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| News...February 2005...News...February 2005...News...February 2005...News This Page was last updated Sunday 27 February 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. |
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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. |
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News In Brief Blackpool: Rebuilt Balloon 707 is the latest tram to pass to the Paint Shop for a start to be made on preparation for on a new all over advert. (27/2/05 - Paul Turner from Yahoo! Groups Blackpool_Transport) Blackpool: The woman killed after a collision with a tram near to the Orion Bingo Hall in Cleveleys last week has been named as 71 year old Jean Goddard. The Wyre Coroner, Dr James Adeley has been informed. (27/2/05 - Blackpool Today) Croydon: The Croydon Guardian has run a story this week about the proposed extensions to Tramlink and the work on the pro-tram lobby group South London Trams. The story does not cover any new ground but does give some further publicity for the extensions – for the full story follow the link to the right. (27/2/05 – Croydon Guardian) DLR: This past weekend has seen engineering works between Westferry and Island Gardens. A replacement bus service was to be operated whilst trains remained between Mudchute and Lewisham and on all other routes. (27/2/05 - DLR) Manchester: 1007 has had a set of electronic interior Passenger Information Displays (PIDs) – as fitted to the Phase 2 trams, however they have not yet been seen in operational use. The tram also has CCTV fitted, which utilises 4 of the clear hemispheres on the roof of each carriage. (27/2/05 - Gordon Ferguson) Nottingham: : It is rumoured that more PIDs are to be delivered at the end of this month for fitting to tram stops. This should enable double sided PIDs at tram stops. (27/2/05 - Joe Mills) ------------------------------------------------- Birkenhead: Progress continues on Lisbon 730 with rain guttering and tail light now fitted. Two air tanks have also been reconditioned, pressure tested and now await fitting whilst the trolley base has now been fitted to the roof. The truck has been rolled into place and the body lowered on jacks ready to mark off the new location points – needed because of regauging. Meanwhile, many components have been obtained for the restoration of Warrington 2 which is to commence soon. (20/2/05 - MTPS) Blackpool: A woman was killed on Monday (14 February) afternoon at the pedestrian crossing near the junction with Crescent Avenue in Cleveleys. She was struck by a tram and although taken to the Blackpool Victoria Hospital, she later died with head injuries. (20/2/05 - BBC News Online) Edinburgh: MSPs have thrown their support behind the second bill for Edinburgh’s trams. This follows on from the special committees set up to look at the proposals recommendation that they accepted it last week. (20/2/05 – BBC News Online) Manchester: No trams were operated between Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly Station today due to engineering works. There were trams from Eccles to Victoria and from Bury to Altrincham. Buses were used between Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly Station. (20/2/05 - Manchester Metrolink) ------------------------------------------------- EATM: Blackpool Vambac 11 has now had its 8 year major restoration finished at the East Anglian Transport Museum in Carlton Colville. To celebrate the fact the museum is to hold an official launch on Easter Saturday, 26 March 2005. 11 has not operated at the museum for over 20 years and a free vintage bus service will operate to Central Lowestoft every hour. (13/2/05 - East Anglian Transport Museum) Heaton Park: To update last weeks news the tramway will be open on Sundays and Bank Holidays from 20 March (but is not open on Good Friday) until the end of October and also on Saturdays in July and August. The full tramway will be in operation from the start of the season and the shop has also been refurbished and heavily re-stocked. (13/2/05 - John Whitehouse, Heaton Park) Sheffield: Stagecoach Supertram have launched a Love2b poetic competition to coincide with Valentines Day. They are asking people to put their fingers to the keyboard, think “poetic” and send them their thoughts. The most creative entries will be published on trams and tram stops and the best entry of all will receive a Supertram good bag including a pair of free tram tickets. Full details can be found at the official Supertram website.(13/2/05 - Stagecoach Supertram) ------------------------------------------------- Crich: The Museum will be open daily from 12-20 February for the Half Term week. There will be a Make a Mini Tram Workshop in the afternoons of 14-18 February. (6/2/05 - Crich Tramway Village) DLR: 70 and 85 are now back in service in the new “river” style livery. As regards the Olympic Bid livery, it can be confirmed that 06 is in the Red and White version whilst 92 is in the Blue and Orange style. (6/2/05 - Chris Cooper) ------------------------------------------------- |
