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For news September-December 2002 Please Click Here For news January-April 2003 Please Click Here For news May-July 2003 Please Click Here For news August-November 2003 Please Click Here 25 January 2004: Park and Ride sites get backing in Manchester The Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority's Policy Committee have agreed to release funds for the construction of 4 Park and Ride sites on the current Metrolink network. Planning approval has already been granted for Park and Ride at Navigation Road, Crumpsall, Besses O'th Barn and Whitefield. The GMPTE have also undertaken a review of all the existing and planned Metrolink stops to see how many could have Park and Ride sites added to them in order to try and get more cars off the roads in Manchester. The ASLEF strikers have also said this week that they will not call off their third strike (due next Saturday 31 January) even though the TUC's disputes committee are due to meet on the issue 2 days previously. The next refurbished First Series tram has now been completed and returned to the Queens Road Depot although has not yet been noted in service. The tram this time has been 1020. Source: GMPTE, Manchester Online & Gordon Ferguson 25 January 2004: Centro: No decision yet on Edgbaston Metro extension Centro and Birmingham City Council have revealed that there has been no decision yet on the controversial route through the most affluent areas of the city in Edgbaston and Harbone. Residents in these areas have been angry that they have not been able to object to the scheme in its entirety. Their major concern is that the small side roads will be used for rat runs after the main road is used for the Metro extension. Metro officials will present their findings from the extended consultation period to the PTA on 2 February. Meanwhile the Birmingham Evening Mail reported a bizarre journey people suffered on the current Metro network. It is reported that a female driver was ordering the passengers not to let anybody else onto the tram as it was full and then when people were getting on she was shutting the doors as they tried to. Eyewitnesses on board have siad that they didn't think that the tram was as full as they had been in the past. A Centro spokesman revealed that there had been a points failure at St Paul's which had caused delays in the tram service and that the unnamed driver was attempting to make up time. There was also a tram just one minute behind and the driver was telling people this and the majority of them heeded this advice. Source: icBirmingham 25 January 2004: Blackpool Update Balloon 712 is now nearing completion in the paint shop in the 1960s Fleet livery previously carried by 710 and has been joined by Railcoach 679 in the paint shop. Balloon 713 has now been transferred to the Body Shop with a complete new 'traditional' underframe now fitted with a start made on a dull body overhaul whilst Twin Motor Car 675 is receiving panelling attention. Source: Paul Turner from UK Trams & Blackpool Transport 25 January 2004: Tramlink: 2533 and 2545 return to service Tramlink 2533 and 2545 returned to service after repairs within a month of each other in December/January. They had both been out of service for significant periods following colliosn damage in separate accidents with buses. On the accident front 2551 was hit by a van on 29 December at Addiscombe after the van had jumped the lights. It caused disruption with both Elmers End and Beckenham Junction services turning at Sandilands. 2551 looks likely to need panel attention below the windows but returned to service the following dayafter no mechanical faults were discovered. There have also been two more pedestrian accidents at Poplar Walk within 5 days of each other with a 38 year old woman hit in the first incident on 19 December and a 17 year old male youth struck on 24 December. Only minor injuries were sustained by both victims. This has become a well known accident spot on Tramlink. For full news on Croydon Tramlink go to the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink website. Source: Unofficial Croydon Tramlink 25 January 2004: Sheffield's Last Tram shed to be converted to flats It looks likely that the final trams sheds standing in Sheffield are to be converted into loft style appartments. The depot, in Albert Road Heeley, was the city's last horse tram depot having been opened in October 1877. It closed in 1901 and has since been used for commercial purposes although is now dilapidated and a little ruined. The plan is for the central tram shed to be partially demolished whilst the other sheds will be restored to provide appartments. Source: Sheffield Today 21 January 2004: NET fares revealed On Monday the fares for the Nottingham Express Transit system were revealed to the public for the first time. The basic adult single fares will be 80p, £1 and £1.20 with child singles set at 60p. In addition to these basic single fares, there will be a day tram ticket called the TramRider available for £2 (adult) and £1.20 (child), this will allow you unlimited travel on all the trams for a full day. There is also a Group TramRider which allows up to 5 people (maximum of 2 adults) the same freedom as the basic TramRider for £4. A WeeklyRider will cost an adult £9 and a child £5 and as the title suggests lets you travel on the