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| News...January 2006...News...January 2006...News...January 2006...News This Page was last updated Sunday 29 January 2006 |
| 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. Photos on this page: Blackpool OMO 8 in the Rigby Road workshops following its 2005 repaint (added 8 January 2006) David Howard - outgoing boss of Isle of Man Transport (added 22 January 2006) MER 7 seen whilst being used on engineering works on the Manx Electric Railway in January 2006 (added 22 January 2006) Stagecoach Supertram 115 showing off the new fleet livery at the launch ceremony on 27 January 2006 (added 29 January 2006) |
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News In Brief Birkenhead: Work has commenced on attending to the paintwork of Wallasey 78, with the cream panels currently being lined out with dark green. Meanwhile, the two major restoration projects are also seeing progress continue - Warrington 2 sees work continue on restoring the interior woodwork whilst Lisbon 730 has had its fleet numbers and company decal applied with adjustments being made to the power operated doors. Photos of the work on 78 can be found here, 2 here and 730 here.(29/1/06 - MTPS) Birmingham: Figures released this week show that more people are using Midland Metro to travel to Wolverhampton. The figures have grown by 3% in the last year, helping to bring the overall percentage of people using public transport to reach Wolverhampton to 30.1% - compared to the 29% required by the Local Transport Plan. (29/1/06 - Centro) Edinburgh: A group of high profile politicians are due to speak at a public meeting on the tram proposals. The event has been organised by the anti tram group Friends of the Roseburn Urban Wildlife Corridor and takes place on Wednesday 8 February at 7.30pm in Blackhall School, Craigcrook Road. (29/1/06 - The Scotsman) Manchester: : Services on the Eccles line will not run after 1730 next Sunday (5 February) due to essential engineering works. As usual a replacement bus service will run instead serving all stations from Eccles to G-Mex, with the exception of Pomona and Cornbrook, passengers then have to resume their journey at G-Mex by tram. (29/1/06 - Metrolink) Manchester: A 17 year old boy was killed by a tram at Prestwich Metrolink station last Sunday (22 January) evening when he stepped onto the tracks. The teenager was struck by a tram heading for Prestwich from Besses o’ th’ Barn when the incident happened. The Police are not treating the incident as suspicious. (29/1/06 - BBC News Online) Nottingham: The youngest person yet has been banned from travelling on NET after he assaulted five tram staff following a drinking session. Isaac Tinsley, 17, claimed he had drunk 13 pints and around seven shorts when the incident happened on Saturday 5 November 2005. He was sentenced to four months detention after pleading guilty to five assaults and a charge of obstructing a police officer. He was also banned from boarding a tram, or approaching or communicating with NET staff for two years under an ASBO. (22/1/06 - This is Nottingham) ------------------------------------------------- b>Birmingham: The results of the public consultation into the West Midlands Local Transport Plan have revealed that 79% of people questioned believe that in order to tackle the growing congestion in the West Midlands extensions are needed on the Midland Metro network. Of these results 40% think that extending Midland Metro is a top four priority, alongside improving rail services, more on high maintenance and extending the bus showcase network. (22/1/06 - Centro) Blackpool: The Trampower tram has commenced testing in Blackpool following its arrival in the resort during December last year. Photos of the tram on test on Friday (20 January) can be seen here. (22/1/06 - Alan Robson) Blackpool: Members from Blackpool Borough Council have had a meeting with Department for Transport officials on the bid for funding on the Blackpool Tramway. The meeting was described as “an important step down the line for the tramway bid" according to the Strategic Director of the Council, Jackie Potter. A decision is now awaited from the DfT as to whether they award the funding for the upgrade of the 11 mile line from Starr Gate to Fleetwood. (22/1/06 - BBC News Online) Manchester: 1025 has returned to the Queens Road depot in the revised livery following its mid life refurbishment. It currently has no motor bogies, so a return to service is still expected to be some way off. The service situation continues to be an issue with the 0806 Bury-Altrincham to service a rarity to operate and the 1725 Piccadilly-Bury a 50/50 chance of operation. (22/1/06 - Gordon Ferguson) Manchester: Commuters in Eccles are petitioning for improvements to the Metrolink service. The organiser of the petition, Rena Roshi said that the service between Piccadilly and Eccles is unacceptable and complained passengers often had to wait an hour for a tram. They want a tram every 6 minutes and also demand better customer service. (22/1/06 - Manchester Online) Manchester: As well as supporting the bid for funding for the Blackpool Tramway the North West Regional Assembly has backed many more projects, including the Metrolink extensions. 