The extension would leave the current network at the Harrington Road tram stop and then travel to Crystal Palace via Anerley.

The three proposed routes are:
* On-street: Joining Anerley Road just north of an existing railway bridge, the route would run along Anerley Road and Anerley Hill to Crystal Palace Park north of the Brunel Tower then running through the Park and terminating alongside the bus terminus at Crystal Palace Parade.
* Off-street: Crossing Anerley Road bridge at street level and then running alongside existing railway lines before emerging by Crystal Palace Station. It would then run up Ledringtion Road and across the National Sports Centre access road entering Crystal Palace Park and then running parallel to Anerley Hill before climbing onto a landscaped embankment, finishing at the bus terminus.
* Hybrid: Joining Anerley Road as on the on-street route, staying on Anerley Road before turning right into Crystal Palace Station Road. Following this it would run up Ledrington Road and then would follow the same route to the bus terminus as the off-street route.

£10 million has been set-a-side for the planning process of this extension, including this consultation which is scheduled to commence in mid-October, with a completion date of December mentioned.

Mervyn Hing, chairman of the Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood Chamber of Commerce commented: “If it comes up to the bus terminus there are many traders who believe it will be good for the area. There are, however, others who fear that business could suffer because people will be able to get to Croydon in just a few minutes and may decide to shop there instead of up here."

More positivity came from Cllr Chris Wright, Croydon Council’s cabinet member of transportation: “The extension will make access to Crystal Palace Park and the Upper Norwood Triangle much easier. I think people are going to love it."

If the line is approved a date of 2013 for opening has been suggested.
Source: icCroydon

ALNWICK TRAM PLAN DISRUPTED BY NEW SUPERMARKET
Sunday 24 September 2006
The plans to introduce trams to Alnwick in Northumberland may have been disrupted by plans in the town for a new supermarket. The Aln Valley Railway Society wanted to use part of the town’s Grade 2 listed former railway station as a tram stop to link with a planned heritage railway scheme, however, Lidl have now won the Council’s backing to build a new store behind the site.

The steam line is due to be started on within the next year, and would see three miles of track used along the disused branch line between Alnwick and Avonmouth. The idea was to see a new station built outside Alnwick – probably at Lionheart Enterprise Park on the east of the A1, and the journey into the town would then be by an ultra-light tramway.

This would see a lightweight single track rail bridge over the A1 and a ground level crossing at South Road, before reaching the old Alnwick station.

Society spokesman Roger Jeremy said: “We are talking about plans which are still a long way off, but it is a disappointing development for us. We have the backing of Northumberland County Council to re-lay the track on the old line, and also have Sustrans on board, which is going to clear the track bed. This latest setback won't affect those works, because we believe that the heritage line can operate on its own merits. What it does do, however, is raise new challenges to overcome in the future."

Lidl will be taking space which was needed for the tram by having a small car park. Their regional development manager, Gordon Rafferty, however was unrepentant: “We have carefully considered what AVRS has said, but it would involve losing over 30 of our proposed 89 car parking spaces. The store would be unviable at that level. We also feel that there are safety issues with a light railway line operating in what would be very close proximity to our customers."
Source: icNewcastle

TOLL TO REACH PROPOSED NET STOP – AND ONLY FOR OVER 55S
Sunday 24 September 2006
Commuters heading from the Nobel Road Estate in Clifton to a proposed tram stop on Phase 2 of Nottingham Express Transit will be forced to walk round a new retirement village or pay a toll, and that is only if they are over 55.

The developers behind the recently approved, Clifton Retirement Village, have said that the will not let under 55s through their estate. John Payne, partnership director of the ExtraCare Charitable Trust, said: “There are issues around site safety, access and security. We will walk around the site with the planning committee and discuss the issues with them."

The site is a 24 acre retirement “village” and will include 327 flats and bungalows, as well sports and leisure facilities. However, the site is also the quickest route for commuters wishing to get to the proposed NET stop on Clifton Lane. Access to the “village” would only be available through a special key card, and that would only be available to residents and anyone over 55 who wishes to pay a fee to become a “Friend of the Village”.

Cllr Ian Malcolm commented: “The tram's main use will be to get commuters to and from work , which will attract mainly the under-55s. I don't think residents deserve to lose easy access to the tram."
Source: This is Nottingham

TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH NEWS ROUND-UP
Sunday 24 September 2006
* The contract for the diversion and protection of infrastructure including all underground pipes, cables and manholes has been awarded to Alfred McAlpine. The deal is the first of its kind in the UK, with just one company in charge of all the work – previously it has been split between the different utility providers.

A spokesman from tie said: “This crucial work will ensure that when the tram network is being constructed, there will be no disruption to key services such as electricity, gas and telecommunications. Equally, it will ensure that when the tram lines are in place, these services can be accessed without disrupting the running of services."