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TRAMS BEAT BUSES TO GETTING PEOPLE OUT OF CARS Sunday 27 February 2005 A new report released in the last week by PTEG (representing the UK’s PTEs) claims that new light rail systems are far better at attracting motorists and cutting congestion than improvements to bus services. The report, titled “What Light Rail Can do for Cities”, was produced by consultants Steer Davies Gleave main findings include: * Typically, light rail achieves six times the level of traffic reduction achieved by major improvements to bus services. Around 20% of rush hour light rail users have switched from the car – compared with between 4% and 6.5% for bus improvement schemes. At weekends up to 50% of people travelling had previously travelled by car. * All UK light rail and tram schemes are popular and are near or at capacity in the rush hours. UK light rail now takes 22 million car journeys off the road each year. * When passenger numbers are high, light rail can be more cost effective than the bus alternative. * Tram schemes have played an important part in delivering regeneration and shaping how and when it occurs. All UK tram schemes have led to increases in commercial and residential property values. Kieran Preston, the chair of PTEG said: “Light Rail is hugely popular with the public, but has fallen out of favour with some commentators – after an expensive from of PFI inflated the cost of new schemes. Indeed its becoming increasingly fashionable amongst the chattering classes of the transport debate to suggest that the bus can do the job a tram…Compared to the bus alternative, tram schemes attract more motorists, move more efficiently, promote more regeneration, and, in the long term, can be cheaper too.” Mr Preston added: “This report also shows that although UK light rail is a success story there are lessons to be learned, from both home and abroad, about how light rail schemes can be delivered faster, better and cheaper. Working with the industry, and with the Department for Transport, we are determined to ensure that the next tranche of schemes learns the lessons of the first generation of schemes.” The report was to form the PTEG’s evidence to the House of Commons Transport Select Committee inquiry into light rail. The full report can be downloaded here Source: PTEG EIGHT FIRMS ON MERSEYTRAM SHORTLIST Sunday 27 February 2005 Eight firms have been revealed as being on the shortlist to build Merseytram, 2 weeks after the original contract had to be re-advertised following Balfour Beatty’s unsuitability for the job. 21 companies expressed an interest and this has been whittled down to 8 firms – including Balfour Beatty. There are four parts of the contract and some of the firms are interested in all 4 sections whilst others are only keen on doing certain parts of it. The four areas are: civils (track, depot etc.), utility diversions, systems integration and signalling/telecoms. Among those believed to be on the shortlist are: * Balfour Beatty (all parts) * Amec (all parts) * Laing O’Rourke (civils and utility diversion) * Bombardier/Grant Rail (civils, system integration and signalling/telecoms) Neil Scales, Chief Executive of Merseytravel, said of the news: “I am absolutely delighted with the response we have had since the notice went out.” In other brief news from Liverpool the DfT have confirmed that no legal challenges have been submitted in the statutory 6 week period after the results of the Public Inquiry and so approval stands. Also preliminary work will start on the tram depot on the East Lancs Road in 2 weeks. Source: icLiverpool LEEDS SUPERTRAM COULD FAIL BY DEFAULT Sunday 27 February 2005 Metro (West Yorkshire PTE) have confirmed that Leeds Supertram could fail by default if the decision is not forthcoming from government by Easter. It has been confirmed that the powers granted by Parliament to compulsory purchase land required for the scheme run out in early 2006. Metro’s Director General, Kieran Preston said: “Unless the Department for Transport gives Leeds approval for Supertram in the next few weeks, and we can start the process of purchasing these packages of land, time will run out. If those powers to purchase these 120 or so packages of land expire…we will face going through a new Public Works Inquiry and a renewed procurement process, which will set the scheme back several more years and would cost several millions more” A delegation from the city is to meet with the Transport Minister, Tony McNulty on Monday 7 March to express their concerns and also to outline the apparent north-south divide in funding for transport projects. Mr Preston added: “Leeds stands to remain the largest city in Europe without a tram or metro system, deprived of all the economic and social benefits one would bring.” Source: Leeds Supertram NET USERS ARE PLEASED WITH SERVICE Sunday 27 February 2005 The first major survey of tram users in Nottingham has seen users back the system, in independent research undertaken in October. 