48% of the total £1.3bn allocated by the DfT will go to Greater Manchester projects. (22/1/06 - Manchester Online) Manchester: The bus station at the Shudehill Interchange will open to the public next Sunday (29 January), ensuring that it is a true interchange at last. Trams have already been using the interchange for a couple of years, with the stop being located to the city side of Victoria. (22/1/06 - GMPTE) ------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: Midland Metro are fitting air fresheners to their trams – with the smell of the seaside! Phil Bateman from Travel Midland Metro said: “The idea is to give you a reminder of your last summer holiday and hopefully give passengers a bit of a lift." The area is around 80 miles from the nearest coastline. (15/1/06 - BBC News Online) ------------------------------------------------- Blackpool (LTT): The cosmetic restoration of OMO 8 is continuing now it has moved to the LTT Depot. External features such as destination blinds have now been fitted with work now concentrating on the tram’s interior. A photo of the latest progress of the tram can be found here. (8/1/06 - Paul Turner from Yahoo! Groups Blackpool_Transport) Croydon: Services were disrupted on Tuesday (3 January) evening from around 5.30pm after a bomb scare in Croydon town centre. No trams were allowed through central Croydon with shuttle services running either side of the cordon, until it was lifted at around 6.45pm. (8/1/06 - icCroydon) DLR: Two further units have been noted in the new fleet livery, 50 and 56. (8/1/06 - Tony O'Dell) DLR: Services are being modified on the whole network until 15 January due to the London Boat Show. Details are not given on the official DLR website but passengers are advised to contact Customer Services on 020 7363 9700 – all routes are affected. (8/1/06 - DLR) Manchester: Services are being disrupted today (8 January) due to essential engineering works, the affected area is between the G-Mex and Piccadilly Station. Trams are running from Altrincham to G-Mex, Eccles to G-Mex and Bury to Piccadilly Station. The missing link is being connected by replacement buses from G-Mex to Piccadilly Station. (8/1/06 - Metrolink) ------------------------------------------------- Birkenhead: Lisbon 730 has made another test run as far as Woodside Ferry in the last week. This was part of a 6 tram cavalcade on Friday (30 December) which also included the two Hong Kong Cars and Birkenhead 20 amongst the other serviceable cars. Photos of the cavalcade can be seen here and photos of Lisbon 730 here. (1/1/06 - MTPS) Crich: Progress on the restoration of LUT 159 continues with work now progressing on the lifeguard metal work and sanding gear. The workshop is soon to receive a short blasting cabinet to help with restoration projects at the Museum. This will enable time to saved as components will not have to be collected and taken away for the blasting to take place – it should now take hours and not weeks to complete certain tasks. Other news sees an extra sandbox being restored for the historic diesel locomotive GMJ. (1/6/06 - Andy Bailey) Manchester: 1009 has re-entered service in the revised livery, carrying the small fleet numbers on the front and rear dash panels. It does not have a name. (1/1/06 - Gordon Ferguson) ------------------------------------------------- |
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Stagecoach Supertram 115 is the first of the 25 strong class to undergo its mid-life "refresh". The most noticeable change to the trams will be this new livery with the now familar Stagecoach swoosh at each end. The main part of the tram is blue and is a certain improvement to the previous white design. In this view we see 115 at the depot during the launch ceremony on 27 January 2006.
Photo: Peter Courtenay |
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SUPERTRAM GETS SMART NEW LOOK Sunday 29 January 2006 Stagecoach Supertram revealed their new look tram on Friday (27 January) following an extensive refurbishment and new livery. The refurbishment – know officially as a “refresh” – was unveiled on 115 and a special party was taken for a trip on the tram after the launch ceremony at the Nunnery Depot. The main change to the trams will be new livery which all 25 trams will eventually carry (except for any advertising contracts). It is a mainly blue design with a red and orange swoosh at each end – not unlike the livery held by South West Trains new outer suburban Desiros (South West Trains is like Supertram owned by Stagecoach). The livery also features a new and modernised Supertram logo. The official Supertram website says of the new livery: “The new livery, in an eye catching blue, orange and red, has been designed giving consideration to the latest disability legislation which requires a high degree of contrast between the main body of the vehicle and the doors.” Aside from the obvious livery changes the interior of the trams are also seeing treatment. The whole of the floor has been re-covered in two contrasting tones of blue – lighter blue for the majority of the area and a darker shade where greater care needs to take place, such as on steps and the articulation. The low floor area of the tram has been changed to comply with the latest Disability Discrimination Act. The four seats between the doors have been removed and replaced with a perch seat with the floor area marked for wheelchair users. Opposite this three drop down seats have been installed. In addition five seats at each end of the tram have been marked as priority seats for the disabled and elderly – double the number the government have said there should be. Other internal changes are the painting of grab rails a very bright yellow along with step edges being obviously highlighted. New saloon lighting has been installed and the seat covers are being replaced with a new darker blue design. Probably the best internal change though has to be the change of the request stop button and door opening buttons. Previously this was just one button and caused confusion (well it did to me anyway!) but now different buttons have been installed. The stop request buttons have been changed for a new easier to operate design and the door open buttons are now separate buttons using the same design as those that are currently used to open the doors from the outside. Each tram is expected to take between 6 and 8 weeks to complete and the work is in addition to the fitting of CCTV, new destination displays and the installation of GPS to ensure no more wrong stop announcements. Photos of the interior of the trams can be found here, whilst further images of the trams exterior can be found at The Trams.co.uk.