trams for a whole week. As well as these tram only fares there are several joint bus and tram tickets available and there will also be the chance to add £2 (for an adult) and £1.20 (child) onto the cost of a train ticket from anywhere to travel to a NET destination. For full details of the fares check out the official Nottingham Express Transit website. Source: Nottingham Express Transit & This is Nottingham 21 January 2004: Fleetwood Tram Sunday to be axed? It is reported that unless there is support forthcoming from the local business community in Fleetwood the annual Tram Sunday event may be axed. A meeting has been called for next Monday at 8pm in the North Euston Hotel as a final throw of the dice after the last meeting was not attended by one member of the local business community. Chairman Iain Johnstone has said that they can no longer take the risk of the festival with so few people, there are only 6 major volunteers with only a few other helpers. The event attracts 50,000 people to the town once every year and has run each and every year since 1985. Lasy year of course saw the return of the Western Train 733+734 when it was towed and stabled at the Ferry. Source: Blackpool Today 21 January 2004: Blackpool Tram Event weekend in September? It is planned that to mark the 70th anniversary of the English Electric cars (particularly the Balloons) a weekend of special events will be held in Blackpool. The weekend currently mentioned is 11/12 September and in addition to a cavalcade of English Electric cars there could be the first tram depot open day since the Fleetwood Tramroad centenary of 1998. As previously reported Balloon 712 is to receive a full repaint. It can now be confirmed that it is to receive the 1960s Green and Cream fleet livery, previously carried by 710. The repaint is to be sponsored by Trams Magazine. (Information from TRAMS magazine). Source: Trams Magazine, click here for more details of the magazine and videos. 21 January 2004: More anti Supertram feelings in Sheffield A new survey carried out by the Ranmoor and Endcliffe Action Committee on Trams (REACT) has found that more than 80% of people in the area are opposed to the construction of the proposed Supertram extension. The survey, which was distributed to 500 homes (although only 340 replied), asked the question 'Do you think the extension to Ranmoor via Endcliffe Vale Road is necessary?'. Most of those who were anti the extension would rather see improvements to the local bus services. Probbaly the worst piece of news to come out of this survey for Supertram and SYPTE bosses was that if the tram extension was built over 68% of people said they would not swap their current mode of transport to use it. After this surbey was released there was a public meeting organised by REACT which was attended by Roy Wicks, Director General of SYPTE, who was the lone voice of support for the extension tell those who attended what a key role Supertram had played in getting 11 million journeys off the road since it opened in 1994. Many people spoke against the plans including MP Joe Ashton (Bassetlaw) and John Potter, of REACT, who said that "this is a badly thought out and misconceived proposal and ought to be withdrawn." These opinions on this route come less than a week since the people of Rotherham also said they did not wish to see Supertram extended into their town. Source: Sheffield Today 21 January 2004: The Latest from the Crich Tramway Village The latest edition of Contact reports that the Berlin Works Car (formerly in Sheffield) is to be delivered to the museum from the Clay Cross store to be dismantled to be a source of spares for Berlin 3006. The major restoration project, Leeds 345, is still progressing but has recently been a little slow due to sub-contractors taking longer than originally estimated to repair the truck side frames. The diesel loco G.M.J. is now operational again and just awaits a little bit of work to complete its overhaul while Liverpool 869 had recently had some repairs to its roof undertaken. Glasgow 22 has developed a fault in one of its motors which is now having to be repaired whilst sister 812 should be retrucked in mid February. The latest on trying to acquire a second Access tram has hit a slight stumbling block with the news that the Marseilless PCC cars have more asbestos than was at first thought, if the museum go ahead with it car 6 is most likely. Source: Contact from the Tramway Museum Society 18 January 2004: Second Metrolink Strike goes ahead Yesterday (Saturday 17) saw the second 24 hour Manchester Metrolink strike go-ahead despite the TUC asking the ASLEF union to stop the action. As will be remembered the strike is all about some of Metrolink's drivers moving from the TGWU to ASLEF and demanding negotiating rights. However as Serco Metrolink have a single-union agreement with TGWU they are unable to do this and the dispute has been sent to the TUC to sort out. Serco Metrolink have revealed that the TUC have asked ASLEF to stop the strikes but as they haven't it will be referred to TUC Disputes Committee for a resolution, expected to be on 29 January. It is hoped that this will be the last strike affecting Metrolink passengers over this particular dispute. Metrolink were to provide a limited service throughout the day starting at 8am with double trams again likely to be used on the Bury and Altrincham