TRAMS BACK TO STARR GATE
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 25th May 2008
The work being undertaken on the loop at Starr Gate which saw trams terminate at Harrowside has been completed a week ahead of schedule and as such trams are now running the full length of the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway again.
Source: Alan Robson
METRO 10 RETURNS TO BIRMINGHAM
Midland Metro – Sunday 25th May 2008
Midland Metro tram number 10 has returned to the Wednesbury depot following its accident repairs at Crewe. As reported last week the tram is in the new Network West Midlands Magenta and Silver livery but remains several months away from a return to use with further work required. It is expected that another tram will have to be cannibalised for it to return to service. 10 is currently in the depot on the unpowered siding.
Source: Michael Averill & Graham Sidwell (Editor, Tramfare)
UPDATE ON LUT 159 RESTORATION…AND SOME EXTRAS!
Crich Tramway Village – Sunday 25th May 2008
Work is continuing on the restoration of London United Tramways 159 at Crich with two bogies and two motors recently retrieved from the Clay Cross store. The two bogies were ex Blackpool plate frame type (the same as under Rack 2)but the frames are corroded away in places. The last of the side frames has now arrived and a quote received for the machining of them. For two very special photos of rarely seen trams click on the link below…
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PLANS FOR FURTHER METRO EXTENSIONS?
Midland Metro – Sunday 25th May 2008
Wolverhampton City Council leader Neville Patten has revealed that they are looking into the possibility of extending Midland Metro into the suburbs of the city. No funding is in place for any of the proposed extensions and the idea of adding Tettenhall, Penn and the A449 Stafford Road has only recently been discussed.
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ENGINEERING WORKS FOR NET THIS WEEKEND
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 25th May 2008
The engineering works near to the Royal Centre tramstop in Nottingham city centre, which were originally scheduled to take place over the Easter weekend, have been confirmed as taking place over this weekend (24th to 26th May). No trams will operate between The Forest and Station Street with buses running instead (read on for full details of what is happening).
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CAR DRIVES ONTO NOTTINGHAM TRAM VIADUCT
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 25th May 2008
Trams were disrupted on Tuesday 20th May after a car had taken a wrong turn onto the tram only viaduct leading to the Station Street terminus the previous night. The delays occurred as the vehicle was removed. NET have said they are looking at a number of measures to try and prevent a similar incident happening in the future including altering the signs.
Source: BBC News Online
HILLSBOROUGH TRAMGATES SIGNAGE ILLEGAL
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 25th May 2008
The Hillsborough tramgates have been withdrawn until the signage has been altered after Sheffield City Council lost their appeal to a ruling by the National Parking Appeals Service that warnings on Middlewood Road were not good enough. Until the signage has been improved the restrictions can not be enforced. The Council have said they will attempt to improve the signage as soon as possible to ensure the successful restrictions can return quickly.
Source: Sheffield Star
COUNCIL PLAN FOR FREE CAR PARKING NEAR TO TRAM WORKS
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 25th May 2008
Edinburgh City Council officials are now planning to provide free parking spaces on their own land near to the current tram construction works. The plan would see two sites off Leith Walk (including the former tram depot) and one off Regent Road used for free parking with signposts directing people to the shops in the area.
Source: The Scotsman
METROLINK PHASE 3A IS GO!
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 18th May 2008
The final approval for Phase 3a of Manchester Metrolink – which will see the current system extended to serve Oldham, Rochdale, Droylsden and Chortlon – has been given by the government. The lines will be funded jointly by the Department for Transport and the local authorities in Greater Manchester.
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TRAM CONTRACTS SIGNED IN EDINBURGH
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 18th May 2008
The Trams for Edinburgh moved a further step forward this week with the signing of contracts to enable the infrastructure to be constructed and also the construction of the trams. Both companies are from mainland Europe with the trams coming from CAF in Spain and the construction contracts going to Bilfinger Berger Siemens of Germany.
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TRAMS TERMINATE AT HARROWSIDE FOR A FORTNIGHT
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 18th May 2008
More engineering work on the Blackpool and Fleetwood Tramway will see trams from the north terminating at Harrowside for the next two weeks. The rarely used crossover at Harrowisde (lucky they haven’t removed that one yet then isn’t it?!?) will be in use during the work with passengers for Starr Gate advised to use the Line 1 bus instead. Work is being undertaken by Blackpool Council’s own gang on the loop at Starr Gate. (Follow the link below for a photo).