Councillor Andrew Burns, Executive Member for Transport on the Council said: “The development of Tram Lines 1 and 2 are undoubtedly the key infrastructure projects for the centre of the Edinburgh city region. The tram will deliver the quality transport system, which an expanding and prosperous Edinburgh needs. The key benefit of the current proposals is this positive link with the economy, and hence to employment, for the whole of the wider city region. That is why we are doing everything possible to ensure that the extension of Tram Line 1 from Haymarket to Granton Square goes ahead within the first phase of development; providing that funding and works costs permit. We are asking for further work to be carried out to show how we can complete Tram Line 1 using further contributions from developers and business, including Waterfront Edinburgh, and also make potential savings on the overall route."
The £45 million will come from a range of sources related to tram development income and receipts, and not from general funds or Council Tax. This is to include land contributions by the Council, anticipated development gains accruing to the Council on Council owned sites and third party developer contributions.
Michael Howell, Chief Executive of tie, said: ““We welcome the vote in favour of the £45 million funding contribution from the City of Edinburgh Council. Subject to political approval, tie is committed, in partnership with TEL, to deliver the project
efficiently, on budget and to schedule, for operation in 2010.”
The Leader of the Council, Cllr Donald Anderson added: ““Edinburgh is the best city in Britain and we aim to make it the most successful and sustainable city in Northern Europe by 2020. Trams will make a huge contribution to improving transport and the economy of the city. They will bring in additional investment and jobs and will secure Edinburgh’s growing reputation as the place to live, work and visit.”
The plan for 143 is for the upper deck structure to be detached from the lower deck by the end of this month so that work can commence on rebuilding the upper saloon and roof. The work on this will be contracted out to Gillett’s of Kirkham – who are an experienced joinery company.
Following the removal of the upper deck, the lower deck will be separated from its trucks and motors – these will in turn be sent to Blackpool Transport for restoration. They are planned to be returned to the body of the tram only when the restoration of the bodywork has been completed, likely to be during 2007.
Meanwhile, Blackpool Borough Council (the current owners) have drafted an agreement for the transfer of ownership of 259 to the LTT. It is hoped that the tram will move from Rigby Road to the LTT’s depot before 2006 is out.
Stephen Izatt, Chief Executive of Waterfront Edinburgh – the body in charge of redeveloping Granton said: “We are going to create an awful lot of traffic so it is imperative that we can engage with public transport. We have to have a tram link from Granton to the city centre. [Not having it] could mean the density of residential buildings is reconsidered, as we are under an obligation to mitigate the effect on surrounding roads. We haven't yet established the Granton Waterfront as a major employment area. That will prove even harder without trams."
Waterfront Edinburgh are engaged in redeveloping a 120 acre site in Granton which could eventually see 35,000 people living in the area in the next 10 years. It is expected that the redevelopment will cost £1 billion. It is feared that not having the tram serving the area would mean the value of residential properties on the development falling, even before they have been built.
It is still hoped to build a spur from Haymarket to Granton Square in Phase One of the tram project but this is not currently possible due to rising costs.
Meanwhile the Principal of Telford College – one of the city’s largest – Roy Harris has said he is astonished at the decision not to build the Granton spur. In a letter to all councillors he says: “I write to express our disappointment and indeed astonishment at the proposals not to proceed with the Tram Line One link proposal. Should the development of the tram not go ahead, then the development of the Waterfront will not only stall but need to change in character. Also, moves to encourage our staff and students to switch to public transport will also be affected with a resultant impact on the local environment."
Dr Dermot Gorman – a consultant in public health medicine – has also called on a rethink in axing parts of the tram route, he wants the tram route from Haymarket to Granton to stop on Crewe Road South – directly outside the Western General Hospital. He said: “Linking the hospital to the most direct form of transport infrastructure should be a priority. Without that, there will be a minimal impact on the number of people who bring cars to the hospital.”
Disappointment has also been expressed by Labour councillor, Billy Fitzpatrick: “I have fought for a tram for North Edinburgh and I'm not prepared to sell a community down the river. I'm sorry if trams get in the way of the odd badger [on the Roseburn Wildlife corridor] but for once, we need to do something because the city needs it."