lines. Source: Manchester Metrolink, Manchester Online & BBC News Online 18 January 2004: NET timetable revealed When NET finally launches in April (or thereabouts) at peak times in the week trams are going to run every 6 minutes. The Nottingham Evening Post reports this week that the timetable should see 308 trams a day during the week with trams running between 6am and after midnight. A minimum number of trams have to be run due to the contract NET have with the city and county councils but this has been exceeded at certain times due to commercial reasons. This timetable is now underway for the 3 month dummy period, so now is a good time to get your first look at the trams in Nottingham. Meanwhile bosses of NET are concerned that children are already trying 'tram surfing' with at least 2 attempts so far. They are concerned as both Croydon and Manchester have seen this problem end in tragedy. They are now tweaking the design of the trams so that children can not grab hold of any part of the back of the tram. In the same Nottingham Evening Post article it was noted that opening looks likely to be in early-mid April of this year. Source: This is Nottingham 18 January 2004: DLR moves towards Woolwich In the weeks leading up to Christmas last year Docklands Light Railway Ltd issued a notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) asking for expressions of interest for the construction of the Woolwich extension. Any expressions of interest have to be received by 23 January this year although official confirmation of the extension in the form of a Transport and Works Act from Alistair Darling has not yet been received. There was a public inquiry into the extension, which is likely to cost £145 million and will go under the Thames, in June and Ken Livingstone (Mayor of London) sees the projectas crucial for the redevelopment of east and south-east London. The DLR has just been awarded a ISRS Level 7 out of a possible 8 as it seeks to make the network one of the safest in the country. This mark follows a rigourous safety audit by international experts on the subject, Det Norske Veritas. Previously this level has only been achieved in the UK by national rail operators GNER and Virgin. Since DLR was first audited in 2000 the level has gone up from a level 4 to todays standard. Speaking on the official DLR website Managing Director Neil McLean said that "Safety is always our first priority...this award bears testimony to a lot of hard work to constantly improve our standards." Source: Docklands Light Railway 18 January 2004: Rotherham residents say no thanks to Supertram A new survey carried out by consultants for South Yorkshire PTE has shown that residents in Rotherham still are not keen on the Supertram being extended into their town. Out of the people who were asked just a third said that Supertram should be extended to Hellaby and Parkgate. The survey has been reported on the Sheffield Today website although it is not known where or when it was done. The SYPTE expect that when Supertram is running that people will start to use it despite these views as that is what happened at the initial opening of the system in Sheffield. However this survey has been jumped on by campaigners against the extensions who say they have thousands of people who believe Supertram should not go to Rotherham. However a petition recently collected saw many people signing who live outside the Rotherham area and so would not be affected. As an aside the report on the website does seem to show that the Sheffield Star newspaper is seemingly in favour of Supertram extensions which can only be a good thing. Source: Sheffield Today 18 January 2004: Midland Metro consultation criticised City transport watchdogs have condemned Centro's Midland Metro consultation as nothing better than a piece of spin. As a result they have been ordered to increase the length of the consultation to the end of February. It is claimed that the wrong questions were asked on the consultation documents, with Councillor Deidre Alden saying "People were only offered two alternatives...there was not a third box for no Metro at all or to suggest other options." She also said that people likely to be affected along the route had heard rumours that the whole thing had been decided anyway so there was no point in them giving their views. In reply Centro projects director Tom McGrath said that residents had additional space on the consultation forms to put their own suggestions. Source: icBirmingham 11 January 2004: MerseyTram Public Inquiry date set The public inquiry into Line 1 of the MerseyTram network is to start on Tuesday 20 April and will be held at the Foresight Centre, Liverpool University. As at last month 70 inquiries had been received by MerseyTravel and these are likely to be held in full at the inquiry. If everything goes according to plan the construction for Line 1 should commence before the end of this year with an opening hopeful in 2007. Next month is to see the revealing of the preferred bidder for the Design, Build, Maintain and Operate (DBOM) contract. The Liverpool Echo reports that the joint Serco/Nedrailways and Mitsubishi/MTR joint bid is now the favourite to gain the nod from MerseyTravel. When the initial bids were placed last year these were 2 separate consortia but they have since merged to give all of their expertise to the race. There are 2 other