The Cross River Tram is planned to run between Euston and Waterloo with branches also serving Camden Town and King’s Cross in the north and Brixton and Peckham in the south. The idea of this consultation is to find out people’s views on the route the tram should take.

The scheme promotes economic regeneration and social inclusion in parts of the capital that have experienced decades of underinvestment in transport, creating jobs, sustaining businesses and improving access to work, education and healthcare facilities. It should also improve the transport network by moving people quickly, comfortably and efficiently across London and relieving other crowded lines such as the Northern Line.

Ken Livingstone commented: “The Cross River Tram will provide an important cross-river link that will support regeneration in Camden in the north and Peckham and Brixton in the south. It will improve access to jobs, education and homes whilst helping to cut congestion and pollution by offering another alternative to car use. The tram will carry more than 60 million passengers a year, relieving some of the high demand on the Northern and Victoria lines."

Transport for London are asking for views on route options on seven sections of the route:
* Euston to Camden
* Euston to King’s Cross
* Waterloo to Oval
* Oval to Brixton
* Brixton town centre
* Waterloo to Peckham
* Peckham town centre

Peter Hendy, London Transport Commissioner said: “As well as the economic investment and transport benefits, Cross River Tram will also result in an enhanced public realm along the routes it will serve. We will work with boroughs to provide major transport improvements for Londoners as part of the major regeneration of King's Cross, Elephant & Castle, Brixton and Southwark."

It is planned that there will be trams every two minutes on the central Euston to Waterloo section with services every four minutes on the Camden, King’s Cross, Peckham and Brixton sections.

The consultation will run from now until Tuesday 30 January 2007 and responses can be made by emailing crt@tfl.gov.uk, sending a letter to TfL FREEPOST NAT 22540, London, SW1 0BR or by calling freephone 0800 234 6004. More details on the route options, and details on the CRT project, can be found here.

A consultation will be launched on the proposed depot in Peckham in the New Year.
Source: Transport for London & icSouthLondon

ANTI NET EXTENSION CAMPAIGNERS CLAIM 9,000 WILL BE AFFECTED
Sunday 26 November 2006
Campaigners at a meeting organised by the Beeston and Chilwell Business and Residents’ Association (BCBRA) have claimed that as many as 9,000 will be affected by the proposed extensions to Nottingham’s trams – and they say they will not take it laying down.

Paul Ilsley, from the group, told the meeting: “This turnout shows just how important an issue the people of this area believe this is. We calculate it will affect 9,000 people. Just look at all the green space we have got. It will all go, including 93 trees. Isn't that appalling? It is not just going right by houses, it is going right through some houses. We have a real fight on our hands because we are fighting the Government. What do we do next? Firstly we become a real pain in the backside. We do not go away. We unite on this common cause and we become organised."

More than 200 people were present at the “public” meeting, although there was nobody present to give the opposite views as pro-tram campaigners were allegedly told they were not welcome at the meeting.

Another local resident, Alan Fretwell, a 73 year old who lives in Neville Sadler Court, which is to be partly demolished, said: “There are many elderly and vulnerable people living in this complex who are terribly frightened at what has been proposed."
Source: This is Nottingham

CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 26 November 2006
The main news this month comes from London United Tramways 159, the current major restoration project, as usual. Recent progress has seen complex curved trims being made for the canopy ends and work continuing on body rails and various pieces of trim. Window trims and frames are being prepared, the sliding bulkhead doors have been trial fitted to enable the associated pulley and chain mechanism to be repaired and dry fitted. Meanwhile, the newly cast driving wheels are giving cause for concern whilst the issue of cracks in the wheel castings is on-going and is now being pursued by a specialist.

London Transport 1622 has now had its repairs completed and it is expected the tram will be commissioned into the serviceable fleet for 2007.

The north motor of Glasgow 22 has now been repaired and it has been refitted. The tram now requires final checks and testing before it is released back into service. Sheffield 510 is awaiting space in the workshop for the refitting of its now fixed north east truck spring by the contractor.

During this winter Southampton 45, Paisley 68 and London County Council 106 will have detailed examinations to assess their condition and availability for traffic in 2007. Priority will be given to 45 where the pronounced body/platform sagging at the south end will need to be investigated.