Cllr Jason Stacey, leader of the opposition said: “We strongly believe a tram would be disastrous for the people of Ealing and will make congestion worse not better in the borough. At the first council meeting after the local elections in May, the Conservatives will be proposing a motion to end the current joint promoter relationship and for the council to adopt a position of opposing the tram."
Despite these claims council leader, Cllr Leo Thomson, said the council would carry on regardless: “Jason Stacey is showing just how naive he and the Tories are when it comes to the future of the borough. The Tory option is to do nothing and let traffic congestion multiply throughout the borough to the point of gridlock. But doing nothing is simply not an option. It is this administration's duty to find a sensible long-term solution as we cannot expect our residents to put up with growing congestion."
The latest figures show that not only has crime dropped 22.6% since 2004 but that since statistics were first collated in 2002, crime has dropped by a massive 41%.
Phil Bateman, the Corporate Affairs Director of Travel Midland Metro said: “Our success in driving crime down in this way is due to a number of combinations. There is a very positive partnership under our Operations Safer Travel initiative with British Transport Police and West Midlands Police. There is the hard work and diligence of our staff and customers who constantly provide intelligence for the police to act upon, and the innovations that have been introduced to protect staff and customers like CCTV."
The General Manager of Travel Midland Metro, Fred Roberts, commented: “We are going to look to depress crime even further across the system over the next 12 months. Maintaining a low crime transport system is difficult and challenging but it has huge rewards in providing comfortable travel arrangements for staff and customers alike. We hope that these statistics will encourage even more people to confidently ride Metro over this year."
The 5th Anniversary events are being organised by the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Tramway Society and will also feature guest speaker Geoff Price, an author. Mr Price sold his collection of 15,000 tramway photographs and other related memorabilia to the society.
The 98 year old is Gladys Dyster who worked on the route during World War Two after she had moved to the North Wales coast from Essex due to her husband’s job. She said: “It was very busy on the trams. You would get crushed if you didn't shout out 'I'm here!'"
Mrs Dyster will be joined at the dinner by ex conductor John Evans from Colwyn Bay and retired river Jim Trueman from Llysfaen. The dinner itself will take place at the Aberhod Restaurant in Rhos on Sea on Saturday 25 March.
In other news from the society, spokesman Bob Barnsdale has said that they are employing a professional coach builder and engineer to help with the restoration of an ex Bournemouth car. This is presumably 7 which is currently under restoration in Wales with no public access.
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As mentioned in the main news below on the Isle of Man the Manx Electric Railway is not operating at all this winter because of demolition work of the Summerland Complex in Douglas. However, there is engineering work taking place at other end of the line. In this view we see work worn 7 being used by the contractors of the work, RMS Locotec, to help with the work. The photo was taken on 21 January 2006. Photo: David Lloyd-Jones |
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EDINBURGH AXE PART OF TRAM ROUTE TO SAVE COSTS Sunday 22 January 2006 It has been confirmed that part of the proposed tram routes in the city of Edinburgh have had to axed, due to the rapidly increasing construction costs. The recommendation was made to Councillors this week and means that a large slice of Line One will not now be built in the new “Phase One” of the project. A council source told The Scotsman: “The sums just don't add up. We simply cannot afford to build both the tram lines with the money available at the moment. It means that most of the Tram Line One route can't go ahead at first, and neither can the line from Newbridge to the airport." At least £200 million is expected to be saved by only building a line from Ocean Terminal, Leith to Edinburgh Airport as “Phase One” with a second phase, from Princess Street to the north of the City and Granton, being shelved to a later date unless it can be delivered under budget – something which promoters have insisted is still possible. Phase Three would link Granton and Leith and Phase Four would be the Newbridge to Airport spur. The recommendation to change which parts to construct first means that the original Line One and Line Two plans are no longer valid – although remain on the tie website here and here. After the news story leaked another council source said: “It's taken some time, but council leader Donald Anderson and transport leader Andrew Burns knew there had to be a reappraisal of the entire plan. Although there's still a misguided belief that both lines will eventually be completed, the council has sensibly pushed ahead with the stretch of line that will prove profitable." Another senior Council source added: “Parts of the route were completely wrong - to run a tram along the seafront, where there is nothing but water on one side of the road, is plain daft. The trams should be serving large residential areas, or key commuter roads. That's why the section between Leith and Haymarket will work, but a tram line from Ingliston to Newbridge won't. The trams are proving to be very unpopular on the streets of Edinburgh, and many Labour councillors are now opposed to the scheme. This is the beginning of the end for