 513 and the Boats are on this so-called “reserve” fleet. 679 is likely to replace sister 678 once its Radio Wave advert runs out whilst if there is a period of sustained good weather during the summer one or several of the Boats may well see use again. The article also states that Steve Burd has turned down one request to transfer 513 elsewhere. * Don’t forget the only way to receive FULL monthly news on the Blackpool Tramway is by becoming a member of the Fylde Tramway Society? The Fylde Tramway News has just been redesigned with a much more modern look and is just one of the many benefits of being a member. For further details see here and here. Source: Fylde Tramway News MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS URGES READERS TO GET PM BACK ON TRACK Sunday 10 April 2005 The Manchester Evening News is now urging its readers to contact Prime Minister Tony Blair to get him to put the “Big Bang” of Manchester Metrolink into the Labour Party Manifesto. Although Mr Blair and his Ministers have repeatedly said in the last few months that they were committed to Metrolink there is still no contractor appointed to construct the lines and the bidding process has to be started from scratch. The MEN are asking readers to email Mr Blair to ask him for a manifesto commitment that if the party get in after the General Election it will deliver all three lines plus a spur to Stockport. To do this you need to go to www.labour.og.uk and the first page is entitled “Talk to Tony”, all you have to do is fill in the boxes with your name, email, postcode and optional phone number. Fill in the comment box asking him to put Metrolink extensions as part of their Manifesto. If you don’t want to receive regular email communications from the Labour Party ensure you unselect the relevant box on this page. Source: Manchester Online CENTRALE STOP PLAN DELAYED AGAIN Sunday 3 April 2005 The ongoing saga of the Centrale tram stop has taken another twist this week with news that the opening has been delayed until the autumn. The delay has been agreed by TfL and Tramtrack (Tramlink operators) whilst details of costing the scheme and timetable changes are finalised. Phil Hewitt Head of London Trams at TfL said: “TfL has secured funding for the capital works to provide the new stop. We are however dependent upon TCL to design, build and operate the stop and to demonstrate that they have obtained best value for the investment of public money. Significant progress has been made towards establishing a new timetable and an agreed scope of works. There are however, due to the nature of the system, some areas that TCL have been unable to resolve either to their satisfaction or ours. Accordingly we have jointly concluded that the stop opening will be delayed.” The financial element of the delay include the cost of building the stop and the provision of a new tram to enable existing service levels to continue. Mr Hewitt added: “We are continuing to work closely with TCL to ensure that the new stop is brought in to use as soon as possible taking account of safety requirements and TCL’s business needs. We recognise however that, due to TCL’s planned maintenance rectification works in the summer, it may be sensible to defer the introduction of the new timetable until they are completed.” Source: icSouthLondon & TFL LATER TRAMS ON METROLINK CALLED FOR Sunday 3 April 2005 The GMPTA is asking Serco Metrolink to look at running later services around the Christmas/New Year period after a barrage of complaints following last years efforts. During this period services ended in the city centre at 10pm on certain nights although in previous years trams had run through until midnight. Serco had decided to change this last year though because of low passenger loadings – with GMPTA permission. Graham Stringer, MP for Blackley, said: “I received a number of comments from people in my constituency wishing to see Metrolink services operating later than they did last Christmas and New Year. People were particularly unhappy about the early finish on New Year's Eve, and given that it falls on a Saturday this year, there is likely to be high demand for late-night trams. "Public transport should enable people to go out and enjoy themselves, knowing they will be able to get home easily and safely afterwards. It seems that not everyone was able to do that last year, so I have asked the Authority to look again at the tram services in good time for this year's festive season." The GMPTA’s chairman, Councillor Roger Jones said: “We recognise people want to go out and enjoy themselves over the festive season, and it's important they can go where they want, when they want, by public transport. Serco, the Metrolink operator, tells us it has done surveys into when people travel at that time of the year and tried to tailor tram services to suit. However, it is important to listen to passengers views, so we will be working with Serco, to see how we can improve things this year." A decision will now be made as to what services will be operated over the Christmas/New Year period this year. Source: Manchester Online BEAMISH TRAM CHALLENGE 2005 DETAILS REVEALED Sunday 3 April 2005 For the second year in succession the North of England Open Air Museum at Beamish is holding the Beamish Tram Challenge. The idea is for runners to compete against one of the trams at the Museum on Sunday 26 June to see if they can beat it! There will be two races: 2.5km Fun Run of one lap of the tram track and a 10km race – 2 laps of the tram track and then a route through the woods surrounding Beamish and finishing in the grounds of Beamish Hall. Entry fees for the Fun Run are £4 for adults and £2 for children with the main race having fees of £10 for unattached runners and £8 for club runners. The runners, families and friends are also able to purchase discounted Admission Tickets to enjoy the Museum for the rest of the day. The idea of the days events are to raise funds to enable disadvantaged children from throughout the region to experience all that Beamish has to offer. Entry forms and further information is available from Lisa Wilkinson on 0191 370 4017 or by email to lisawilkinson@beamish.org.uk. Source: Beamish |