The Fire Brigade were called to the site at 11.30am on Tuesday (29 August) after the discovery and trams were suspended between Manchester Square and Bispham whilst it was dealt with. Two substations had to be shut down to ensure the Fire service could deal with the problem safely.

A spokesman from the Fire service said: “There was no fire as such. The smoking and flames were caused by the electricity cables touching and arcing in the ground. The electricity supply needed to be shut down in order for the engineers to repair the fault. Once the fault was corrected we then sprayed powder on the area as a precaution."

Meanwhile, a spokesman from Blackpool Transport commented: “The problem was an electrical fault underground. At no time were the public in any danger. Trams could not travel between Manchester Square and Bispham in both directions so buses were put on until the service was back in full operation at 12.45pm."
Source: Blackpool Today

TRAMLINK PAY DISPUTE DRAWS TO AN END
Sunday 27 August 2006
The ongoing saga of whether drivers on the Croydon Tramlink network would go on strike appears to be drawing to an end with a second strike cancelled last week and now a new pay offer on the table.

A strike was scheduled to take place on Wednesday 23 August, but as reports suggested last week this did not take place. Negotiations between the T&GWU and TOL (a First Group run company) continued in the later part of the week with a new deal put on the table which was described as a significant increase by the Union. It is reported that the pay rise will be 6% for 2005/6 and a further 6% next year – meaning drivers with at least two years experience will be getting around £500 a week.

Peter Kavanagh, T&GWU’s senior regional industrial organiser, said: “After lengthy negotiations at the back end of last week a new offer is on the table which the committee says they are happy to recommend to our members. Our members will now decide whether to accept the revised offer, which represents a significant improvement."

A spokesman from First Group added: “A further meeting has taken place between Tram Operations Ltd (TOL), the operator of Croydon Tramlink, and the Transport and General Workers' Union, and a revised offer has been made."
Source: Croydon Guardian & icCroydon

NET DISRUPTED BY BOMB SCARE AT STATION STREET
Sunday 27 August 2006
Last Saturday (19 August) saw severe disruption to the NET service from the Station Street terminus following the discovery of two suspect packages on one of the platforms at the stop.

The bomb squad were called in and carried out controlled explosions on the packages, both of which were discovered to contain clothing. In the meantime trams terminated at Old Market Square whilst part of the railway station was also closed.

Colin Lea from NET said: “The suspicious packages were reported at 6.59pm on the Station Street platform of the tram. Parts of the railway station were evacuated. At just after 8pm, the bomb squad arrived. We isolated the overhead lines at this point and we started turning the trams around at the Old Market Square. At about 10.30pm, they carried out a controlled explosion on both packages. At 11.27pm, we were able to re-energise the overhead line and we had trams back from 11.30pm. But that was the whole Saturday night shut down, we weren't running trams.''
Source: This is Nottingham

CONGESTION CHARGE TO PAY FOR METROLINK BIG BANG?
Sunday 27 August 2006
It looks likely that road pricing will have to be a part of the way to pay for the cost of the Manchester Metrolink Big Bang extension plan. However, it is believed that Greater Manchester will resist any plans to have a London style congestion charge zone.

It is expected that to solve a shortfall in cash required for the extension plans the GMPTA will apply to the Transport Innovation Fund. This fund is worth an initial £290 million across the country in 2008/9 before rising to £2.5 billion by 2014/5. But anybody asking for money from this fund is likely to be asked to include road pricing as Transport Secretary, Douglas Alexander, has said any bids with this included will be prioritised.

Research carried out by the GMPTE will be used to put a bid in to the fund next year. This research is believed to say that the region will reach a point early next decade where congestion starts to hit the economy. In fact one report suggests the region could grind to halt by 2020.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester Council, said he had discussed road pricing with Mr Alexander: “We are not in principle against congestion charging and road pricing and never have been. But investment in public transport infrastructure has to be in place before we will consider it, and we will not consider it if it damages the economy."