Finally, Liverpool 869 has been withdrawn from service and is in need of lifting and a thorough examination after a derailment on the depot cross over points.
Source: Contact from the Tramway Museum Society

METROLINK TRACK UPGRADES CONTRACTOR REVEALED
Sunday 19 November 2006
Carillion Construction Ltd have been announced as the contractor for the replacement of nearly 20 miles of track on the Bury and Altrincham Metrolink during next summer.

The track on large stretches of these original Phase One lines are worn out with some of them dating back 50 years as many parts were not relaid when conversion to Metrolink happened.

David Leather, Interim Director General of GMPTE, said: “The track on the Bury and Altrincham lines is more than 50 years old in some places and is rapidly approaching the end of its natural life. It's noisy for residents and uncomfortable for passengers. It's also making the service unreliable as the Metrolink vehicles need frequent repairs. We're planning to carry out the work to replace track on the Bury and Altrincham lines during next summer when fewer people will be using the Metrolink network. We'll be replacing the track in sections so that as much of the system can remain open as possible. I hope passengers will bear with us while the work takes place as it will lead to a major benefit for the network. Journeys on Metrolink will be much smoother and more reliable once it's complete."

The work on the Bury line will commence in May 2007 and should be completed by the end of September whilst the Altrincham line should see attention between July and the end of August. Replacement bus services will be provided for the duration of the work and a major information campaign will be launched early next year to make passengers and local residents aware of the plans.
Source: Bury Times, GMPTE, Manchester Online & BBC News Online

WORK STARTS ON NEW DLR STATION ON STRATFORD LINE
Sunday 19 November 2006
Construction work started last week on the new Docklands Light Railway station at Langdon Park on the Stratford line between the current stations at All Saints and Devon Road.

This new station should provide much needed access to public transport for thousands of Tower Hamlets residents and local businesses. It will cost £7.5 million to build, with funding coming from the Government’s Community Infrastructure Fund and Leaside Regeneration.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said: “A brand new Docklands Light Railway station at Langdon Park will play a key role in the regeneration of this area, opening up access to jobs and housing. It comes after the extension of the DLR to City Airport and will be followed by extensions to Woolwich Arsenal and Stratford International. "

The contract for the construction of the station was awarded last month to Costain with completion set for 2007.

Ian Brown, Managing Director of TfL London Rail and Chairman of DLR said: “I am delighted that the construction of Langdon Park station is now underway and on track for completion in just over a year's time. The new DLR station will be invaluable to the people of Tower Hamlets, opening up opportunities to access new jobs and services that will deliver benefits for years to come. The project is an excellent example of what can be achieved by effective partnerships between local businesses, boroughs and government departments - of which we should all be proud."
Source: Docklands Light Railway

VANDALISM CAUSES METROLINK DISRUPTION
Sunday 19 November 2006
Further disruption was felt to Manchester Metrolink services from the afternoon of Friday 17 November due to vandalism – with services not returning to normal until 1530 on Saturday 18 November.

The vandalism was in Crumpsall where the signalling and communications system was damaged, according to a Serco Metrolink spokesman. This meant that no trams were able to run on the Bury line and no replacement buses were used as Metrolink believed there were plenty of normal service buses in the area which could cope with the passengers.

The spokesman from Serco Metrolink commented: “We discovered 25m of signalling cable and fibre-optic communications cable was cut, which resulted in signalling and communications failure. We had had to suspend all services and implemented emergency procedures to get all the vehicles back into the depot.”
Source: BBC News Online

AGREEMENT SIGNED TO PREPARE BIRMINGHAM CITY CENTRE FOR METRO
Sunday 19 November 2006
A £7.3 million legal agreement has been signed by Birmingham City Council cabinet to prepare the city centre for Metro trams, if the government give the funding required to complete the Metro extension to Five Ways which will go via the city centre.

Transport Chief Cllr Len Gregory said: “I believe it is important we are prepared to proceed quickly when an announcement is finally made. This is a major project involving a huge financial commitment and has required detailed and deliberate assessment at every stage."