1,626 passengers were interviewed and 96% of these said they were either satisfied or very satisfied with the service. In addition 78% of passengers said they were pleased with the helpfulness of the conductors whilst 12% said they were unhappy with them. Colin Lea, the Marketing Manager for NET, said: “We are encouraging by this feedback. We are, however, always looking to improve and we will be exploring ways of enhancing our already growing reputation.” The majority of those involved in the research were commuting (34%) with others shopping (26%), travelling to school or university (14%), visiting friends and family (11%), for leisure (2%) and making an onward journey (2%). Other items in the survey which were seen as a success from the majority of those questioned included reliability, punctuality and the information and real time information provided at the stops. However, on the minus side passengers wanted to see more frequent trams to alleviate the overcrowding and also further lines to add to the network. Source: This is Nottingham MAJOR METROLINK FARE RISES FROM TODAY Sunday 27 February 2005 Fares on Manchester’s Metrolink network increase on an average 3.9% as from today, although many Peak Returns and Adult and Child seasons will remain as were before. Tickets for single and off-peak return journeys rise by 10p as do all Manchester City Centre trips. The concessionary fare will also rise to 60p (single) and £1.10 (return), at present the single fare for concessions is only 45p. These fare increases have been increased following independent research which shows the majority of passengers make return journeys. All revenue earned will be used directly to improve services. The increases, rather predictability, have not been met with open arms, particularly from pensioners, with Joan Hall, north-west spokesman for the National Pensioners Convention saying: “This is a tremendously big increase. The pension does not go up at anything like the same rate. When you add on council tax and things like that, it is getting to a stage where pensioners will be trapped in their own homes. Travel is very important to pensioners to keep active. This is very, very unfair and it is wrong.” Geoff Inskip, the GMPTE’s Deputy Director General said: “We know that most passengers who travel by tram make return journeys or use season tickets to take advantage of the cost savings. The price of the vast majority of these tickets remains unchanged. Metrolink is a very popular form of transport and it remains excellent value for money. I would urge passengers to think about the journeys they make and buy the type of ticket most appropriate. In most cases, this will be a return or a season ticket.” It is hoped that the fare rises will raise around £300,000 per year to be spent on service improvements and the GMPTE also said that concessionary fares will not go up again for 2 years. Source: Manchester Online, Manchester Metrolink & GMPTE NET DO THEIR BUT FOR RED NOSE DAY 2005 Sunday 27 February 2005 Nottingham Express Transit are organising several special events to help raise money for the 2005 Red Nose Day, held in March. NET staff are to dress up on the day itself and collecting donations on the tram and the trams themselves will sport red noses! Arrow are to donate the fares from one tram to Comic Relief (could be as much as £5,000) whilst NCT will also give £5,000. In addition there are to be 6 Wilkinson Street depot tours with limited spaces. Places can be booked on these tours with a minimum of a £10 donation by either emailing info@thetram.net or phoning 0115 942 7777. The tours take place on Monday 7, Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 March at 11am and 6pm and places are awarded on a first come, first served basis. Finally, NET are to auction the chance to drive a tram on the network on Sunday 13 March. The auction will be run through ebay and will launch tomorrow (28 February) with all proceeds again going to Comic Relief. The day starts at 7am and will include a tour of the tram depot, an introduction to the tram and cab controls, a number of initial test drives up and down on a single track in the depot to get to used to the tram and the chance to drive through the sand shed and tram wash. Then, subject to satisfactory performance, the lucky winner will oversee and then drive on the main line from Wilkinson Street to Phoenix Park (4 mile return trip). On returning to the depot the winner will be given a download from their tram showing the speeds they reached. This is the first (and possibly only) time that a member of the public has been given the chance to drive a tram on the system and will only be possible by putting in the highest bid on ebay as from tomorrow, terms and conditions apply with only over 18 year olds allowed to apply an a full driving license is required (with a maximum of 3 penalty points). Full details on all the fundraising events can be found on the official website. Source: Nottingham Express Transit TRANSPORT COMMITTEE LOOKING INTO LIGHT RAIL Sunday 27 February 2005 As has been previously reported on BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE, a Transport Select Committee has been looking into light rail schemes in the UK in recent weeks. This week the National Audit Office were called to give evidence and they warned that gas and water companies could well push up the cost of schemes such as Merseytram. Promoters of light rail schemes have to pay 92.5% of the bill for any utility diversions. The NAO urged promoters to question whether