He added that the scheme of congestion in Manchester would be different from that of London: “That almost certainly doesn't mean the sort of congestion scheme that London has - a ring around somewhere. More sophisticated schemes look at congestion where it happens, and when it happens."
Source: Manchester Online

COMPLAINTS CONTINUE OVER NEW TRAMLINK TIMETABLE
Sunday 27 August 2006
The local Croydon newspapers are still full of complaints from local residents (mainly from the Addington area) on the revised Tramlink timetable, which sees trams now running all the way from New Addington to Wimbledon as opposed to just serving the Croydon loop. One such story this week concerned a disabled woman who fears she may have to quit her job because of the overcrowding.

Denise McManus, aged 45 from New Addington, lost the use of one arm and paralysis in one leg after catching meningitis at the age of 5. She works in West Croydon as an administration assistant and complains that the trams are now so overcrowded in the evening she has had to stand for the whole journey six times in the last three weeks.

She said: “It's impossible to get a seat nowadays because it's so crowded. I leave my office at 5pm and on many occasions do not get on a tram until 5.30pm or later either because the trams are so full or a tram has been missed out."

The tram beings to empty by Sandilands but that does not help Ms McManus who says she avoids getting on a tram which is already quite full at West Croydon: “Usually someone helps me and then someone gives me a seat. If it's far too busy with people standing I don't even bother. The problem is nowhere is safe to hold onto for me. It never used to be this bad. Now I just hope there might be a seat when people get off at East Croydon."
Source: icCroydon

CROSS RIVER TRAM DEPOT INQUIRY CALLED FOR
Sunday 27 August 2006
A business park director from Peckham has called on the TfL and Council to hold a Public Inquiry into the proposed site for a tram depot for the proposed Cross River Tram scheme. Jonathan Wilson is the director of the Copeland Industrial Park where it is proposed to build a major depot for the scheme which is being backed by Transport for London.

Mr Wilson said: “Our attempts to rationalise activities on the estate and invest in Peckham town centre are being blighted by the broad brush allocation of a large area of land for a tram depot."

The site is currently home to six African churches, several businesses and 60 artists. Mr Wilson has written to both the TfL and Council demanding a public investigation into the suitability of the site for a depot as well as making a Freedom of Information Act request for almost all the documents relating to the depot.

Council leader, Cllr Nick Stanton commented: “The cross river tram will provide a much-needed boost to public transport in Southwark and offer residents improved chances of finding work. Our preference was for the tram to be on the north side of the river but TfL told us there isn't the infrastructure available. We are still pressing TfL to look at alternative sites. It will be for TfL to compensate any businesses and residents affected."

A public consultation is due to take place on the plan starting this autumn.
Source: icSouthLondon

TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH NEWS ROUND-UP
Sunday 27 August 2006
In a change of format we will now be having a regular round-up of all the latest news from Edinburgh (unless there are any really significant stories) – much like the news round up’s from Blackpool, Crich and Croydon. There are a few reasons for this, firstly because The Scotsman website seems to be only putting brief articles at the moment, and secondly because a lot of the stories are just a rehash of “trams are really bad for the city”, “waste of money” and of course the SNP’s Kenny MacAskill trying to get political gain from anything to do with the trams. Read on for the latest from Edinburgh…

* Willie Gallagher is to stay as acting Chief Executive for tie until at least Christmas. Mr Gallagher is also the Chairman of tie, and only arrived in June but after only a few weeks he had to cope with the departure of Michael Howell, who was Chief Executive. The long term goal remains to have a separate Chairman and Chief Executive. Council Chief Executive, Tom Aitchinson said: “During this interim period, in recognition of the additional and exceptional duties involved, Mr Gallagher is receiving a monthly remuneration of £8334, instead of the normal payment applicable to his role as chairman of TIE. This position will be reviewed before Christmas."