He added that the money would be spent on highway improvements aimed at eliminating any congestion the trams may cause when travelling through the already very busy city centre roads. Highway experts have reportedly said they are concerned over the impact of trams running on bus routes and also on peak hour congestion. It is likely that traffic will banned on some roads including the Broad Street entertainment zone, whilst 120 buses will be displaced from Corporation Street

* In other news this week from Birmingham, city council officials have advised caution over claims from Centro that Midland Metro will make a profit once the extensions have been opened in 2015. A spokesman from the council said: “Assumptions produce an early predicted operating surplus - but experience with the first Metro line suggests they may be optimistic.” Estimates have been made that fares could fall short by as much as 20%, in which case taxpayers would have to pay a £1 million subsidy on the trams.
Source: icBirmingham

TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH NEWS ROUND-UP
Sunday 19 November 2006
* It has been claimed by Willie Gallagher, chairman of tie, that over 1000 permanent jobs will be created once the tram network opens in Edinburgh. Mr Gallagher made the claim during a fact finding mission to Nottingham to view the success of the tram system there. Hundreds of temporary construction jobs are also likely to be available once the system is given the go-ahead. The Edinburgh delegation were told how an estimated £60 million had been put back into the economy of Nottingham as a result of the opening of the trams.

* The new Edinburgh local transport strategy has put expansion of the tram network as key to cut congestion in the city. Even though the network has not been given approval the strategy is keen to see it expanded to help get more people on public transport in the city – at current estimates only a 3% increase looks likely by 2011.

Cllr Ricky Henderson, transport leader on the City Council, said: “A great deal has been achieved in the last few years, and there is even more on the horizon. Trams will prove a huge success once they are up and running. There is more that can be done, but we are all too aware that resources are limited.”

* On the 50th Anniversary of the closure of Edinburgh’s first generation tram system, tie have promised to deliver all the benefits that a modern system has to offer. The last tram route closed on 16 November 1956 running from Granton to Morningside.

Willie Gallagher said: “Today marks an important anniversary for the city of Edinburgh, but it’s also the beginning of an exciting future, where trams will again become a reality in Scotland’s capital. As we near the time when the tram business case will be presented to the council, there is a lot of enthusiasm about their re-introduction. It’s amazing to think that 50 years on, the benefits of tram travel will be enjoyed by people in Edinburgh again. We are demanding the most advanced system in the world for Edinburgh’s 21st century tram network to make sure it is efficient, reliable and easy to use.”
Source: The Scotsman & tie

NEW OPERATOR FOR METROLINK AS SERCO BID REJECTED
Sunday 12 November 2006
The Manchester Metrolink network will have a new operator by spring next year after the shortlist was revealed by the GMPTE – with Serco not in the final two.

The shortlist features Stagecoach (current operators of Supertram in Sheffield) and Keolis (the French transport operator who are in partnership with First on the Transpennine Express national rail franchise).

Serco took over the system in 1997 and had a contract to run the system until 2014 but there was a clause that allowed the GMPTA to put the operation to tender in case of new developments – in this case the £100 million to buy eight new trams and refurbish the lines between Bury, Altrincham and the city centre.

David Leather, the PTA interim Director General, said: “We carried out a detailed evaluation of the bids and have now asked Keolis and Stagecoach to submit their best and final offers for the contract. We will appoint the new operator early next year and it will start running the Metrolink trams from spring 2007."

Ian Dobbs, Chief Executive of Stagecoach Group’s Rail Division, said: “We are pleased to have been short listed for the Manchester Metrolink contracts and we look forward to submitting attractive, high-quality and value-for-money bids. We have significant experience of operating a major tram system in Sheffield, where we are now carrying a record 13 million passengers a year, and we believe we can build on this operational expertise. Stagecoach has already developed an excellent reputation for delivering high-quality bus services in Manchester over the past decade, increasing passenger numbers by around 25%. We believe we can work in partnership with GMPTE to improve Metrolink’s quality of service to customers and attract more people to the tram."
Source: Manchester Online & Stagecoach Supertram

TRAM-TRAINS FOR TEES VALLEY?
Sunday 12 November 2006
Community leaders in the Tees Valley have submitted a business plan to the Department for Transport to transform the rail network between Darlington and Saltburn to a Metro system, with tram-trains mentioned as being used, although at this stage there will be no on street running and no additional routes.