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METRO 07 IS NAMED AS 10 IS ON THE WAY BACK
Midland Metro – Sunday 18th May 2008
As reported last week Midland Metro tram 07 was named Billy Wright at the Wednesbury depot on Tuesday 13th May. The ceremony was attended by family members and former footballing colleagues and the first trip of the newly named tram was to Wolverhampton St Georges.
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UEFA CUP FINAL CAUSES METROLINK CHAOS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 18th May 2008
The Uefa Cup Final took place on Wednesday 14th May at the City of Manchester Stadium and with Glasgow Rangers having reached it a large number of fans descended on Manchester City Centre throughout the lead up. There were so many fans that at 1400 on the day a decision was taken to abandon all tram services in the city centre because of safety concerns. Up to this point they had been walking them through the area. Trams only ran between G-Mex and Altrincham, G-Mex and Eccles and Victoria and Bury. It had originally been planned that an enhanced service would be operated with coaches for the final being parked at Old Trafford and a tram every 6 minutes operating between Timperley and Piccadilly – including double trams.
Source: Manchester Metrolink & Manchester Evening News
FUNDING FOR BUSINESS REBATE TO COME FROM GOVERNMENT
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 18th May 2008
John Swinney, the Finance Director for the Scottish Government, has confirmed that 75% of the total cost of the proposed rates rebate for businesses affected by the construction works for the Trams for Edinburgh scheme will be met by the Scottish Government.
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BURY LINE ENGINEERING WORKS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 18th May 2008
Engineering works will affect Metrolink services to Bury on Sunday 25th May. Both Bury and Radcliffe stations will be closed throughout the day with a replacement bus service running every 12 minutes between Bury, Radcliffe and Whitefield. Trams will still run Whitefield to Piccadilly, Altrincham to Piccadilly and Eccles to Piccadilly.
Source: Manchester Metrolink
ENGINEERING WORKS FOR SUPERTRAM
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 18th May 2008
Engineering works to replace worn out points at Gleadless Townend are to take place over the Spring Bank Holiday. The work will take place on both Sunday 25th May and Monday 26th May with replacement bus services in action. On Sunday 25th two bus services will operate – one from Gleadless to Birley Lane and one from Gleadless to Herdings Park. Then on Monday 26th the Halfway service will run as normal with a replacement bus service between Gleadless and Herdings Park until midday. The works on Monday 26th are subject to change depending how quickly the work is completed.
Source: Stagecoach Supertram
FROM MELBOURNE TO MANCHESTER: EXPERT JOINS METROLINK TEAM
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 18th May 2008
Philip Purdy, an Australian who has just overseen the expansion of the tram system in Melbourne, has been appointed as Metrolink Director at the GMPTE. Mr Purdy will oversee improvements to the existing network as well as the expansion to Oldham and Rochdale, Droylsden, Chorlton and mediacity:uk.
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COULDSON-STREATHAM TRAMLINK LINE IN TWO YEARS?
Croydon Tramlink – Sunday 18th May 2008
Steve O’Connell – Croydon and Sutton’s new member of the Greater London Assembly – has said that the proposed extension to the Croydon Tramlink system between Coulsdon and Streatham could be given the go-ahead within two years.
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MIDLAND METRO NEWS ROUND-UP
Midland Metro – Sunday 18th May 2008
The latest two editions (March and April) of Tramlines magazine have finally been uploaded to the official Midland Metro website. Read on if you want to find out the latest news from Midland Metro including the latest performance figures.
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TRAM NINETEEN IS REFRESHED IN SHEFFIELD
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 11th May 2008
113 has become the nineteenth tram on the South Yorkshire Supertram network to be “refreshed”. It has once again been released in the revised Stagecoach blue livery with its place in the program now taken by 102.
Source: South Yorkshire Supertram
CENTENARY 647 BACK IN SERVICE IN ALL OVER YELLOW
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 11th May 2008
Blackpool Centenary 647 has rather disappointly returned to service in the all over yellow “livery”, the tram previously advertised Tiffany’s Hotel. 647 becomes the second Centenary to feature this yellow livery (642 being the other) and features Metro Coastlines stickers on one side only. Follow the link below for a photo.