bids still in the running following the withdrawal of Transdev, these being Via GTI UK Limited/Parsons Bronkerhoff and Arriva Passenger Services/Siemens Transportation. These bids are now being analysed before a decision is made but the Serco, Nedrailways, Mitsubishi, MTR bid is favourite mainly for the reason that Serco/Nedrailways run the rail franchise for Merseyside. Source: icLiverpool & Merseytravel 11 January 2004: Leeds MPs to meet with Darling A meeting is to take place on Wednesday (14 January) between Leeds MPs and Transport Secretary Alistair Darling. It has become increasingly frustrating for those behind the Leeds Supertram scheme that despite the fact the project had been referred back to Whitehall for a decision, after costs reportedly soared by £100 million, there was no mention of when they would find out for certain. Paul Truswell, the Labour MP for Pudsey, says that they just want clarification on whether the scheme still has the go-ahead and also to emphasise how key the tram will be for the city. Source: Yorkshire Today 11 January 2004: New Overtime row on Metrolink It has been claimed that Metrolink bosses are now getting their own back on striking tram drivers by not allowing overtime to be worked. A Metrolink driver is quoted in the Manchester Evening News as saying that "Metrolink are now not running trams, running trams back into depot, because they have no relief drivers, rather than have an ASLEF driver drive them for overtime." Serco Metrolink have replied to this claim by saying that services are not being affected and that it is standard industry practice not to allow striking drivers to make up their wages by doing overtime. There is now a fight on to find a way to resolve this dispute before the next 1 day strike due on 17 January. It is hoped that the TUC will be able to solve the inter-union disagreement, which may (in extreme circumstances) result in ASLEF being expelled from the TUC before any more action is planned. On the tram front 3 trams (1007, 1021 and 2006) have recently been noticed with new names. All 3 now carry the name Sony Centre Arndale. Source: Manchester Online & Gordon Ferguson 11 January 2004: Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway Update The fourth flat fronted Balloon, 724, has been painted into the Line 5 Metro Coastlines Red and Yellow livery as its completion nears. 724 becomes the first Blackpool Transport vehicle to receive these colours as no buses have been dedicated to this route. Brush 636 and Balloon 710 have now received the Metro Coastlines branding to go with their recent repaints. Boat 605 is back in the depot following the fitting of its overhauled trucks whilst Twin Trailer 685 has gone to the Body Shop for panelling work before it gets a repaint. Other trams which are or have recently seen bodywork attention include Railcoach 679 (which is likely to represent the English Electric Railcoaches during the 70th Anniversary in 2004), Balloon 704 and Brush 623. Also receiving panelling attention is Balloon 712 which was then moved to the Paint Shop for a full repaint. Illuminated 736 is continuing progress of its rebuild and was recently in the Electrical Compound for more work before its shape is completed. As reported last week trackwork has now started north of Thornton Gate with Westbourne Road-Rossall School, Rossall Square-Broadwater and Southfleet Avenue-Lingfield Road the main areas to be treated by the contractors Birse. In addition the Council are to work on the stretch from Broadwater-Southfleet Avenue. To become a member of the Fylde Tramway Society (where you will receive a monthly magazine with full news from the tramway) visit their Official Website for more details. Source: Fylde Tramway News> 11 January 2004: Midland Metro extension 'will increase home values' Campaigners against Midland Metro extensions in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham have been shocked by news that the line will increase the value of their homes. The Conservative Councillor for Edgbaston, Deirdre Alden, on behalf of the local residents, enquired with the Council's transport boss Councillor John Tyrrell who informed her of research produced showing it would increase the values of properties in the area. However despite this research Councillor Alden said that "these people live in houses which would sell for around the £750,000 mark so I don't think running a tram along the street outside will do much for the price." In other words the residents are still not going to accept an extension without a fight. Elsewhere in the continuing Metro extensions saga Wolverhampton City Council's planning committee are to meet on Monday to decide whether they should refuse plans for a section of the extension from Wolverhampton to Wednesbury. This extension would go along March End Road and Waddens Brooks Lane in Wednesfield and would involve the demolition of a number of homes. There is hope by the campaigners that if it is refused then Centro will drop the plan next month. In addition capaigners in other areas likely to be affected by proposed extensions are keeping a keen eye on the outcome of this to see whether they will be able to cause the abandonment of plans for lines into their area. The public enquiry into the City Centre extension has continued as well this week with a key time in evidence with Travel West Midland's opposition