trams." Despite the decision to axe large parts of the network MSPs still have to debate Lines One and Two in a couple of months time before deciding whether to release the funding for the construction of the scaled down plans. Council leader, Cllr Donald Anderson, said: “Edinburgh is growing and we need to develop a world-class transport system to accommodate this growth. Our goal is to be the most sustainable, successful city in Western Europe by 2020, and investment in transport is key to achieving this." His comments were echoed by Transport leader, Cllr Andrew Burns: “We will complete all the lines in a phased manner. The proposed first phase will ensure that the main thoroughfares in key employment and development areas between the west of the city and Leith are served before moving on to linking areas of social exclusion and existing business with many of the main community and leisure destinations." The decision has been met by outrage in many areas. Friends of the Earth Chief Executive, Duncan McLaren, said: “We are angry that the Scottish Executive can always find enough money to bulldoze through every destructive road-building project it wants. Yet, when sensible and sustainable transport alternatives are proposed, never enough money is forthcoming to deliver them." Phil Wheeler, Transport Spokesman for the Liberal Democrats, added: “Edinburgh has talked for too long about a real effective mass transit link from the western suburbs to the city centre and on to Leith. The council must act now or be condemned for inaction by future generations." However, not everyone is upset by the news, some wanting the decision to go even further. Cllr Steve Cardownie, SNP Councillor, said: “Trams were removed from Edinburgh for a very good reason and the plans should be scrapped now." It is now expected that the plans for Phase One will cost £484 million with an additional £75 million required for the possible spur to Granton. This is compared to the likely cost of £714 million for the construction of Lines One and Two.
NO WINTER SERVICE ON MANX ELECTRIC RAILWAY
Manx Electric Railway will make its final trip of the season on 2nd October. The closure of the 3ft gauge MER for the winter is to allow the demolition of Summerland complex next to the MER's main depot at Derby Castle to be completed, and subject to Tynwald approval, £1.5 million will be spent on a track renewal programme.
The MER closes on 2 October to allow specialist demolition contractors access to the site at Douglas next day. The work will be carried out by off-Island specialist DSM and local firm JCK, and the first task will be the removal of the 550 volt MER overhead cables. That will allow safe access to the site, and the relocation of the MEA substation, embedded in the Summerland building.
Isle of Man Tourism Minister David Cretney, whose department owns the complex, is very pleased the work is getting underway. "Once that is done a rather unattractive landmark will soon start to disappear." He said the demolition of the building, on the north end of Douglas promenade, had been organised to minimise disruption to MER passengers.
In July, the Manx Parliament Tynwald voted £2m for the demolition for a building which MHKs said had become dangerous as well an eyesore. A portion of the complex will not be demolished pending further checks into cliff stability.
Summerland is on the site of a former Derby Castle villa which was converted into a theatre and ballroom in 1877. Douglas Corporation bought it in 1964 developing the site as the Summerland Complex which opened in 1971. Two years later on the 2nd august 1973 fire swept through the complex killing more than 50 people. The Summerland disaster led to a major change in fire regulations on the Isle of Man and in the UK. The building was rebuilt in 1976 and reopened in 1978. The Summerland site's future use has yet to be decided.
This is the first time in many years that the Manx Electric Railway has not operated a winter service, although the high winds in January 2005 that battered the island forced the MER to close for a couple of months due to extensive damage to wires and traction poles. The Isle of Man Steam Railway will continue to operate until 30th October.
IOM RAILWAY BOSS THROWS IN THE TOWEL
After six and half years, Mr David Howard, Director of Isle of Man Passenger Transport, has unexpectedly quit. He will be retiring from his post in February next year. His role has involved the development of the Island’s public rail & bus transport as well as managing its day-to-day operations. He handed in his letter of resignation on Tuesday 29th November and it was accepted "with regret" by Island's Tourism and Leisure Minister, David Cretney.
Mr. Howard, 61, who currently lives in Ramsey on the Island, took over the post of the Director of Isle of Man Passenger Transport in 1999 from Mr. Robert Smith. During his period as head of the island's public transport, Mr. Howard has turned, what was described as working bus museum into a modern slick operation, and smoothly guided the railways and tramways through a rather bumpy ride with the £5 million major track up grade in recent years.
David previously worked for bus operators in Berkshire, Northampton and Eastbourne, and as operations manager on the Tyne & Wear Metro. On the Isle of Man he was in charge of an 85 strong bus fleet, and over 60 miles of some of the UK finest narrow gauge systems in the UK - the 3ft gauge Isle of Man Railway, the 3ft gauge Manx Electric Railway and the 3ft-6in gauge Snaefell Mountain Railway. David was well-know as being a very much hands on boss, ready to get behind the wheel of a bus himself to prevent a service being cancelled or could often be found at the controls of Manx Electric Railway tramcar on a winter Sunday service.