This attempt to bring a “world class” transport system to the region has been led by Tees Valley Regeneration with support from the Tees Valley Partnership and five local councils. The Tees Valley Regeneration Chief Executive, Joe Docherty, said: “Transport links that unite the region and create jobs and investment are absolutely vital in ensuring that the Tees Valley reaches its full potential. I don't know of any area that has transformed itself that doesn't have a successful, modern public transport system - think of Newcastle, Manchester and Sheffield - and so we have spent the past two years looking at how we can make that happen here in the Tees Valley. The Metro would raise our national profile, encourage greater inward investment, and enhance the quality of life for everyone in the region."

The Metro would run from Darlington to Saltburn calling at all existing stations and five brand new stops including one at Durham Tees Valley Airport. If this first phase is a success it is hoped to extend the network to Hartlepool and Nunthorpe. Services would operate every 15 minutes during the daytime with journey time being 45 minutes end to end – 11 minutes less than current services.

It is estimated that the project would only cost £150 million and it is hoped that a decision will be made by the DfT by the end of 2007, and if given the go-ahead it would be operational within 10 years.
Source: icNewcastle & BBC News Online

SUPERTRAM EXTENSIONS BACK ON THE AGENDA?
Sunday 12 November 2006
The Chairman of Stagecoach, Brian Souter, has said that the extensions to the Supertram system run by his company could be back on track with the firm now investigating alternative ways of extending the system. Earlier this year the DfT rejected the extension plans, with the usual excuse of it not being value for money being used.

In an interview with the local Sheffield Star newspaper Mr Souter said: “There is more than one way to skin a cat. There are optical guidance systems for example, which are a cheaper type of system. It picks up a white line and talks to the steering box. There are magnetic guidance systems too. We are willing to buy the trams. We have already put a tremendous amount of investment into the Supertram. I think the tram system is a tremendous asset for Sheffield."

They are also looking into dedicated pathways for buses to allow vehicles to drive unimpeded through traffic or a tram on wheels – the dreaded bus that looks like a tram but isn’t but we hope people will be fooled into thinking it is.

Stagecoach are also drawing up plans to link more of their bus routes with tram services to make the two networks as interactive as possible.
Source: Sheffield Today

TRAMLINK SERVICE DISPUTE GOES TO COURT OF APPEAL
Sunday 12 November 2006
London Bus Services Limited (LBSL) has taken Tramtrack Croydon Limited (TCL) to the Court of Appeal over the continuing saga of who should pay for increased services on the Tramlink network.

LBSL have claimed that the 99 year contract TCL have to operate the network means that it can increase passenger capacity by a third – with Tramtrack footing the bill. Earlier this year the case was chucked out of court when the judge ruled TCL would not have to foot the bill.

Paul Davison, from TCL, was not happy that LBSL had resorted to going to the Court of Appeal: “We would expect the costs of an expansion to be met between us. We don't believe there is a problem with tram capacity anyway and we don't expect one for a long time."

LBSL, however, claim that it was unfair for the taxpayer to contribute to an increase in passengers and revenue for a private company. A TfL spokesman speaking on behalf of LBSL said: “We await the decision of the Court of Appeal on the parties' responsibilities for enhancing the system to deal with overcrowding in the future."
Source: icSouthLondon

MALIN BRIDGE PARK AND RIDE OPENS
Sunday 12 November 2006
The Malin Bridge Park and Ride opened to the public on Monday 6 November, aiming to encourage drivers to park on the outskirts of Sheffield and complete their journeys by public transport.

The completed Park and Ride site provides parking spaces for 104 cars (including seven for disabled users) and 5 cycle stands, CCTV cameras, good lighting and a barrier controlled entrance. This has enabled the site to achieve Park Safe standard, offering a safe environment for customers to leave their vehicles. There is also a riverside walk running around the edge of the site, complete with seating areas for local residents and users of the facility to enjoy.

Roy Wicks, Director General of the SYPTE, said: “There has been an increase in the number of customers using Sheffield Supertram in the Malin Bridge area, many of whom travel to the tram stop by car from places such as Stannington and Loxley. We hope by introducing over 100 park and ride spaces at the tram stop it will encourage more people to leave their car on the outskirts of the city centre rather than driving into work everyday.  Park and ride sites are a convenient, good value and easy way to travel to work and means you don’t have to worry about congestion.”