* Donald Anderson, the outgoing Edinburgh City Council leader, has said that the city will lose its competitive edge without the proposed tram scheme. He said: “Recognition of the economic benefits resulting from the provision of a tram network is instructive for Edinburgh. Trams are the means to strengthening our economy by massively improving accessibility. Looking at Greater Manchester's example, it is hardly surprising that local businesses enthusiastically support Metrolink."

* Work has commenced on preparatory works for the construction of the tramway. From the start of last week six surveyors were investigating the land between Gogar Roundabout and the Airport, using hand-held metal detectors to check the areas within the Limits of Deviation for the tram.

* The Edinburgh Railway Action Group has asked Lord Provost Lesley Hinds to arrange a public meeting on the tram scheme. They want the meeting so more discussions can take place before further decisions are made. Harold Nicolson, chairman, said: “As a transport group, we feel that not enough thought has been put into this proposal."

* More than £40 million has been spent so far on the tram plan according to figures revealed by the Edinburgh Evening News. They show that £9.37million was spent on the scheme between April and July this year in addition to the £30.79million spent since 2002. tie have estimated that they will need another £23million in the period up until Christmas, with a total of £63.47million having been spent on drawing up the plans by 31 December.
Source: The Scotsman & tie

TRAMLINK STRIKES GOES AHEAD – OR DOES IT?
Sunday 20 August 2006
Last week we reported that the proposed strikes on Croydon Tramlink had been postponed because further talks were taking place between TOL and the T&GWU union over the pay issue. However, this week these talks seemed to breakdown with the local papers going as far as reporting that the strike was back on – but further reports coming out this weekend seem to suggest a further offer is on the table which is going for a fresh vote amongst drivers.

Earlier in the week, Steve Linger, from the T&GWU told the Croydon Guardian: “Talks have broken down so there is going to be a strike next Wednesday, August 23. We've been having talks for nine months now but First Group keep on messing us around and moving the goal posts. It will be a 24 hour strike beginning at 3am."

A spokesman from TOL, part of FirstGroup, commented: “We are very disappointed that talks have broken down. It appears the strike action will proceed next Wednesday. Obviously we will make every effort to provide a substitute service to reduce the impact on people who use the tram."

At the time of writing there was no official word on the official Transport for London website over whether the strike will be going ahead on Tuesday. Anyone who travels on Tramlink is advised to keep your eyes on the official website and also the unofficial Croydon Tramlink Yahoo! Group.
Source: Croydon Guardian

LIGHTNING AFFECTS MIDLAND METRO SERVICES
Sunday 20 August 2006
Services on Midland Metro were badly affected by a lightning strike on Thursday (17 August) with several trams being bought to a complete stand between stations.

The incident happened during the afternoon when lightning struck the overhead wires causing a power surge, tripping electricity breakers.

Spokesman Phil Bateman commented: “It seems to have affected quite a lot of our fibre optics as well, so communications are a bit rough." This meant that members of staff were sent to various stations to inform passengers of what was going on.

The service was fully restored in the evening after the location of the strike was identified and engineers initiated repairs.
Source: BBC News Online

TRAMLINK STRIKE CALLED OFF
Sunday 13 August 2006
A proposed strike on the Croydon Tramlink network, set for this weekend (11-13 August), was called off last week until further discussions have taken place between the TGWU and Tram Operations Limited (TOL - operators of Tramlink and part of the First Group).

The strike is over pay (what’s new folks) with the Union saying that drivers should be paid on a par with bendy bus drivers in the capital – around £600 per week. Currently they are only paid £470. The raise they are asking for works out at 15% with TOL offering just a 5% rise.

Steve Linger from the Union says: “I am not sure 15 per cent is achievable this time but what we are looking for is a realistic settlement. These talks have been dragging on since November. We are still negotiating the 2005 pay settlement. We haven't got round to this year's yet."

He added that if the discussions taking place between the two parties are not successful by their conclusion (on Tuesday) then it is likely they will call their members out on strike by the end of the month.

A spokesman from TOL said: “We are pleased the union has called off the action to let talks resume. It would have been difficult for everyone this weekend."