Despite recent criticisms of the numerous and large safety and CCTV warning signs which have been introduce around the Manx rail networks to comply with various health and safety and insurance requirements, which has angered many railway enthusiasts, Mr. Howard has done a number of things to improve the railways. The most noticeable and welcoming was the re-painting of the all the Isle of Man Railway locomotives into one uniform corporate livery - the smart old Isle of Man Railway's 1950s livery of Indian red for the engines and blood and custard for the carriages. However, the painting of MER winter saloon tramcar No.22 into the corporate bus livery was not as well received, and was repainted into a 'proper' MER livery the following season.
Mr. Howard programme of up grading the stations and installation of automated crossings combined with the massive track renewal and the rolling maintenance programme for the steam locomotives have safeguarded the future of the Isle of Man Railway for a least another 40 years, again despite criticism. David has headed up the island bus and railway services for the last 6 years, being directly accountable to the Minister Hon David Cretney MHK, said: “Under Mr Howard’s day-to-day management there have been major improvements in the range of services offered by IoM Transport, and I would like to thank him for his work and wish him all the best for the future.” Mr Cretney is thanking Mr Howard for his contribution to what the Minister calls "an important area of his department's work". At the time of writing, the job vacancy has not been advertised for a replacement following Mr. Howard surprise departure.
WORK WORN MER 7 ON PW DUTIES AT DHOON SIDINGS
While the Isle of Man's 3ft gauge MER is shut for the winter for the
first time in years while the Summerland complex right next door to
MER's main depot at Derby Castle in Douglas is demolished (see above), down the other end of the line at the Dhoon Sidings, work worn MER tramcar No. 7 is used by RMS Locotec, who have the track relaying contract this winter.
RMS Locotec is also using a 3ft gauge Rushton & Hornsby from the Irchester Narrow Gauge collection to help with the work which runs from the Dhoon sidings northwards to the Glen Moan.
MER vestibuled tramcar No.7 was a one of batch of six (Nos. 4 to 9) built in 1894 by G.H Milnes for the opening of the extension to Laxey that year. Tramcars No.4 and No.8 were lost in the fire at Laxey car shed in 1930, meanwhile, No.9 is better known as the 'illuminated tram'.
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The man who was in charge of Isle of Man Transport until he handed in his resignation at the end of 2005 (see story above) - David Howard is seen here on the Isle of Man Railway talking to a driver. Photo: David Lloyd-Jones |
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CALL FOR EDINBURGH TRAM DECISION TO BE MADE Sunday 22 January 2006 Margaret Smith, Edinburgh MSP, has called on her Liberal Democrat colleague and Transport Minister, Tavish Scott, to make a public announcement on the grant for the Edinburgh tram project – and ensure it is linked to inflation. Scottish ministers have already promised £375 million towards the scheme, but this was back in 2003, and it is hoped that it could rise to £490 million, if inflation is taken into consideration. Ms Smith’s comments come in the same week as the decision has been taken to abort plans for large parts of the scheme (see separate story). If the funding is not put to inflation the small part of line which is being planned now would not even be able to be built. Talking about the decision to axe parts of the plan, Ms Smith said: “This is very disappointing news. Although a lot of people expected the link between the airport and Newbridge to be lost, many of my constituents really want trams to serve the Western General Hospital. What we need now is a clear message from the Transport Minister that the Executive will link its grant to inflation."
Cllr Roger Jones, Chairman of the GMPTA said: “I'm delighted that Metroshuttle and Metrolink are as popular with the Dutch as they are with people in Greater Manchester. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to get around Manchester city centre without the need for a car. Metrolink has been a massive success for Manchester and it's important that people coming into the city centre are able to benefit from it.”
Ingmar Vriesema, transport correspondent for Wegener Daily Newspapers said: “Manchester came top of our poll with 32 per cent of the vote. Public transport is very expensive in the Netherlands and many people are unwilling to give up their cars. However, we often have long traffic jams during the morning rush hour. Manchester's Metroshuttle and tram initiatives prove that it is possible to provide some public transport for free and I think many people would like to see similar schemes introduced in the Netherlands."
Potential contractors from Spain, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic attended the meeting and were joined by representatives from UK, French and Japanese companies.
Ian Kendall, tram project director of tie, said: “It is a key priority for tie to give Edinburgh the best tram system possible. It was a pleasure seeing the interest globally in providing world class tram vehicles, for a world class city.”
tie have shaped the tender process to ensure it delivers the best quality vehicles in terms of comfort, safety and aesthetics for the best price.
This summit took place before the decision was taken to axe large parts of the proposal (see separate story).
