208 has become the first tram to be fitted with the chosen CCTV system supplied by experts in the field, “Vision Techniques”. This follows the successful trial in recent months of various on-tram CCTV systems. 208 now has 8 cameras, 6 within the tram and 2 forward-facing cameras which face outwards from each end of the tram.

The system constantly records data, which will be kept for approximately 7 days – important footage will be kept for longer. Tram drivers will have an additional button on their driving consoles which when pressed will enable them to mark the previous 15 minutes and the next 15 minutes. This means that during an incident one press of a button will make the footage easy to find back at depot.

The other major upgrade will see all tram stops fitted with a second Passenger Information Display (PID). This is to be put onto the reverse of the current one so regardless of where you are standing on the platform you can see the next tram information. This work is to be undertaken in the next few weeks and comes following passenger feedback.

Colin Lea, Marketing Manager said: “These are important upgrades to the system. On-tram CCTV, combined with the excellent on-stop system we already have, will give us a comprehensive evidence gathering ability. The doubling of passenger information boards on stops will also benefit our loyal passengers, meaning that the whole tramstop is better informed.”
Source: Nottingham Express Transit

ANXIOUS WAIT FOR LEEDS
Sunday 17 July 2005
It will be an absolutely massive and nervous week for promoters of the Leeds Supertram with time running out to get it approved. Parliament “breaks-up” for the summer on Thursday (21 July) and if no decision is forthcoming by then the project is likely to collapse as compulsory purchase orders will not be valid when Parliament is back in October.

Metro Chairman Councillor Karram Hussain said: “For the Supertram Team to be able to buy the land required for the scheme before Compulsory Purchase Powers run out in March 2006, a decision on funding for the scheme is needed from Ministers before the House of Commons begins its summer break. The team must start the acquisition process by the beginning of September at the very latest and Parliament doesn’t reconvene until 10 October, so we need the go-ahead and we need it now.”

Councillor Andrew Carter, soon to be leader of the City council added: “If the powers to purchase the 120 or so packages of land required for Supertram do expire, the scheme will be cancelled by default and more than a decade of work will have been wasted. Leeds would then face going through a new and lengthy Public Works Inquiry and a renewed procurement process, which would set the long overdue scheme back further and cost millions more. As Tom Morton, President of Leeds Chamber of Commerce, said recently in the Yorkshire Post, the Supertram project would be a major boost to the development of our city, as well as that of the wider region, and its future.”

Of course Leeds is not the only place anxious to hear something by the end of the week with Blackpool, Liverpool, Nottingham and Portsmouth desperate to know what is going on.
Source: Leeds Supertram

BLACKPOOL LTP GOES TO WHITEHALL
Sunday 17 July 2005
The latest Local Transport Plan (LTP) from Blackpool has been sent down to Whitehall for final approval. The plan outlines planned investment in not only trams but also buses, trams, parking, cycle ways and roads over the next five years.

Councillor Fred Jackson, portfolio holder for the urban environment, said: “Every authority has an LTP already but the Government is going to be far more strict with this new one. If we don't deliver, the Government will take money away from us, but if we do meet the targets then we could receive extra money, so we must deliver."

At the moment Blackpool has a funding guideline of £2.8million each year but if the Council meets Government targets on cutting congestion, road safety, better air quality, accessibility and maintenance this could be raised.

Proposals within the LTP include the tramway upgrade plan, a new transport interchange at Blackpool North Railway Station and Promenade walking routes. It also looks at the need to reduce car use but also has to be careful with its position as a tourist centre as many visitors use their cars to get to the resort.

The plan will be reviewed by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and if approved would be put into place from April 2006.
Source: Blackpool Today

CROYDON TRAMLINK NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 17 July 2005
Notices have gone up round the Tramlink system giving details of the Addington Village to New Addington line closure this summer. It is confirmed as being for 6 weeks from Saturday 23 July until Sunday 4 September (covering the school holidays). Whilst the work takes place all trams will terminate at Addington Village with passengers expected to complete their journeys by schedule bus service, as there is no replacement bus service planned.

There are a number of Temporary Speed Restrictions (TSRs) still in place on the New Addington line, this despite the recent reconstruction work. TSRs recently noted are westbound at Gravel Hill (due to uneven track), west and eastbound between the Shirley Hill/Heathfield crossing and Coombe Lane (excessive rocking), westbound at Morden Road (section of wet bed and uneven track) and on the Beckenham line between Arena and Harrington Road (heat distortion). When a tamper is on the system during the New Addington line closure it is expected to be used to tamp the whole New Addington line.

A stabbing incident occurred on board 2543 just before 1600 on 11 July near to the Therapia Lane stop. The stabbing allegedly involved a husband and wife with the man reportedly arrested for stabbing her on the face and the arms. The woman was taken away to hospital by ambulance just after 1630. The majority of the 80-100 passengers on board the tram were removed and walked back to the Therapia Lane sop with the exception of any possible witnesses. 2543 was then removed from service and reversed back into the depot.

In other news the PIDs at Harrington Road and Merton Park have finally been fixed whilst contractors from Amey have been seen inspecting and surveying the track under the Carshalton Road bridge just west of Mitcham Junction. This is to work out the best way to resolve drainage in the area.

For more on these stories and more news from Croydon visit the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink website.
Source: Unofficial Croydon Tramlink

DECISION MUST COME NOW ON SOUTH HANTS LRT
Sunday 10 July 2005
Transport bosses in Portsmouth have said a decision must be made within the next two weeks on the South Hampshire Light Rapid Transit scheme or risk transport chaos for years to come.