to the plan heard. Source: icBirmingham 11 January 2004: Docklands Light Railway look to reduce crime In a new initiative every train and station on the DLR is to be equipped with a Salivia Recovery Kit. This will enable any member of staff to recover the DNA of any member of the public who spits at them. The kits have been issued by the British Transport Police and include sterile latax gloves, swabs and an evidence bag. After an incident the member of staff will collect a sample, bag it up and then send it off along with an incident report to the BTP, who will then check it against the National DNA Database to find a match. This new initiative comes after last year saw 30% of the 150 assaults on Serco Docklands staff involve spitting. Source: Docklands Light Railway 4 January 2004: More Track repairs for Blackpool Tramway The tramway between Thornton Gate and Fleetwood is to close again from Monday (5 January 2004) for further track work in order for double deckers to return on the full length of the route. Each tram arriving at Thornton Gate from the south will be met by a bus which will then complete the journey on the usual tram replacement route. Steve Burd, Managing Director of Blackpool Transport said that "the work is essential but we do understand it will cause inconvenience and apologise to our travelling public for any disruption. This time of year has been chosen to take advantage of minimal usage and the closure will enable us to complete the work quickly and cost effectively". Source: Blackpool Transport 4 January 2004: Birmingham City Council Metro commitment In the objectives for 2004/5 from Birmingham City Council they have affirmed their commitment to progressing with Midland Metro extensions. As part of the 'Preparing for the Future' section of the document they say that 'The council promises...to expand the Midland Metro tram network.' Meanwhile the debate over further extensions to the network continues with an article in the Birmingham Post by John Hemming accusing Centro of not giving people options in public consultation, in other words the people have been told its the Metro or nothing. He seems to be an advocate of the possibility of seeing Trolley coaches used in the city centre instead of trams as he claims that they would be cheaper as tracks are not needed and as such underground services would not have to be diverted. Former Centro Director Bob Tarr has also become involved in the debate accusing his former employers of squandering the chance for a comprehensive Metro network. He says that 'Birmingham is doomed to the chaos of gridlocked streets and inadequate public transport' and that when he left in 1995 they had already got the powersto build certain new routes. Source: icBirmingham 4 January 2004: NET to start major city centre testing The next few weeks are to see the start of the 'dummy' timetable in Nottingham. Trams will run as if they are covering the timetable, including stopping at the stations although not picking up passengers. They will run betwen 6am and Midnight daily, running every 6 minutes. This dummy running period will be for approximately 13 weeks before the HMRI give their permission for public operation to commence. In addition to standard operation in this period NET will also have some emergency operations using the emergency services and also standard equipment failures. Another purpose of this dummy running is to try and get the public used to trams running on the streets, particularly motorists who will not be used to the trams. An exhibition is to be held on 9 and 10 January at The Square, Beeston where the public will get a chance to comment on the proposed Beeston extension of NET. Both County and City council representatives will be on hand to answer any queries members of the public may have. It is hoped that the plans for the final route through the town centre will be presented to councillors on 16 January. Source: This is Nottingham 4 January 2004: Croydon's Public Transport 'best in country' A recently released report has shown that Croydon has the best public transport of any major retail centre. 30 areas in the country were included and Croydon scored 4.1 out of 5 which according to Michael Moran of property consultants Gerald Eve was 'very, very good indeed'. Source: icSouthLondon 4 January 2004: Metrolink New Years Day strike The ASLEF led strike on Manchester Metrolink took place on New Years Day (1 January 2004 would you believe). Services were expected to be disrupted from 10pm on 31 December as drivers started to walk out in preparation for the strike and then on New Years Day a 15 minute service was hoped to be operated. Services were scheduled to run from Bury to the City Centre (start time 10.30), Altrincham to City Centre (start time 10.22) and Eccles to Piccadilly Station (start time 10.36). It was hoped that double vehicles would be in use on the Altrincham and Bury services which were not serving Piccadilly station, customers advised to change at St Peters Square. All services were scheduled to be completed by 6pm. Source: Manchester Online, Manchester Metrolink and GMPTE 3 January 2004: Manchester Metrolink Strike Action Update We have been contacted by Phil Smith, Managing Director of Serco Metrolink, regarding the story we carried on the proposed strike by members of the Aslef union. He has asked us to correct some inaccuracies