Glasgow 1297 now only requires some decorative paintwork and this will not prevent the car from being commissioned into service for the 2006 season. Meanwhile Leeds 180 is to be released back into traffic following its work and it is to be monitored whilst the replacement leaf springs are bedding in. Fellow Leeds car 602 has now had work commence with the removal of old sealant and after its replacement work will start of repainting.
The truck of Chesterfield 7 has been reassembled and the pendulum gear refitted. The traction motors have now been overhauled and are expected to be returned soon – this will enable the trucks to be reconstructed.
Finally, work on Johannesburg 60 has been delayed as the contractor who is producing the wheel centres have other commitments. It is still hoped to complete the work by early May.
The call has been made by Steve Cardownie – former Labour councillor now the only SNP councillor in the city – and Kenny McAskill – Lothian MSP. Mr McAskill said: “The council's judgment has been flawed on two major policies before. The next big issue is the trams, which have a huge cost, not just in terms of the capital but in terms of the revenue implications for years to come. Council taxpayers in Edinburgh are entitled to a vote on whether or not they want their hard-earned money spent on trams and to be paying for them for decades to come."
The pair of them claim that the Council have set a precedent in the recent past by having referendum on road tolls and the transfer of houses from the council in housing association ownership. Both of these votes ended in defeat for the Council.
Mr Cardownie added: “As there are elections coming up for both the council and the Scottish parliament, the current administration should not take decisions which burden a new council, which will not be Labour-run."
Donald Anderson said that there would be no referendum because the Council had already made its decision and the vote would cost around half a million pounds. He added: “Edinburgh is the best city in Britain. If this was Dublin the SNP would be supporting the tram plan and telling us we should have one here. But because it is Scotland and we do not support independence Kenny MacAskill feels that he has to run the city down. We are not going to have a referendum because the council has taken the decision and we hope to have Royal Assent in the spring for the bill which makes the tram possible."
In the letter Mr Scales said: “On the basis of advice that we have a strong case from leading public law QCs, we have lodged papers with the High Court seeking to overturn the decision to withdraw funding.”
He added that Merseytravel regret having to take the action: “But we strongly believe that we have been treated very unfairly and that what the Government has done is just not right or lawful. So we will fight this flawed decision in the interests of the people of Merseyside, so that we have a chance of saving this important project."
The case will be held in the High Court at the end of this month, on 30 January.
A spokeswoman from tie justified using public money for this purpose: “It is vital that we gauge what has worked well, and what hasn't, in other cities. The investment we have made has allowed our technical team to gather valuable knowledge. It has also allowed community groups and some business groups in Edinburgh to see for themselves the benefits of trams as they help to shape the plans."
Trips have been taken to systems such as Luas in Dublin, Nottingham, Croydon, Lyon in France and Melbourne, Australia. They have taken note of mistakes made in the planning and construction processes in cities to try to avoid making the same errors.
Cllr Andrew Burns, transport leader of the council, said: “The fact-finding trips have been an excellent way of seeing best practice in operation, and seeing for ourselves the benefits of building a world-class transport system fit for a modern city economy. It's also a cost-effective way of discovering what doesn't work and building on the experiences of other cities."
However, Tina Woolnough, chairwoman of the Edinburgh Tram Information Campaign was not impressed with these arguments: “There are schemes in England they could have visited at a cheaper cost, and they could see how tram projects are delivered in Britain - often unsuccessfully. When we are faced with a city that doesn't have level pavements, I think there are far better ways to spend this kind of money. Somebody has lost sight of the public pound, and treats our money with a corporate attitude."
Cllr Burns said: “In terms of the passengers, they will not all come out of buses - that is not what we want to do. Some of them will be lured out of cars. The trams might also generate new trips that would not have been taken otherwise by public transport."
However, the answers given by the Councillor were not met with approval by either Mr Williamson or Tina Woolnough (chairwoman of the ETF). Ms Woolnough said: “Some important worries about the future of the buses were heard. However, we didn't get any straight answers on the tram funding issue."
Mr Williamson added: “The only people who have benefited from the tram system in Nottingham are the tram owners. The public lost important bus routes to make the trams profitable. Tram passengers will come off Lothian Buses, there won't be any new passengers."