The Department for Transport have claimed that they will make a decision “soon” on the £200 million tram link which should link Gosport, Portsmouth and Fareham. It is hoped that this decision will come before Parliament breaks up for the summer on 21 July.

The current planning permission in place for construction of the line will run out next year and the fear is that if funding is not forthcoming from the DfT this date will not be able to be met. An additional fear is that the two bidding consortia to build and operate the system may drop out if no money is put on the table.

If it is a negative decision or no decision and the deadline of July 2006 is not met it will take at least a year to draw up a new application.
Source: Portsmouth Today

OLYMPICS WILL NOT HARM METROLINK
Sunday 10 July 2005
Transport leaders have reassured the people of Manchester that despite the award of the 2012 Olympic Games to London, the north western city will not see a cut in funding for public transport projects such as Metrolink.

Councillor Roger Jones, chairman of the GMPTA said: “I don't think there is any threat to the money we have already been promised but we do need more money. I don't see it as a direct threat and I think it's a great thing for the country. They would never have won it without the previous Manchester bids and the success of the Games here though."

The fears had been expressed as £17 billion needs to spent on transport improvement projects in the capital in the next seven years including extensions on the DLR and the Channel Tunnel Railway Link.

A spokeswoman from the Department for Transport said: “The £520m we have allocated for Manchester is there and is completely separate to the transport improvements for the Olympics. One of the strengths of the Olympic bid was that many of the transport projects were taking place regardless of whether London won. The other improvements specifically for the Olympics are coming from extra funding sources like the Lottery. Other areas of the UK won't be ignored because London is getting this investment, only last week we were in Manchester announcing £58m towards improvement work for Metrolink."
Source: Manchester Online

BALLOON 713’S OVERHAUL CONTINUES
Sunday 10 July 2005
the exterior panelling and glazing has been fitted with only the No. 1 cab end remaining to be completed. 713 retains the basic traditional shape but the Health and Safety Executive have got in on the act and made “recommendations” which has meant the front skirt panels have had to be altered. As well as this change the upper deck front end arrangement has been changed and new style headlights have also been fitted.

Centenary 645’s mid-life refurbishment has also been progressing of late and is also suffering from the HSE’s recommendations. The front end framework has been modified with curved corner pillars and will also feature bonded glazed windscreens. 645 has also been reunited with its own trucks after their own overhaul.

The Fylde Tramway News also report that Blackpool Transport are considering suspending all further tram refurbishments. This is because of the Rail Vehicle Accessibility regulations which are due to come into effect in 2020 which could see all of Blackpool’s current tram fleet being banned from operating in normal service. At the moment Blackpool Transport depreciate major refurbishments over a 20 year period and as of course there are only 15 years remaining until 2020 there is a reluctance to start any further major work.

As the situation of stored trams and those available for service seems to be changing regularly during 2005, you are advised to check out BRITISH TRAMS ONLINE’s fleet list here which is updated regularly with the latest situation.

* Don’t forget the only way to receive FULL monthly news on the Blackpool Tramway is by becoming a member of the Fylde Tramway Society? The Fylde Tramway News has just been redesigned with a much more modern look and is just one of the many benefits of being a member. For further details see here and here.
Source: Fylde Tramway News

BLACKPOOL GAZETTE WESTERN TRAIN CAMPAIGN CONTINUES
Sunday 10 July 2005
The major local newspaper in Blackpool, The Gazette have been conducting a major campaign to get public support for the major restoration to operational status of the Western Train 733+734

At next weekend’s Fleetwood Tram Sunday Festival they aim to get tram enthusiasts from across the country to sign a petition encouraging Lottery bosses that funding is wanted for the restoration of the Illuminated Western Train.

Blackpool Transport have already submitted a 100 page bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund asking for £290,000 towards its restoration and the judging panel have hinted that there will be approval as long as there is considerable public support. This is where the Gazette’s appeal comes in.

Organiser of Tram Sunday, Ian Johnstone said: “I'm sure every visitor will support the move to restore the Western Train, which is a fabulous piece of transport history. The Frigate and Fisherman's Friend 'Trawler' illuminated tramcars will be there on the day."

Tram Sunday celebrates its 21st Birthday at this year’s event, which takes place next Sunday, 17 July. A record crowd of more than 10,000 is expected to see trams and other vintage vehicles on the streets of the town. For full details of the event see the official website here.
Source: Blackpool Today

CROYDON TRAMLINK NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 10 July 2005
Following the terror attacks on London on Thursday (7 July) there was inevitable disruption countrywide as security alerts became regular, Croydon was not left out in this. East Croydon railway station had to be closed for a while when a suspect package was discovered and this disrupted Tramlink services for a time. At one stage services were only running as follows:

Line 1: Reeves Corner to Wimbledon and Sandilands to Elmers End
Line 2: Sandilands to Beckenham Junction
Line 3: Sandilands to New Addington

Passengers were required to walk through central Croydon between Reeves Corner and Sandilands during this disruption. By the early evening of Thursday all trams were running as normally.

The construction of a new footpath has commenced between Ampere Way and Wandle Park, alongside the track. Work has started at Ampere Way where the path runs alongside the eastbound track as far as the Purley Way bridge and then it crosses the track to run along the westbound track and then it joins up with the existing path at Waddon Marsh.

Finally, for this update all tramway signals east of East Croydon have now had LED heads fitted, with just a few now remaining to be done to the west of East Croydon. So far none of the joint traffic/tramway signals have been dealt with.

For more on these stories and more news from Croydon visit the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink website.
Source: Unofficial Croydon Tramlink