which of course we are happy to do and as we repeat his email in its entirety: Please note that your story regarding Metrolink and strikes has an inaccuracy in that you state all 160 drivers have unanimously voted to strike having joind ASLEF. While I recognise that the story run by Manchester On Line story was potentially ambiguous, the facts are that 66 driver voted to strike, 83 are claimed by ASLEF as members, and since that declaration we are aware of a number of resignations. Some staff have even copied me in on their resignation letters to distance them from ASLEF. Hence ASLEF has fewer that half of driving staff, which themselves form fewer than half Metrolink staff. Over 75% of staff therefore remain satisfied with the current arrangement whereby all staff are represented by the TGWU. In contrast to your stating that a meeting is to be set up between the TUC and Metrolink, quite the opposite is true. The TUC has asked Metrolink to allow it (the TUC) to resolve the dispute which is essentially one between ASLEF and TGWU. They have already met and the TUC has asked ASLEF to meet again in January and in the meantime desist from taking industrial action. From Metrolink's perspective, we have consistently stated that we are content with the existing arrangements, but if the TUC, TGWU and ASLEF were to reach agreement on a different form of recognition, we would be happy to enter into dialogue. That remains the case. However, at present, both the TGWU and TUC regard ASLEF's actions as being against TUC Rules on poaching and so wish to deal with the matter direct. Sadly that leaves Metrolink, and the people of Manchester, as the ones suffering until ASLEF engages with the TUC. We hope that this clears up the story. 21 December 2003: Racist attack on Manchester Metrolink On Thursday 11 December at 4.20pm on Trafford Bar Metrolink station an Asian woman was racially abused and attacked whilst onlookers stood by. She was pinned against the wall and threatened with a knife after the attackers had spat in her face and thrown ehr show onto the track. Their were two attackers and the Greater Manchester Police are looking for witnesses to the incident (of which none have as yet come forward despite several people being on the station). Meanwhile it has been announced that Metrolink drivers are to stage a walkout on New Years Day. It has now been revealed that all 160 Metrolink drivers have now signed up to the Aslef union after they have voted unanimously to strike. As you will remember the conflict is over the fact that Metrolink had a single union agreement with the Transport and General Workers Union but that Aslef were signing up drivers and looking to strike a deal with Serco Metrolink bosses. A meeting is now to be setup between the TUC and Metrolink to try and sort out the dispute before it leads to the strike. Source: Manchester Online 21 December 2003: MerseyTram objectors revealed The Liverpool Daily Post have revealed many of the objectors towards the MerseyTram project. Complaints have been received from Liverpool Vision (a regeneration company), Liverpool City Council, United Utilities, English Partnership (a developer), National Museums Liverpool and Merseyside Police. One of the major concerns from Liverpool Vision is that the construction of the system could disrupt the Capital of Culture status given to the city for 2008, although the plans do state that all work should be completed in time. The objection from the City Council is down as they are the Highways Authority and the basic outline of the MerseyTram project does not state everything in connection with the roads in the city. Lack of information is also why English Partnerships have put an objection as they don't know what will happen in their redevelopment of Kings Waterfront. The other objectors have mainly technical concerns. MerseyTravel have said that concerns of this sort are only to be expected in a project of such a large scale. Meanwhile a major objection has also come from the regions major bus promotor, Glenvale, who fear that 250 jobs could be at risk if the plan comes to fruition. Chief Executive Dominic Brady has claimed that £7 million could be lost from the annual turnover of the company and that they are concerned about the unfair competition the network will bring. The Chief Executive of MerseyTravel, Neil Scales has also said this week that he has no concerns over the objections received and that it is only to be expected. He also revealed that the scheme had received 30 or 40 letters of support and that Arriva (another of the larhe bus operators in the city) and Grosvenor (redeveloping large parts of the city centre) has not objected to the project at all. The objections are going to be heard at the public inquiry likely to be held in April next year. Source: icLiverpool 21 December 2003: NET on lookout for community unsung heroes Nottingham Express Transit have started a search for the unsung heroes in the local community. They would like to name 5 of the 15 new trams after those in the community who have given their time to the worthy causes. In a joint campaign with the Nottingham Evening Post, NET are now looking for nominations from the local public in the city. Those who are chosen by a panel of judges will get to name 'their' tram and will also receive a years free travel on the trams. NET are also planning to name 5 after