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METRO 07 TO BE NAMED BILLY WRIGHT
Midland Metro – Sunday 11th May 2008
As previously reported on British Trams Online Midland Metro are to name one of their trams Billy Wright after the former Wolverhampton Wanderers and England footballer following a poll in a local newspaper. The ceremony to name the tram will take place on Tuesday 13th May and it has been confirmed the tram involved will be 07.
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MORE RELIEF FOR LEITH WALK TRADERS?
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 11th May 2008
Edinburgh City Council are investigating to see whether traders on Leith Walk can be given extra financial assistance during the tram construction works – this may include a 100% rebate on their business rates. This study comes after the SNP members of the council successfully passed a motion asking for more assistance for businesses.
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NEW FENCING FOR TRAMWAY IN CLEVELEYS
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 11th May 2008
Blackpool Borough Council are set to embark on a summer of fence replacement around the tramway around Rossall Road in Cleveleys. The fences separate the tramway tracks from pedestrians and traffic and it is hoped that the replacement fences will make it more difficult for people to put their lives at risk by trespassing on the tramway.
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MORE OUTINGS FOR MANCHESTER L53
Heaton Park Tramway – Sunday 11th May 2008
The recently restored horse tram Manchester L53 is to make more outings at the Heaton Park Tramway in the coming months. Full details of these can be found either by visiting the Diary of Events or by clicking below.
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TRAM-TRAINS FOR EDINBURGH?
Edinburgh – Sunday 11th May 2008
Edinburgh’s South Suburban rail line may have tram-trains introduced in a bid to revitalise the project which has had doubt thrown at it due to the huge costs involved. The plan would see the vehicles operating on both the railway which links Newcraighall and Haymarket and then on the tram lines about to be constructed in the city centre.
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METROLINK TRAM UPDATE
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 11th May 2008
A quick update from Manchester Metrolink as regards adverts. 1001 has now received additional advertising for System One Travelcards below the windows (follow the link below for a photo). Also, 2001 carries window adverts for Reed Recruitment Agency despite the fact it has not been spotted in service for a while.
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MIDLAND METRO TRAM UPDATE
Midland Metro – Sunday 11th May 2008
A brief update from Midland Metro and the current tram situation can be found just by clicking below.
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BID TO REVIVE AREAS AROUND TRAMWAY
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 11th May 2008
It has been revealed that plans are underway to ensure that the areas around the tramway in Edinburgh are revived to the same high standard as the tramway will be constructed. A £12.5 million scheme is now being considered by Edinburgh City Council which would see new public performance areas, trees, benches, signs, paths and pedestrian crossings upgraded along with the tramway.
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MORE DELAYS ON MIDLAND METRO
Midland Metro – Sunday 11th May 2008
More delays were experienced on Midland Metro on Wednesday (7th May) after a signalling failure at Wolverhampton St Georges. Trams were only operating between Birmingham Snow Hill and Priestfield during the disruption with passengers advised to change at Priestfield for onward journeys by Travel West Midlands buses.
Source: Midland Metro
METROLINK DELAYS AFTER COMPUTER FAILURE
Manchester Metrolink – Friday 2nd May 2008
Services on Manchester Metrolink were delayed on Wednesday 30th April after a computer server failed three times within two hours. The incident affected trams between 0900 and 1100 and was in the main Metrolink control room – it caused the signals to turn red (as they are setup to do in an event such as this). Trams ground to a halt several times during this period and many passengers claimed that they were not given any information as to what was happening.
Source: Manchester Evening News
MEETING WITH TIE FAILS TO APPEASE LEITH WALK TRADERS
Trams for Edinburgh – Friday 2nd May 2008
This week saw a meeting between bosses at tie and traders in Leith Walk (some who claim business is down by 90% because of the tram work) to try and explain what was going on and to hear the concerns. However, most of the traders who left the meeting are still not convinced and were made angry by the tie representatives leaving the meeting early.
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CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE NEWS ROUND-UP
Crich Tramway Village – Friday 2nd May 2008
Our regular news round-up from the trams of the Crich Tramway Village – home of the National Tramway Museum – is here with news from Cardiff 131, LUT 159, Gateshead 5, Blackpool Toastrack 166 and Leeds 399.
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WARRINGTON 2 RESTORATION UPDATE
Birkenhad Tramway – Friday 2nd May 2008