Plans in place if the strike had have gone ahead would have seen a replacement bus service in operation and peak hour services only between East Croydon and Wimbledon.
Source: Croydon Guardian & icCroydon

CALL FOR CONSULTATION ON TRAMLINK ROUTE CHANGES
Sunday 13 August 2006
Andrew Pelling, MP for Croydon Central, has called on the Tramlink route changes to be suspended until passengers have been properly consulted.

He told the Croydon Advertiser: “When bus routes are proposed for change, public consultation takes place and the same should apply to our tram. The recent changes should be suspended and a proper consultation take place on the new routes.”

He is also concerned about the severe overcrowding taking place at East Croydon because of these route changes, and the closure of Platform 1: “The severe crowding at East Croydon tram stop, arising from forced tram changes at this station, leave passengers using the limited platforms two and three. How long will it be before we have a passenger falling off these limited crowded platforms?"

He concluded: “It's not practical. I think it's a bad decision that does not take account of the needs of New Addington. Considering New Addington users are the backbone of the system it's a shame they have been treated like this. I'm going to raise it at the London Assembly when it sits again in September and I will organise a petition to see how strongly people feel about it. It's very unfair on the people who have really made the system a success. It was sold to them originally as a quick way to get into Croydon and dropping them in East Croydon instead of West Croydon is not the same thing."
Source: icCroydon

MPs PUSH FOR ELMBRIDGE TO KINGSTON TRAM LINK
Sunday 13 August 2006
The All Party Parliamentary Group for Light Rail has called on the plans for a tram link between Elmbridge and Kingston to be put back on track, gaining the backing of Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park, and local transport groups.

The plan for extending Tramlink into Kingston was dropped in 2004, even before a feasibility study was launched into the proposed £84 million development. Most of the financial burden would have been on the shoulders of TfL and they claimed that Kingston had seen an improvement in its bus and train services and the money was needed in other areas.

A spokesman from TfL said: “In 2001, when we produced the Mayor's transport strategy, there were seven possible extensions to the tram network, and none of them was Kingston. We have a shortlist of four at the moment, and of them only one is getting funding."

With the West London Tram scheme losing support Tony Adams from the Kingston Travellers Association commented: “"If they don't want it, can't they bring the money down here? We would love it."
Source: Wimbledon Guardian

BLACKPOOL AND FLEETWOOD TRAMWAY NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 13 August 2006
Blackpool Standard 147 has become only the second tram in the history of the Blackpool Tramway to be named. It has been named Michael Airey in recognition of his prominent role in returning and restoring the tram to operation in Blackpool. Mr Airey started work for Blackpool Transport in 1990 as manager of the Body Shop and has been actively involved in the tramcar restoration programme. Unfortunately, due to ill health he was forced to retire but on 20 July a private party of family, friends and colleagues a ceremony took place which also included a trip to Fleetwood on the tram.

This was a rare appearance for 147 with the tram being banned from travelling between Manchester Square and Waterloo Road because of the state of the track earlier this year. It is now believed that fellow “vintage” trams Blackpool & Fleetwood Box 40 and Bolton 66 are now also banned from this section of track. This in effect means that their 2006 season is over before it had scarcely begun and with the Illuminations period just three weeks could mean a busier time for the two Illuminated trams (633 and 736) with the vintage trams looking unlikely to even be able to run these journeys).

Balloon 726 has returned to service following extensive attention in the workshops. Corroded sections of the underframe were dealt with and the tram has received a set of overhauled trucks. A new saloon floor has been fitted and traditional swing over seats have been retained. The lining panels have been trimmed in green leather cloth. The tram has also had its dash panels refitted with the lifeguard gates and bumpers having been repainted.