living Nottinghamshire legends and the remaining 5 after historical figures from the city and the county. In addition several press releases have been released by NET this week which reveal that the dummy timetable will be started in the new year and they also tell the locals how to behave around the trams when they are in their cars. For more details on these releases see here. Source: This is Nottingham 21 December 2003: Midland Metro Consultation a success The public consultation into the major expansion of Midland Metro has so far seen 3,000 members of the public make comments on the project. Bosses at Centro are reported to be delighted that so many members of the public have taken the time to comment on the scheme. Source: icBirmingham 21 December 2003: Leeds wants meeting with Alistair Darling Both business and political leaders in Leeds want to arrange a meeting with Minster for Transport Alistair Darling to discuss the Supertram project. This comes as a Government insider told the Yorkshire Post that only two of the branches (the south and east ones) will be approved after costs have reportedly increased by £100 million to £600 million. The Labour MP for Leeds North East, Fabian Hamilton, has said that he is worried that congestion would get so bad in the city without the trams that jobs and businesses would leave. A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said Darling would consider a meeting but that a date has not yet been set. Source: Yorkshire Post 14 December 2003: LTT developing attraction for the Fylde's Transport Heritage This week the Lancastrian Transport Trust have officially launched their bid to help to preserve the Fylde Coast's transport in an permanent exhibition. The intention of the LTT is to create a new visitor attraction with a transport theme and possibly also to be linked with other leisure investment and development proposals. The full report produced by the LTT can be seen here. The report also mentions the Trusts current and future projects which include the completion of Coronation 304, securing commercial sponsorship to restore the Illuminated Rocket 732 for 2004, a possibility of operating a restaurant tram in the resort, developing a Lottery application for the restoration of a Standard tram (ex-143), acquiring Brush Car 259 from the Council for restoration and planning an expanded Blackpool Movin' event in August 2004. Source: Lancastrian Transport Trust 14 December 2003: Tramlink driver assaulted Two teenagers viciously assaulted a Tramlink driver on Friday night at King Henry's Drive in New Addington. The two youths were involved in an argument with the driver at around 11.30pm and pulled the emergency cord twice before being asked to leave the tram. They then punched and kicked the driver before they left with around 10 other friends. The driver suffered a broken tooth in the attack and the British Transport Police are seeking witnesses to the incident. A full account of the current problems on the New Addington route can by found on the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink website. Source: icSouthLondon 14 December 2003: Council Chiefs want fines in Sheffield Council bosses in Sheffield want to use new technology soon to be trialled in London to start fining people in the city who use bus and tram lanes. They are particularly keen to put cameras along Langsett Lane in the Hillsborough area to stop the severe congestion in that area. The so-called 'tram gates' in this area were originally installed in 1996 and cut travel time for trams by half. But now times are back up to 7 and a half minutes from Walkley tram stop to Hillsborough Corner as motorists are abusing the lanes. Source: Sheffield Today 14 December 2003: Birmimgham disgust at Metro pylon plans Residents in a street in the Edgbaston area of Birmingham have met with disgust Midland Metro plans to disguise overhead pylons as trees. Metro bosses have put these plans forward to try and quell the opposition to the proposed extension running along Richmond Hall Road. Residents are also fearing that their properties may fall in value but Centro are saying they could increase by up to 15%. Source: icBirmingham 14 December 2003: Metrolink Disruption after suspicious van discovered Manchester Metrolink services were disrupted again on Tuesday (9 December) morning when there was a security alert over a stolen van discovered underneath railway arches. Replacement bus services were introduced as the police took no chances over what could have been in the van. The Arndale Centre bomb of 1996 was hidden in a van. Source: Manchester Online 14 December 2003: Report criticises MerseyTram A recently released report in Liverpool has criticised the forthcoming MerseyTram network. The report, written by the Liverpool Research Group in macro-economics, says that "the entire tram plan has a validity problem when it is plain the only location on Merseyside in need of additional access is Liverpool John Lennon Airport. Everywhere else on Merseyside is served perfectly well by rail and bus." The report concludes by saying that many projects on Merseyside have the potential to affect the whole areas future prosperity. Source: icLiverpool 14 December 2003: DLR Canary Wharf Station wins award The Docklands Light Railway station at Canary Wharf has won the prestigious Secure Stations award. The station is one of