many of the mains really needed to be moved – and whether the work could be done more cheaply by other firms. Keith Holden, the NAO’s director of transport studies said: “There is an issue about the extent to which promoters question utility companies on their cost estimates and challenge diversions. Do they question whether they are needed, the extent to which they can be reduced in scope, or who carries out the work?” Others from the NAO giving evidence claimed that the UK needed to look very carefully how tram systems were planned and built in places such as France and Germany and learn from these successes. The inquiry is continuing and will produce a report by the middle of March. Source: icLiverpool & This is Nottingham PRESTON TO LOOK AT TRAMS? Sunday 27 February 2005 On Thursday (24 February) councillors in Preston were to discuss whether trams should be introduced to the city to help solve the problem of congestion. Councillor Michael Lavalette is presenting the motion to the council and he said: “Preston needs this to cope with the increasing volume of traffic. Preston has its sights set on becoming the third major city in the North West. I’m looking for the council to make a commitment to this system or something like it.” He argued at the meeting that without a tram system Preston would always play second fiddle to both Manchester and Liverpool. * The article on BBC News Online also includes a direct link to BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE! The first time that the site has got anything like national exposure! Source: BBC News Online TRAM ROBBERS GET 2 YEAR METROLINK BAN Sunday 27 February 2005 Two of the three men involved in robberies on board Manchester’s Metrolink system last Easter have been given 2 year banning orders from travelling on the trams, after being convicted in court. Peter Kane, 22, and Terry Zac Hulmes, 18, were given the ASBOs during sentencing at Manchester Crown Court this week. In addition Kane was jailed for 3 years and Hulmes was sent to prison for 16 months. The third man, Michael Branchflower, 20, was also sentenced for 2 other robberies and was jailed for 5 years and 8 months – he did not receive an ABSO because of the length of his sentence. The incident on board an Eccles to Manchester service occurred last April when a gang told passengers not to travel through Langworthy. Men armed with knives and teat gas canisters boarded the tram and threatened the passengers before robbing 4 on board on Easter Saturday. Salford council’s crime and disorder spokesman Councillor David Lancaster said: “These are despicable offences and we are using our powers to ensure that, whatever sentence the court system deems appropriate, residents and Metrolink users get adequate protection from these individuals.” Source: Manchester Online FOUR ON DLR FRANCHISE LIST Sunday 20 February 2005 Four bidders have been named on the shortlist for the Docklands Light Railway by DLRL this week. They are: Serco Ltd (the current incumbent) First Carillion Ltd Keolis/Balfour Beatty Transdev RATP Docklands Ltd Serco were originally granted a 7 year franchise in April 1997, which was subsequently extended by two years to cover the extension to London City Airport, which is scheduled to open in December this year. The new franchise will commence in April 2006. The winning bidder will be required to deliver a service, taking into account performance and quality that represents value for money for passengers, DLRL and TfL and maintain the railway other than the Lewisham and London City Airport extensions which are the responsibility of separate concessionaires. He decision should be made by the end of this year. Source: DLR BIRMINGHAM RISKING FUNDING CUT WITH “DUD” PROJECTS Sunday 20 February 2005 Professor David Begg, head of the Government’s Commission for Integrated Transport (CfIT) has warned Birmingham that the city council’s continuation with “dud” projects could put at risk funding for major transport projects. Professor Begg said: “Birmingham has deserved more prominence in transport decisions than it has had in the past. But things will be so much worse if the city council backs dud projects.” Included in these alleged dud projects were bus lanes not being used and the plan to stick Midland Metro underground. Professor Begg added that he would be “absolutely flabbergasted” if the feasibility study on an underground came back with the cost benefit ratio of 1:5 required by the DfT. When the Birmingham Post tried to contact someone from the council regarding these claims there was no one able to comment. Source: icBirmingham BID PUT IN FOR METROLINK UPGRADE FUNDING Sunday 13 February 2005 The Greater Manchester PTE have put a bid in to upgrade the current Manchester Metrolink system and the DfT are believed to be looking at it as a matter of urgency. BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE reported last January that the GMPTE were to put a bid in for extra trams but the full details of the bid have now been revealed. The amount of money being asked for is £102 million and has been welcomed by the GMPTA with the Chair, Roger Jones, saying: “Whilst passenger satisfaction with Metrolink remains at a reasonable level, we share