To celebrate the opening of the site the SYPTE offered free parking to users for the first week (6-12 November only) with Mr Wicks adding: “We are delighted to be able to offer passengers free parking at Malin Bridge Park and Ride site and we hope lots of people who usually travel into Sheffield City Centre will take advantage of this offer.”

Angela Smith, MP for Sheffield Hillsborough, commented: “If we are to encourage people to leave their cars at home and help cut congestion and more importantly cut CO2 emissions we need to provide easy alternatives to driving to the city centre. This latest additional Park and Ride in the Hillsborough area will do just that.”

The cost of the Park and Ride is £3.60 per day, which entitles you to parking and the use of entire supertram network. Tickets are available from the automated ticket machines located in the car park.
Source: SYPTE & Stagecoach Supertram

LIVERPOOL COUNCIL LEADER ANGER OVER NET CASH
Sunday 12 November 2006
Cllr Warren Bradley, the leader of Liverpool City Council, has hit out at the government’s funding for the extensions of Nottingham Express Transit after Liverpool’s own Merseytram was rejected – and he claimed that only Labour run councils were getting money from Whitehall.

Cllr Bradley said: “This is yet another Labour council that has been given money for a tram system. Manchester was handed £520m earlier this year yet Liverpool, Leeds and Bristol all lost out. I have to question the integrity of the Labour ministers making these decisions.”

His comments come at a time when the District Auditor is hearing evidence over the collapse of the Liverpool scheme from key figures involved. Investigators are also going through Merseytravel’s books to check how and why £56 million was spent on planning the route.

A spokesman from the Audit Commission said: “It is an ongoing inquiry and we have to meet with people involved. There is no real timescale as to when a report will be produced.”

Despite Cllr Bradley’s anger, a Merseytravel spokesman commented: “We are delighted for Nottingham and are pleased to see that the Government is supporting light rail schemes. It is important to note that the funding announcement today is for the extension of an existing light rail scheme rather than a brand new scheme.”
Source: icLiverpool

TRAM-SURFING RISK IN SHEFFIELD
Sunday 12 November 2006
Youths in Sheffield are risking their lives by taking part in so-called “tram surfing”. This involves the youths grabbing trams’ windscreen wipers and standing on the rubber bumpers whilst the vehicle is stationary. Then as the trams travel at speeds of up to 30 mph the youngsters cling on to the back.

Julia Shaw, commercial manager of Stagecoach Supertram, said: “It takes an adult imagination to think what could happen. To youngsters it's a free ride that's a bit more exciting. But they don't realise the dangers behind it. They could come off at a swing into the path of a tram or car coming in the opposite direction. I'm quite sure they wouldn't be laughing if one of them got killed. Sometimes a conductor sees them, or quite often it's passengers that report them, or passing trams."

In the past year there have been up to 10 reports of these tram surfing incidents, but it is not easy for the drivers to spot because it happens at the rear of the tram. The incidents have been reported at Middlewood, Shalesmoor, Fitzalan Square and Park Grange Road.

Stagecoach Supertram Operations Manager, Eddie Birkitt, said: “We had two people arrested for tram-surfing last year. It's a very stupid practice," he added. "If the tram has to brake suddenly it would be very difficult for the youths to hold on and they could be catapulted off."

Supertram are liaising with tram operators in other cities of the UK to discuss the problem, and also sends speakers to local schools to highlight the dangers.
Source: Sheffield Today

CITY CENTRE METRO EXTENSION DELAYED UNTIL 2014
Sunday 12 November 2006
It has been claimed that the city centre extension of Midland Metro will not open to passengers for another eight years – in 2014, with construction commencing in 2010. This comes at a time when Labour councillors are alleging the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition in charge of the City Council are plotting to sabotage the expansion of the system.

Cllr Kath Hartley from the Ladywood constituency said: “Far from the Government being to blame for the metro extension hitting the buffers, it is the delays and incompetence introduced by the Tories and the Liberal Democrats that have jeopardised the metro extensions. This two-year delay raises the suspicion that council politicians have attempted to sabotage the scheme."