The deal is worth £50 million, with an initial pre-construction phase worth £1 million. If the tram plan is finally rejected there is a clause which would allow for termination of the project – and the deal would be only a fraction of the £1 million for McAlpine.

tie chairman, Willie Gallagher said: “This agreement effectively reduces the number of times roads will need to be dug up by using only one contractor. I'm sure that the public will agree that road works are something we all want to be kept to the minimum possible.”

* The Conservative transport spokesman for Edinburgh, Cllr Allan Jackson, has been appointed onto the board of tie. He said, after his appointment, that he wanted to make sure the tram plan was based on “and realistic estimates of finance and passenger numbers. The decision to go ahead or not with trams will be the biggest this council will ever have taken."
Source: The Scotsman

BUS WARS HIT METROLINK
Sunday 17 September 2006
The Manchester Metrolink system has been pulled into an escalating bus war with trams being severely delayed in the city centre by two bus companies running regular services on the same route.

The so called bus wars started on Monday 4 September when locally based UK North started to run buses on the profitable Stagecoach route from Chorlton to Manchester City Centre. The disruption started when buses from both companies attempted to gain access to the same bus stand in Piccadilly Gardens causing large queues to form. At one stage the queues stretched all the way from Piccadilly Gardens, the length of Mosley Street and down Oxford Street into Oxford Road.

During the evening rush hour on both Monday and Tuesday, the disruption got so bad on that first day that Metrolink services were suspended between Victoria and G-Mex after eight trams became stranded in the queues.

Police had to step in to force buses to move off the stand – which was seeing 30 buses an hour with 12 from UK North on top of the normal Stagecoach service.

By the end of the week, Beverley Bell, Transport Commissioner for the north west, ordered a maximum of 24 buses an hour at four of the stands at Piccadilly Gardens and just 18 an hour at the remaining four in order to try and solve the problem.

Roger Jones, the chairman of the GMPTA commented: “We have been wanting this to be done. It is great news and hopefully it will have an impact."
Source: Manchester Online

TRAMS FOR OXFORD STREET?
Sunday 17 September 2006
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has revealed that he wants to close Oxford Street to all traffic in the next few years and replace it with a tramway running a dedicated service.

Mr Livingstone said: “You should have nothing in Oxford Street, and perhaps Lower Regent Street, just basically a proper dedicated tram service so people can hop on and off."

This tramway would be a self contained route running between Marble Arch and Tottenham Court Road, and would be nothing to do with either the West London Tram or Cross River Tram currently being promoted by the Mayor’s office.

A major report has been commissioned by the New West End Company looking into transport in the area, and this is expected to be released sometime next month.

A spokesman from the company said: “Everyone recognises that Oxford Street's challenge is congestion. We are pleased that the decision makers are looking at effective ideas that will address this issue and turn it into a people place."

The Liberal Democrats in the capital are keen on the idea calling for a ban to traffic by 2009 and trams running by 2013.
Source: BBC News Online

NET EXTENSIONS COST RISES TO £399 MILLION
Sunday 17 September 2006
It has been reported that the latest estimate for the cost of building the proposed extensions to Nottingham Express Transit has risen from £377 million to £399 million – as the city still waits for a decision from the DfT.

Of course, Nottingham has been waiting since Line One opened in 2004 for a decision on these extensions. At the time, then Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said a quick decision would be made, but if this is a quick decision it would be amazing to think how long a long decision would be in the world of the government.

In a report for the City Council it is believed a decision is imminent: “Although the Department for Transport have been unwilling to commit to a date by which time a decision will be made, it is expected that this will be in early autumn.”

If the plan does get the go-ahead the joint promoters, the city and county councils, would have to provide 25% of the money (currently just less than £100 million). It is believed this would partly come from a city tax on business parking bays, although this is likely to prove unpopular with firms it would affect.

Pat Armstrong, project leader for NET, commented: “We've tried to take into account the impact of the 2012 London Olympics. There will be a lot of schemes going on and that will affect the price of building things. More demand means the price goes up."

It is hoped that the extensions would be able to open in early 2013.
Source: This is Nottingham

METROLINK TO CRACKDOWN ON OUTSTANDING FARE DODGERS
Sunday 17 September 2006
A Manchester wide crackdown is to be launched to try and recoup £24,000 still owed to Serco Metrolink from people who have failed to pay their fines for travelling on the network without a ticket.

There are approximately 200 warrants outstanding in the Greater Manchester area and they have all had letters sent to them warning them to expect a visit from Police or Court enforcement officers.

David Godley, Managing Director of Serco Metrolink, said: “We take very seriously the non-payment of fines and want people to understand that fare dodging is unacceptable behaviour which we will not tolerate. The majority of our passengers are honest fare paying individuals. However this kind of exercise is important to catch the few who try to dodge the system."

In connection with “Operation Fineline”, police and court enforcement officers were manning stations along the Altrincham and Bury lines during the week. Anyone who was caught travelling without a ticket was to be checked for any outstanding fines.

Mike Mabley, revenue recovery manager, said: “money is owed to the courts so warrants have been issued for their arrest. Those who do not pay will be arrested and taken to court."