the few unmanned stations in the UK to have won this award and shows the high standards that have been reached. Serco Docklands and the British Transport Police worked together to achieve these standards and the judges were particularly impressed with the CCTV system which is monitored at all times covering the whole station, the provision of emergency alarms on all platforms, patrols from both the DLR and BTP at night, training of DLR staff in conflict avoidance and the placement of clear maps to help passengers with their onward journey. On Monday 8 December a plaque was unveiled at the station with MP for Tower Hamlets, Jim Fitzpatrick on hand to congratulate the DLR. Neil McLean, Managing Director of Serco Docklands also revealed that they are currently working on securing the same status for all of their stations and that two more should be announced soon. Source: Docklands Light Railway 13 December 2003: Blackpool Tramway Update Repaints dominate this months news with Balloon 710 and Brush 636 leading the way both receiving Metro Coastlines styles. 710 is now in an 'interesting' Line 7 purple and yellow style whilst 636 has received the Line 14 dark green and yellow version. 710 has certainly caused a lot of debate over the decision to paint in this style and pictures can be seen at the FTS website. The workshops have been busy during the past month as well with Balloon rebuild 724 and Illuminated Warship 736 progressing well. 724 now has the majority of its outer panelling in place with the glazing taking place in mid November. Meanwhile 736 now has the majority of the front and rear framework in situ and it is reported that the tram will soon move to the electrical compound for wiring to take place. Boat 605 has now received a set of overhauled trucks and next season will be able to return to use alongside its sisters. The Fylde Tramway News also report that Standard 49 will not be loaned by the Tramway Museum Society but that another tram (possibly Glasgow 1115 or 1297 - Edinburgh 35 has been turned down due to its 4 wheel status) may arrive in the resort instead. Finally the winter timetable was introduced on 3 November and remains as per previous winters with a 20 minute headway. If you have an interest in the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway why not join the Fylde Tramway Society? As a member you receive the monthly Fylde Tramway News which includes the latest news on Blackpool and nationwide plus articles and there are also regular tram tours in Blackpool. For more details click here Source: Fylde Tramway News 7 December 2003: Midland Metro Public Inquiry underway The Midland Metro public inquiry at the Hippodrome Theatre's Conference facilities got underway this week with the revealing of objections from major companies in the city. 95 objections were listed at the start of the inquiry from companies including the Hyatt, Novotel and Burlington hotels, House of Fraser and Beatties' stores and Richardson and Barberry - the developers of a local office complex soon to open. In addition the Victorian Society have posted an objection over what they would see as ruining the heritage of the city centre, particularly in Victoria Square. There was also a late objection received by Travel West Midlands (the local bus operator) over the Bus Mall in the city centre which has recently been altered meaning that bus services might have nowhere to go if Metro Line 2 is approved. Centro is hopeful that many of the objections, described as technical, will be sorted out before evidence has to be heard. Just before the inquiry opened the Liberal Democrats put another idea into the melting pot when they suggested that a Trolleybus scheme would be more viable for the city centre. The chances of this scheme being developed any further are almost non-existent but the Lib Dems in the city believe that it would cost a fifth of the Midland Metro extension plans. Source: icBirmingham 7 December 2003: Heavy Vehicle Recovery Truck testing in Nottingham This week has seen Nottingham Express Transit testing a heavy vehicle recovery truck to tow broken trams. This type of vehicle is usually used for towing broken down lorries but NET are testing it under the supervision of the Health and Safety Executive to see whether it is suitable for retrieving broken down trams. Source: This is Nottingham 7 December 2003: Croydon Tramlink price rises from January 2004 Transport for London have recently released their revised fare guide, valid from 4 January 2004. For Croydon Tramlink there is a single flat fare introduced for any journey with the price now set at £1. For customers who pre-pay for their tickets the price will only be 70p whilst for children the single fare is only 40p. The overall fares are of course doubled for return journeys. These changes replace the previous method of having 2 zones for Tramlink, with Wimbledon-Wandle Park being in Zone 3 with the remainder in Zone 4. As such it means that journeys which used to cross into 2 zones have in fact fallen in price for 30p, whilst other journeys are up by 10p. Meanwhile on the DLR (and Tube) there are more significant price rises, for example for a journey just in zone 1 it increases by 40p to £2. For full details of all the price changes in the capital visit the Transport for London website where there is a downloadable pdf file. Source: Transport for London