However, these claims have been countered by Cllr Ken Clark, the council’s lead member on Centro-PTA. He pointed out that the government have rejected other tram schemes in recent years: “The notion that had we put in a bid a year earlier it would have been subject to some miraculous approval process belies the facts.”

He instead preferred to blame the government, accusing them of putting the Metro into the sidings: “I have grave concerns about whether we are going to make progress and whether the Government will give us the necessary support. The metro extension is stuck in the sidings. That is the political reality. I would urge all business interests and local authorities to apply maximum pressure on the Department for Transport to give appropriate and urgent consideration to this project."

A Centro spokesman, however, said the project was still on track and there was no real cause for concern: “We have earmarked the local funding we need and the project more than meets Government value for money criteria for Ministers to clear the way in 2007.”
Source: icBirmingham

CONGESTION CHARGING FOR METROLINK “OK IN PRINCIPLE”
Sunday 12 November 2006
Transport bosses in Manchester have said there is a case in principle for congestion charging to fund the proposed Metrolink extensions in a report drawn up by the Chief Executive of the City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein.

The report says that 30,000 new jobs could be at risk through jammed roads during the next 10 years. It also confirms that to get any cash from the Transport Innovation Fund, a bid will have to include plans for some form of congestion charging – and those who do not bid are likely to have it forced on them in the years to come.

Four key tests will have to met before road-pricing would be allowed in Greater Manchester including a significant improvement in public transport, the business community would have to accept it, there must be proof the economy would not be undermined and measure must be targeted where congestion exists or may emerge, according to the report.
Source: Manchester Online

BLACKPOOL & FLEETWOOD TRAMWAY NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 12 November 2006
* The latest edition of the Fylde Tramway News reports that Blackpool Transport are set to mothball further trams, with the fleet likely to be reduced to the mid 30s. It is widely thought that the biggest victims of this “cull” will be the Twin Cars with all five remaining sets likely to be put out of service. Other trams rumoured to be in danger this time around are some of the Railcoaches (surely 622, 678 and possibly 680 will be on the list this time) and also some vintage trams (40 and 660 mentioned in this respect).

It is believed that any trams that will be mothballed will be able to put back into service when required, at busy times such as the Illuminations, although whether this happens remains to be seen, especially with the examples seen in the last couple of years of trams being mothballed and never seen again (think 607 and 619. The most concerning trams on the list have to be the “vintage” trams, which surely have to be a pull to tourists who will ride on “proper” historic trams when they may not go for a ride otherwise. What the harm be in having a properly marketed weekend and school holiday vintage tram service between Pleasure Beach and North Pier/Cabin?

* It is looking likely that Balloon 720 will be the next tram to be refurbished in the workshops, after Blackpool Transport gave the go-ahead for a further Balloon to be overhauled after the completion of 717. It is believed that 720 will be chosen as it is in a poor condition and had an expired all over advert. The tram would receive a “713” style overhaul, keeping the basic shape of a Balloon but with modern features.

* A relief to many is likely to be the modifications coming for Balloon 719 - The Walls Trams. Steve Burd has confirmed to the Fylde Tramway News that Blackpool Transport’s contractual obligations to Walls came to an end of October and that the vehicle with have its Walls branding removed and the front end panels replaced by windows. It is also hoped internally the tram will be amended – increasing the low seating capacity.

* Don’t forget the only way to receive full monthly news on the Blackpool Tramway is to become a member of the Fylde Tramway Society. For more details on this see here or here.
Source: Fylde Tramway News

CROYDON TRAMLINK NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 12 November 2006
* TCL have taken delivery of the first of their new Maintenance Vehicles for use on the system – with another one to come. The vehicles have been purchased second hand from Deutsche Bahn and will come along with three wagons, they have all been overhauled, had their wheels re-profiled to tramway standards and fitted with vehicle type lighting by Schweerbau in Germany.

They are a smaller version of the type of Plasser introduced onto the UK national rail network some time ago as “GP-TRAMM”. They are basically a small lorry on rail wheels, powered by a diesel engine, driving both axles through a classic mechanical transmission, with a small load space and a hydraulic lorry-loader type crane. The first vehicle and one wagon were delivered to Therapia Lane depot on Wednesday 1 November – a photo of the vehicle can be seen here.