people’s frustration at some of the deficiencies that are becoming apparent as the system gets older. The comfort of the ride along the Bury line is very poor at present and a major renewals programme for the track is now due. The popularity of Metrolink has led to regular overcrowding in the peak periods for some time now, and lately we have seen service reliability undermined as trams are taken out of service for refurbishments. Having more vehicles at our disposal will alleviate both these problems and help maintain Metrolink’s status as an attractive alternative to the car. Our proposals should address these issues and I am heartened by the Transport Minister’s pledge to look at them urgently.” The full proposals are as follows: * eight new vehicles to help cope with passenger demands in the peak periods and improve system reliability and performance * further upgrades to stops and vehicles to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act * Improving the waiting environment at stops with better lighting and more information displays, along with the replacement of the existing ticket machines * Major infrastructure works including the upgrade and renewal of track on the Bury line and more limited works on the city centre and Altrincham lines. £44 million of the money will comes from the GMPTE with the remainder being taken from the £520 million transport improvement fund revealed by Alistair Darling at the end of last year. Because of these planned upgrades a package of improved integrated transport measures is being prepared for submission to the DfT by the end of next month. In other news from Manchester it has been revealed that plans to scrap Metrolink extensions and replace them with bus routes were turned down at the working group, set-up after the rejection of the “Big Bang”. The Manchester Evening News obtained papers through the Freedom of Information Act which also revealed that the three extra lines could cost at least £900 million if proceeded with and take up to 10 years to be constructed. Source: GMPTE & Manchester Online EDINBURGH TRAM PLAN CARRIES ON Sunday 13 February 2005 The plan for trams to return to the streets of Edinburgh will carry on after a committee of MSPs agreed that the bill should proceed to the next stage. The committee was setup to examine the proposals for the second line from Princes Street to Newbridge via the airport. The deputy convenor of the committee, Jeremy Purvis MSP said: “We do have some outstanding concerns about a possible financial shortfall and the projected passenger numbers for the scheme. We expect to return to these issues if the parliament is required to make a final decision on the bill at final stage.” They recommended that the bill should now move to the consideration stage where the MSPs are to look at the detail of the proposals and take evidence. The convenor, Bill Aitken MSP added: “Providing sustainable transport options to support and enhance the competitive advantage of the capital is important and the committee believes that trams can bring real and practical benefits to Edinburgh.” Source: BBC News Online BLACKPOOL TRANSPORT MAKE A HLF BID FOR WESTERN TRAIN Sunday 13 February 2005 The latest edition of the Fylde Tramway News reports that Blackpool Transport and the Blackpool Illuminations Department have submitted an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund to fully restore the Western Train, 733+734. They have been able to put this bid in because Blackpool Transport is owned by the Council and as such the HLF decided they did not “distribute its profit for private gain”. If they are successful in getting funding for this project it is believed that it will have to be a restoration rather than refurbishment a la 736. In other news from Blackpool this month, Jubilee 762 is on target to be have its overhaul completed by Easter with exterior panelling almost complete and attention now turning to refurbishing the interior. A decision has been made to do a swap of Balloon cars stored with 703 likely to be reinstated to service with 708 being stored after its snowplough use this winter. Elsewhere Centenary 645 remains stored at the rear of the depot awaiting further work on its overhaul whilst Coronation 660 and Balloon 713 seen progress continue with their respective overhauls. * 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 or here. Source: Fylde Tramway News DLR CITY AIRPORT EXTENSION VIADUCT COMPLETED Sunday 13 February 2005 The viaduct for the London City Airport extension of the Docklands Light Railway has now been completed by the City Airport Rail Enterprises consortium (AMEC/Royal Bank of Scotland). The final 36 tonne concrete viaduct section has now been put into place in the almost three metre elevated section. The construction of the viaduct was in over 800 individually designed sections (ranging from 36 to 84 tonnes) and they were then put into place one at a time by a 100 metre long rail mounted lifting gantry. Work will now continue with the construction of the stations, signalling and track laying before testing and trial running is introduced in the summer/autumn period. The 4.4 km extension is scheduled to commence operations in December 2005. Source: Docklands Light Railway MORE NOISE COMPLAINTS IN NOTTINGHAM Sunday 13 February 2005 The Nottingham Evening Post have reported continued noise complaints from residents near to the Noel Street diamond crossing in Hyson Green. One family claims that they cannot sleep because of the noise caused by the trams clattering over the crossing. Khadim Hussain said: “They said they would reduce speed and they haven’t done. The main thing for me is that they drop their speed.” The Nottingham Tram Consortium undertook noise tests on the area of track being complained about last year and offered compensation to residents to install double glazing and make other sound insulation improvements. Mr Hussain rejected the £1,970 compensation offered as he has been to a neighbour’s house which had double glazing and he claims that it made no difference. Colin Lea, from the consortium, said in reply to these complaints: “Drivers should be adhering to that speed limit [10kmph] – they are randomly checked.” He added that they would be investigating Mr Hussain’s complaints. Source: This is Nottingham MIDLAND METRO TO GET EXTRA MONEY Sunday 13 February 2005 Centro have announced that the £3million tax rebate they have received is to be ploughed back into the Midland Metro. They have been fighting for the rebate for 11 years which dates back to the time of the privatisation of the railways when land and property which was owned by the PTE was transferred to Railtrack. Centro did receive compensation but this was then taxed by the government. Councillor Gary Clarke, the chairman of the West Midlands PTA said: “This is a first class example of the diligent management of our finances that always aims to get the best deal for passengers. Everyone in the West Midlands can now feel the benefit of this tax refund.” In other news from Birmingham this week a budget was due to be agreed by the WMPTA of £175million. Councillor Clarke added about this budget: “This three-year approach to our budgeting will allow investment in the expansion of Midland Metro and other improvements to public transport across the West Midlands.” Source: icBirmingham MERSEYTRAM THROWN BACK INTO CHAOS Sunday 6 February 2005 The troubled Merseytram project is back in chaos after Balfour Beatty, one of the three members of the MET consortium, were dropped by Merseytravel. Neil Scales, Chief Executive of Merseytravel, recommended that Balfour be dropped after they failed to reach an acceptable development agreement with him. They were informed of his decision on Tuesday (1 February) and since that date an emergency notice has been placed in the European Journal inviting other contractors to come forward with an interest in building Merseytram. The Liverpool Daily Post report that Balfour were dropped for three main reasons, the cost, timetable and design. Balfour were sticking to a timetable where Line One would not be completed until November 2008, unacceptable as the agreement reached last year with the City Council was that there would be no construction in the city centre in 2008 due to the Capital of Culture status. In addition Balfour were keen on using some heavy rail type designs on the route rather than the light rail designs favoured by Merseytravel. A spokeswoman from Balfour Beatty said: “We have not been dropped or removed. There is no contract in place to be dropped or removed from. There have been ongoing discussions and there are still ongoing discussions.” As a result of this rejection the MET consortium is no longer in existence although it is believed that the other two companies, Keolis (operators) and Parsons Brinckerhoff (system integrators and designers) will remain in place but will be joined by a new firm to build the system. At least three other civil engineering companies are likely to be interested in bidding, including the possibility that Balfour Beatty may come along with a revised bid. A Merseytravel spokesman said: “We remain confident that Line One of Merseytram will be built on time and on budget.” In other news from Liverpool, Bombardier have been chosen to construct the trams for the system. A Merseytravel spokesman said: “ We have chosen Bombardier as preferred supplier to design and build the trams for Line One and Two of Merseytram. Work is progressing well on all design aspects. There are examples all over the world of the quality of the vehicles they build.” Bombardier trams are already in use in Croydon and Nottingham in the UK. 21 trams will be built at the costs of approximately £1.75 million each for Line One with a further 23 trams for Line Two at a discounted price. Source: icLiverpool & BBC News Online METRO CITY CENTRE EXTENSION CLOSE TO BEING SCRAPPED Sunday 6 February 2005 It is looking increasingly likely that the Conservative and Liberal Democrat leaders of Birmingham City Council are edging closer towards abandoning the Snow Hill to Five Ways Midland Metro extensions. It is reported that they are pinning all their hopes that the feasibility study will show that underground running is the way forward. Councillor Leon Gregory (Conservative, Billesley) said: “I am not saying we should completely rule it out because we can’t do that at this stage but it would be extremely difficult