* The only way to get monthly news in depth on the Blackpool Tramway is to become a member of the Fylde Tramway Society. As well as the monthly Fylde Tramway News there are regular tram tours and meetings. For more details see here or here.
Source: Fylde Tramway News

CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 13 August 2006
The major restoration of LUT 159 has been progressing slowly recently because the new joiner, Nigel Corns, has been gaining knowledge of the tram. Work has been progressing on the upper deck panelling, bodyside trim and drip rails with the lower saloon window glazing and beading also seeing progress. The south truck has been completely stripped and the components are now being cleaned and assembled. Many of the components from the truck are life expired and will need replacing. The side frames are now away for shot blasting and non-destructive testing. Meanwhile, the north truck is having the brake rigging fitted with the driving wheels away at the contractor.

London Transport 1622 remains out of service after a further problem was found with the newly fitted armature shaft bearings in the north motor. The motor has now been removed again and sent back to the contractor.

The recently fitted Met Vick controllers on Glasgow 22 are giving problems and proving unpopular with drivers.

Finally, replacement tyres have been ordered for Blackpool Standard 40.

* This news is taken from Contact, a monthly newsletter on the Tramway Museum Society. In order to get this why not become a member of the TMS? Not only do you get this newsletter you also get a quarterly magazine and the opportunity to get into the Museum for free, amongst other benefits. For full details on how to become a member see here or here.
Source: Contact from the Tramway Museum Society

NEW ADDINGTON COMMUTERS MOAN OVER ROUTE CHANGES
Sunday 6 August 2006
Commuters travelling from New Addington into central Croydon have started complaining that the change of routes on Croydon Tramlink are making their journey unbearable. This comes a few weeks after the New Addington route was extended to Wimbledon, cutting out the Croydon loop.

Passengers, described as furious on the icCroydon website, say this causes massive inconvience as they now struggle to get on packed connecting trams. One such commuter, Ian Lorimer claimed: “The people of New Addington are disgusted. We're being treated like lepers. It is not being run for the benefit of the public. This is running it for Tramlink's convenience. Nobody goes to Wimbledon and the trams go there virtually empty."

General Manager of Tramtrack Croydon, Roger Harding said: “I think people will get used to the new route. Whenever you make a change you are asking people to change their established habits and inevitably they feel disrupted. If people were getting seats on the trams before then the trams were pretty empty in rush hour. The main reason for the decision was to accommodate the new stop in Tamworth Road, outside the Centrale shopping centre. The new timetable prevents this causing a delay and is the most efficient use of the whole system. It may well be we are still in a teething phase.We would like to think that the people of New Addington have not been hard done by."

However, this does not wash with the people of New Addington who now have to change trams between Sandilands and George Street to get to the Croydon loop and in the evening on their way home are complaining that trams at West Croydon are already full with people coming from Wimbledon.

One of the local New Addington councillors, George Ayres, said that he and his fellow councillors were concerned about the quality of the service. He said: “This needs to be addressed quickly or people will look to alternative transport like cars. We are disappointed the changes have adversely affected commuters on the New Addington route more than elsewhere. We are compiling something to send to Transport for London (TfL) to ask if the change can be re-examined."
Source: icCroydon

DLR SHADWELL STATION TO UNDERGO REFURBISHMENT
Sunday 6 August 2006
The Docklands Light Railway have announced that Shadwell station on the Tower Gateway/Bank branch is to undergo a £1 million refurbishment to include the station environment.

The work will take place over the next nine months and will include overhauling the arches which provide the main access to the station, making extensive improvements to their layout and appearance over the next nine months. Phase One has already started and will also see a deep cleaning of the station and removal of equipment that is no longer in use.

Phase Two should commence in the autumn and deliver more functional changes to the station access. The entrances and exits will be simplified, station signage will be enhanced and improvements will be made to the paving and lighting around the station.

Nick O’Donnell, DLR Project Development Manager, said: “I'm delighted to announce the start of this much-needed refurbishment programme at Shadwell DLR station. The £1 million investment will significantly improve the access to the station, making it cleaner, smarter and more pleasant for passengers. We hope these improvements will encourage local people to use the DLR, as well as acting as a catalyst for more investment in the local area.”
Source: Docklands Light Railway