* There have been more ticket machine thefts on the network with Elmers End, Arena (eastbound), New Addington and Mitcham Junction (eastbound) being targeted on Saturday 28 October and Phipps Bridge on Sunday 5 November. The first day’s incidents saw nobody being caught but the Phipps Bridge attempt was recorded on CCTV. All damaged machines have been fixed by welding a new plate over the hole.

* For all the latest news, and more on these stories, visit the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink website.
Source: Unofficial Croydon Tramlink Website

SUPERTRAM WINS UK BUS AWARD
Sunday 5 November 2006
Stagecoach Supertram have been awarded the Street Transit Award at this years UK Bus Awards, beating off competition from the Blackpool Tramway, NET and the Crawley Busway.

A spokesman from Supertram said: “We are extremely proud to have won this award. It demonstrates and recognises our commitment to providing a service that is second to none and recognises the dedication of all our staff, both operational and engineering.”

The award was based on eight different criteria including their customer relations, employee good practice, operational and engineering performance, sustainable finances, risk management, serving the community and market development. The final criteria was a practical assessment where a “mystery shopper” visited the system to confirm users experiences.

Included in the above criteria were statistics on timekeeping and lost mileage, together with a commentary on any major equipment of software incidents that have disrupted service and how these have been dealt with. The entrants also had to show how they contribute to sustaining and expanding the market for public transport in their area, including joint working with local authorities and integration schemes.
Source: Stagecoach Supertram

DEVELOPERS WELCOME NET EXTENSION PLANS
Sunday 5 November 2006
Commercial developers in Nottingham and the surrounding area have welcomed last weeks news that the government have put funding on the table for the extensions of Nottingham Express Transit with the company behind the NG2 development calling it “fantastic”.

Peter Gadsby, director of Miller Birch, said: “Getting into Nottingham easily was a key consideration when we acquired the site. The first indication from investors is that it vindicated their decision to move to NG2. We designed the layout of the site so that the trams could stop. We have already sold or let more than 400,000 sq ft and there is still another 400,000 sq ft to go. We have two people talking to us on the basis it will help their decision."

The site is the former Royal Ordnance factory and has land reserved for the tram line to pass through it. Already law firm Geldards, private bankers Coutts and insurance company HBOS have signed up to open offices there.

Chris Sinclair, director of commercial property agents Innes England, said: “"It is a matter of when rather than if. Some developers along the routes have had to take note of the line and stops anyway. The routes from the north, west and south will help getting into the city from the motorway. There will be a park and ride at Chilwell instead of motorists fighting their way through along the A453 or A52. It will ease congestion. The tram will triple the capacity of the public transport system and inevitably ease congestion."

* In last weeks Nottingham news update we reported the antis claiming that trams caused more environmental damage than cars. This argument has not been supported by any verifable facts and the "research paper" has not been peer reviewed at all. The Public Transport Users Association of the State of Victoria have carried out some calculations themselves based on widely published and respected figures and reach some very different conclusions. To read about this follow this link. (Thanks o Keith Riley for pointing this out!)
Source: This is Nottingham

COMPENSATION FOR EDINBURGH BUSINESSES DURING TRAM WORK
Sunday 5 November 2006
It has been revealed that businesses on Leith Walk, Princes Street and West Maitland Street in the heart of Edinburgh city centre could receive up to a 20% rates reduction during the construction of the tram network.

The package of compensation was announced by Ron Hewitt, the chief executive of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and follows months of negotiations. It also includes an “open for business” marketing campaign to encourage shoppers not to desert the city centre during the work as well as a separate funding package to support small businesses that lose income during the construction.

The Chamber of Commerce are now backing the tram project with Mr Hewitt being quoted in the The Scotsman: “I hope we can now move forward to make Edinburgh's trams a resounding success."

Council leader Ewan Aitken said: “Trams will benefit businesses and further advance Edinburgh's successful economy by adding to transport choices and protecting the environment. It is, however, only right, fair and proper that we help to alleviate any short-term effects as the project is delivered."