to run the metro down narrow streets. You have to look at the impact it would have on the business environment.” His comments were echoed by Lib Dem Councillor, Paul Tilsley: “People won’t stand for it. The only way we can proceed in Birmingham with light rail is to put it underground.” He also claimed that construction of the tracks for the Midland Metro in the cit centre would cause three and a half years of mayhem. As has been previously reported Centro are not supporters of the underground scheme but they would not be able to proceed with the extension if the City council withdrew their support. Source: icBirmingham TRACK REPAIRS COMMENCE AT HEATON PARK Sunday 6 February 2005 Last year the tramway were hit by the theft of a large amount of track which was to be used in relaying sections in the Park. Now, after discussions with Manchester City Council, a quantity of second-hand rail has been obtained from Blackpool – this rail is in quite good condition and should be in use for many years to come. Repairs to the track on the main drive has recently started and the Society are now hopeful that they will be able to return to full operation this season. Meanwhile, progress continues with Eades Horse Car L53 and the bulk of upper deck seats are now in place and there has been commencement on the handrails. Improvements to the depot area also continue with enhancements to the archive store and repainting of some of the public areas. The Heaton Park Tramway will start operation on Good Friday and will then be open on Sundays and Bank Holidays from 1300-1700. At the moment it is likely that not all the tramway will be operational at the start of the season but it is hoped to resume these operations before the year is out. In the meantime the tramway may be operated in two sections as last year. Source: Heaton Park Tramway GOVERNMENT ARE COMMITTED TO METROLINK SAYS BLAIR Sunday 6 February 2005 Tony Blair gave the clearest indication yet that his Labour government were committed to the “Big Bang” of Manchester Metrolink during a chat with 10 lucky Manchester Evening News readers. He said that he supported the extensions 100 per cent, in principle. He added: “We want to sit down with people in Manchester and work out proper plans that give you the three and a half lines you want. The basis of the project is good. It performs all the things we want in a light rail project. It helps business and its good for the environment. I think we are on the right track.” He had early said that they would look kindly on a properly costed plan as part of a bid for further money from the new Transport Innovation Fund (TIF). He said: “The TIF gives us further opportunities. That fund builds up over time and light rail is very much part of what we want to do. The real issue is increasingly going to be less about the money than getting a visible plan. The three and a half lines is exactly what we are looking for and what the people of Manchester want. Don’t be under any doubt – we want to see the Metrolink built.” Source: Manchester Online CONGESTION CHARGING NEEDED FOR METROLINK EXTENSIONS? Sunday 6 February 2005 This week has seen the start of a debate in Manchester as to whether motorists will have to pay to travel into the city centre so extra money can be forthcoming for Metrolink extensions. Alistair Darling put forward the plans in a letter to Withington MP Keith Bradley: “This budget [the £520 million] can be supplemented either from local resources or bidding from funding from the TIF, which would be available if Manchester comes forward with a bold integrated package to tackle congestion. If Manchester authorities can come up with the right overall approach, the potential is still there to use these sources to develop a route map for delivery for the 3 and a half lines over time.” However it was later denied by a spokesman for the DfT that Mr Darling was suggesting congestion charging for Manchester, which had been met with opposition anyway. Councillor Keith Whitmore, the deputy group leader for the Lib Dems on the GMPTA said: “I do think there is the threat of the government saying: “You look at congestion charging and we will look into whether there is money available for Metrolink.” That would not be at all acceptable. We must not be sidelined into considering congestion charging, we need to focus on what people want, which is to get Metrolink back on track.” It was also claimed by Chris Mulligan, Director General of the GMPTA, that Manchester would not be forced into congestion charging: “I have asked the Secretary of State whether the price of Metrolink is congestion charging, and both in the House of Commons and in private, he has said is not. They want to see bold and innovative schemes which can apply for money through the Transport Innovation Fund and we shall submit a bold and innovative scheme by the end of the March.” Source: Manchester Online NET PRAISED IN PARLIAMENT Sunday 6 February 2005 Transport Minister Charlotte Atkins has praised Nottingham Express Transit in Parliament during a debate. She was questioned in the House of Commons by Nottingham North MP Graham Allen and replied: “The successes of the Nottingham Express Transit line one are certainly encouraging, and