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A view of Blackpool OMO 8 in the workshops at Blackpool Transport's Rigby Road depot following its repaint. The tram has now been moved to the LTT Depot with restoration continuing. Photo: Philip Higgs |
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BLACKPOOL UPGRADE PLAN BACKED REGIONALLY Sunday 8 January 2006 The North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) have given the proposed upgrade of the Blackpool the green light after making it one of their 25 priority schemes to qualify for possible funding from a £1.35 billion pot of cash made available by the government for major transport schemes in the North West over the next 10 years. Lord Peter Smith of Leigh, Chairman of the NWRA Executive Board said: “The NWRA Executive Board today reached broad consensus on what should be the region's top transport priorities. We had to make tough choices, but we would rather do this ourselves in the region rather than have it done to us by Whitehall. Our recommendation is realistic, maximises spend of the money available to us, and avoids the trap of over-commitment which would run the danger of government being left unsure what our real priorities actually are." The decision by the NWRA to put the scheme on its list has been met with delight in Blackpool as there were fears that the whole future of the tramway would be in doubt in the next few years due to the condition of the infrastructure and trams as well as the 2020 deadline for accessibility. However, the backing regionally does not necessarily mean that the tramway will get funding – that all rests with the “we’re not anti tram, honest” Department for Transport. Leader of Blackpool Borough Council, Cllr Roy Fisher said: “We will have to find £11m over 10 years, but that has already been planned into our budgets for the future, and we know the money is available from Lancashire County Council as well. Ours was one of around 100 schemes for consideration by the regional assembly so to get your project in, it had to be a top notch bid. Getting this backing is just one step, but it's a very significant step on the way. We're also hopeful we will be one of the first to get funding because our scheme is all ready to go, whereas some of the other projects have not even got past the planning stage." In order to try and ensure that the DfT do give the go-ahead to the £88 million scheme local MPs Gordon Marsden (Blackpool South) and Joan Humble (Blackpool North and Fleetwood) have been lobbying in London. Mr Marsden said: “We're expecting to get the Government decision by Easter and we all need to use the time between now and then to make the various points. The Government said it wanted the priorities in different areas to be agreed by the regional decision-makers. This backing doesn't guarantee anything, but it gives a very strong steer." Ms Humble added: “Myself and Gordon will continue to work together in lobbying the Department of Transport to back Blackpool and support our tram system. It will be important to ensure the Government understands our tramway is more than simply a tourist attraction. It is also vital in transporting Fylde coast residents to and from work." It is expected that the DfT will be making a decision on funding for the tramway in March this year. Cllr Fisher concluded: “There is still a long way to go, however, as this decision is still just one stage of the process and still needs to be approved by the Department for Transport, so it cannot be taken for granted. Much hard work and argument lies ahead. None of Blackpool's plans to revive its fortunes are possible without the welcome support of its residents. This latest tramway success is a fantastic step in the right direction, but it's not a done deal. So we urge everyone to get behind the 'Blackpool 2006' campaign, and get behind the tram bid. For example, write to the Department for Transport, explaining how critical the tramway is to Blackpool's transformation into a world-class resort, and how you don't want to see 100 years of public transport and heritage close." * BBC News Online also ran this story claiming that the Blackpool Tramway “became truly engrained in the national consciousness during an appearance in the soap Coronation Street in 1989. It was under the wheels of one of Blackpool's trams where Rita Fairclough's wicked lover, Alan Bradley, met his fate.”
Totally Transport was run for the first time in 2005 and the LTT (as organisers of the event) are looking to build on the success. Over 500 vehicles and 15,000 visitors flocked to the event on Blackpool’s South Promenade last June and it is hoped the addition of visiting classic trams will add further to the interest the event seems to provide.
If the deal does go ahead the cost of transporting 762 to Blackpool will be funded by a series of special tram tours, aimed at both the normal public and tram enthusiasts, before the tram takes centre stage at the event to be held on Sunday 25 June. The tram would most likely stay in the resort for 3-4 weeks to allow for commissioning, driver training and the aforementioned tours.
If this does go ahead the organisers of the event should be congratulated for adding more interest to tram events in the UK! Full details on this story can be found at Blackpool Trams.info.
Customer Services Manager at Blackpool Transport, Bryan Lindop insisted that this delay did not mean the end of the project but admitted he was disappointed with the delay. He said: “We have had to withdraw the bid because of technical difficulties, but we will be resubmitting it as soon as we have ironed out some problems highlighted by the Lottery board. The Lottery has expressed some concerns with the way the funding is being requested. Because we are a commercial organisation and we will be carrying out the renovation work ourself they have to be sure there is no conflict of interest. "They have to be very careful about who they give funding to, we understand that. We are confident that it is a case of not yet rather than a no to our bid."
The next step is for a meeting between Lottery Officials and Blackpool Transport bosses to discuss the problems of the bids and it is then hoped that a revised bid would be able to be submitted within the following few months.
The meeting was due to take place on Thursday (4 January) and speakers from tie, Transdev (who will be operators of the system) and SDS, the design consultancy firm will all be present to try and cool any fears the cyclists may have.
The scheme is currently progressing well through the Scottish Parliament with both Line One and Line Two being discussed in separate Parliamentary Committees.
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