The rates cuts will not have to be funded by either the council or tie but the other funding package will be added onto the overall cost of constructing the tram network.
Source: The Scotsman & BBC News Online

PECKHAM DISMAY OVER SMALL DEPOT REDUCTION
Sunday 5 November 2006
Campaigners in Peckham are dismayed after they discovered the reduction in size of the planned depot for the Cross River Transit in their town is only 0.4 of an acre – this after Transport for London were ordered to make it smaller by government inspectors.

The local residents group Peckham Vision have obtained copies of the altered plans through the Freedom of Information Act, and are reported to be “angry” and “dismayed” that they are not going to spared a large depot in the area.

Alfred Banya, spokesman from the group, commented: “The information we were given was that it would be smaller but it wasn't significantly different. We are now calling for a comprehensive review of all the possible sites. There may be other places that are more suitable than Peckham town centre and we do not feel that there has been a proper consultation."

It has now been decided that a working group will be set up between Southwark Council and the Nunhead and Peckham Rye Community Council to attempt to ensure everyone in the area who wants a say, and is affected by the plans, is heard.

Eileen Conn, also from Peckham Vision, said: “Being part of a new joint working group means the community can at last be properly involved in the plans. It is vital that there is a thorough review of the impact of a depot, as the original site selection process was seriously flawed."

It is planned to start a consultation on the tram route for Cross River Transit on 11 November, but this is not due to feature are dialogue on the location of the depot.
Source: icSouthLondon

CROYDON TRAMLINK NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 5 November 2006
* The audacity of thieves on the Tramlink network has reared its ugly head again recently with a gang managing to actually break into ticket machines – with at least three such robberies taking place, at Therapia Lane, Waddon Marsh and Arena.

The most audacious robbery took place at Therapia Lane on the night of Monday 23 October at 1.20am, whilst trams were still running into the depot at the end of the days service, these of course were only a few yards away. The criminals were well equipped for the deed as they broke into the actual machine by using an angle grinder to cut open the machine near to the cash box on the eastbound platform. When the pair were shouted at by a tram driver on his way home they fled the scene on a moped and luckily the whole incident was observed by a controller in the nearby Control Room and was recorded, although unfortunately the moped’s registration was not recorded.

* Further thefts have been recorded on the system, this time it is further copper with some cables still going missing on the Wimbledon line and between Sandilands and Addiscombe. It may be remembered that the whole system was brought to a standstill last month when copper was stolen from the Wimbledon line meaning no trams could leave the depot.

* A new procedure was introduced on Monday 23 October to remove the dirt and grime from the sides of the trams. The previous procedure saw the first part of the wash spray on the detergent and the second part wash it off after a scrubbing. However, it is believed that the detergent does not have enough time to work before being scrubbed off. So now the first trams in each of the early and late run ins will see an additional operation with the trams being sprayed with detergent by ISS cleaners before it enters the washer – this should give it time to work before it is washed off.

* All the Temporary Speed Restrictions on the New Addington line have now been lifted whilst all but one have gone on the Beckenham Junction line following the recent tamper work. The one remaining on the Beckenham line is the recently applied 20kph one on the bouncy track between Sandilands and Addiscombe eastbound – although this is expected to be lifted soon after recent work undertaken by hand. The TSRs do still remain on the Wimbledon line as the tamper was not scheduled to operate here in this visit.

* For all the latest news on the Croydon Tramlink system visit the Unofficial Croydon Tramlink website where there is more on these stories and more stories too!
Source: Unofficial Croydon Tramlink

TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH NEWS ROUND-UP
Sunday 5 November 2006

* tie have angered residents in the city by fly posting the area with adverts for a community meeting on the trams. Local people to the Roseburn area complained to the council’s environment department afters posters were stuck to lampposts. Normally, only statutory notices are allowed to be stuck to lampposts unless permission is given by the Council – and in this case it was.

* The Conservative spokesman for transport in Scotland has said that he believes the trams should only run from Ocean Terminal to Haymarket – a view which is counter to his fellow party members on the Council who wish to see it go as far as the airport. David Davidson MSP thinks the money saved by reducing the tram route could be put towards a new Forth Road Bridge or an upgraded Waverley Station.

The comments were made at a Breakfast Meeting organised by the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce and were echoed by SNP Transport Spokesman Fergus Ewing. However, Bristow Muldoon from Labour and Tavish Scott of the Liberal Democrats continued to back the current plans.
Source: The Scotsman