we will take this into account in considering the case for extension. The performance of Nottingham’s buses and trams has been very effective, with a very high reliability-level.” Source: This is Nottingham FOUR BID FOR NEW DLR STRATFORD STATION Sunday 23 January 2005 Four main contractors have been short listed for the tender competition to build a new station at Stratford to be funded by TfLs £10bn Five Year Investment Programme. The four companies are: Hochtief (UK) Ltd., Gleeson MCL Ltd., Mowlem and Taylor Woodrow and a decision will be made by mid-March with construction commencing starting as soon as April this year. The design will have two platforms with a safer, more efficient and accessible environment for passengers. The current station has been in place since the DLR opened in 1987 and has just one cramped platform. Source: Docklands Light Railway HALCROW TO LOOK AT TRAMS FOR GLASGOW Sunday 23 January 2005 Design and Management specialists have been employed by Glasgow City Council to act as Consultants for the Light Rapid Transit project. They will work alongside council engineers to undertake economic assessments of the scheme and traffic management before coming up with the final blueprint for a LRT model. The initial plan is to link a new harbour development along the north bank of the Clyde with the city centre. At this stage no decision has been made as to whether monorail or guided buses will be employed on the route but what is know is that it should be able to be converted to a tram system at a later date. A council spokesman said: “This is a big project and Halcrow offered the best expertise and value for money of those firms which applied for the contract. This will now hopefully take the project on a significant step forward." It is claimed that the Council could be ready to lodge planning applications as soon as the summer. Source: Glasgow Evening Times NOTTINGHAM REACTION TO MPS INQUIRY INTO UK TRAMS Sunday 6 February 2005 As BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE reported last week the MPs Transport Committee is to hold an inquiry into UK light rail schemes as a result of last years NAO report. The committee are due to report their findings on 27 February and it is believed that it could affect plans for future expansion of light rail in the UK. In Nottingham, Broxtowe MP Nick Palmer said: “It’s a sensible idea. In addition to arguing about individual routes, there’s debate about the principle of tram systems. The more information we have about them, the better.” The chairman of Nottingham Express Transit, John Taylor, added: “The tram has been outstanding value for money. Ours is the only one that is fully integrated. It is run by the bus company, not in competition with it, and it travels from the train station. If you look at Hucknall, the feeling of the place has been completely changed. It was a town in the middle of nowhere and it is now attached to a major city by the tram.” He concludes by making a controversial statement: “We have been asked to come because we are the only successful tram system.” Source: This is Nottingham CROYDON TRAMLINK NEWS UPDATE Sunday 6 February 2005 On Thursday 20 January 2547 was the cause of chaos on the Wimbledon line with a mechanical failure of its pantograph at Mitcham. The failure was in the guide rod (forming part of the parallelogram linkage with the bottom arm of the pantograph) and it had to be physically strapped down. This meant that the engineers had to gain access to the trams roof which in turn, of course, meant the overhead had to be isolated. When they got up to the panto they discovered that it had managed to weld itself to the overhead and they had to cut it away from the wire. 2537 and 2550 were used to sandwich 2547 and return it to depot. Whilst the rescue operation, which took approximately 8 hours, was under way trams from Croydon terminated at Mitcham Junction and a shuttle service was operated by 2537 from Belgrave Walk to Wimbledon. A points problem at East Croydon necessitated the use of the centre platform from 28-31 January. The problem was the trailing points between the stop and Dingwall Road with the northern points blade having became detached where it is connected onto the body of the points. A 10kph TSR was put into place from the platform ends until they were clear of Dingwall Road. The new timetable, due to be introduced with the opening of the Centrale stop, is expected to start in the spring. It will see a Wimbledon-New Addington route (13 trams required) and a Beckenham Junction-Elmers End route via the Croydon town centre loop (9 trams needed). This means that 22 of the trams will be needed to operate the standard service, leaving only 2 spare. Finally, it looks like the “new” tram required as part of the Centrale stop may be a brand new tram after all. TfL did look at acquiring an ex-Cologne K-4000 vehicle but reportedly commercial obstacles have been found in the way. However, Vienna have recently put an order to Bombardier for 38 low-floor LRVs which are to an updated design of the Croydon version. For more on the above stories and further news from Croydon Tramlink visit the Unofficial Website – here. Source: Unofficial Croydon Tramlink |