Magistrates have the power to order that payments are deducted from offender’s wages or benefits, although it is still possible to pay their fine at their local magistrates court.
Source: Manchester Online

LIVINGSTONE URGED TO BACK CROSS RIVER TRAM
Sunday 17 September 2006
The Southwark executive member for regeneration Cllr Richard Thomas is urging the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, to back the Cross River Tram scheme to help with the development of public transport in south London.

Cllr Thomas said: “Here in South London we are in desperate need of better public transport links. We are the poor relation of the north here south of the river when it comes to the Tube. That could certainly be eased by adding this tram link."

There is controversy over the plan with locals in Peckham objecting to the construction of a depot in the locality, although the tram in principle has the support of the local population.

Cllr Thomas added: “Obviously there are issues to be worked out on this route. Exactly where the depot will be built is one such problem. But if it were given the go-ahead now, those could be worked out and we could be up and running in time for the Olympics in 2012. The tram link would give Peckham and Southwark so much. It would connect it properly for the first time to the centre of London."

A spokesman from the Mayor’s office commented: “We are coming up to a public consultation in the latter part of this year where all the options will be discussed."

The plan would see a £455 million tramway linking King’s Cross to Peckham taking in places such as Waterloo.
Source: icSouthLondon

TWO STABBINGS IN AS MANY WEEKS ON TRAMLINK
Sunday 17 September 2006
The Tramlink network in Croydon has been hit by two knife attacks in as many weeks, both of the incidents seeing teenagers injured.

The first incident took place on a packed tram in Croydon town centre after a 43 year old woman went on a rampage with a knife, stabbing a 14 year old girl and slashing a 77 year old man across the face, after he went to the girl’s aid.

It has been alleged that the woman, Sandra Bell, chased 14 year old Remi Spence down the tram after pulling out a kitchen knife and attacked her repeatedly. Of the people on the tram only a 77 year old pensioner went to her aid and he get slashed across the face by as a result.

Ms Bell was remanded in custody at a court hearing on Saturday 9 September. She was charged with two counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Speaking about this incident a British Transport Police official said: “Officers were called to the Wellesley Road tram stop at 4pm last Thursday after reports that two passengers had been stabbed. A 77-year-old male passenger who intervened was also injured during the incident, suffering a gash to the nose. Both were taken to Mayday Hospital for treatment. Their injuries are not life threatening."

In the second attack a 17 year old boy suffered multiple stab wounds after he was approached by a group of youths, also aged around 17, at Gravel Hill on Tuesday (12 September). The incident took place at 4.30pm and the teenager was taken to hospital having suffered multiple stab wounds to the upper body, face and legs – however, his injuries were not described as life threatening.

DI Bob Richardson commented about this latest incident: “Given the time of the day that this incident happened, we believe there would have been numerous other passengers on the tram who may have witnessed the attack. We are appealing for those people to come forward and talk to us about what they saw. We need the public to help us solve this crime."
Source: icCroydon & Croydon Guardian

FIVE CHARGED OVER SUPERTRAM ASSAULTS
Sunday 17 September 2006
Two members of Stagecoach Supertram staff were viciously assaulted at Herdings Park on 31 March 2006 – with one of them suffering a broken jaw. After a police investigation five youths were arrested and they have recently been sentenced in Sheffield.

The youth who punched the tram driver and left him with a broken jaw was charged with GBH and Assault. He was ordered to pay the driver £800 and received a supervision order for two years and a curfew order from 6pm to 7am for six months.

A young female was reprimanded for it being her first offence, another youth received a referral order for nine months and was ordered to pay the other member of staff £100, a second female received a six month referral order and costs of £50 to the driver, another youth received a referral order for four months and £50 costs to the driver and finally a further youth is being dealt with by the magistrates court.

The high resolution CCTV cameras fitted to the Supertram fleet proved very useful in this case, enabling the police to identify the culprits in the assault.
Source: Stagecoach Supertram

£24.5 MILLION SPENT ON WEST LONDON TRAM SO FAR
Sunday 17 September 2006
Following a Freedom of Information Act request by the Ealing Times it has been revealed that Transport for London have already spent £24.5 million on the controversial West London Tram.

The figures shows that since 2002, the following has been spent:
* £14.6 million on consultancy fees
* £1 million on survey work
* £120,000 on advertising the public consultation
* Remainder on staff costs and overheads

The future of the scheme is currently in doubt with even Mayor Ken Livingstone saying if the next public consultation sees a lack of support for the plan he may pull the plug.

Peter Hulme Cross, member of the London Assembly’s transport committee – and opponent of the scheme said: “Ken conceded that the next opinion poll will determine the future of the tram. It is therefore vital that it is a fair poll, giving residents along the route the chance to support other alternatives to solve congestion issues."
Source: This is Local London

MP FEARS THAT TRAMLINK WILL BECOME MORE OVERCROWDED
Sunday 17 September 2006
Croydon Central MP Andrew Pelling has expressed his concern that Croydon Tramlink is going to get a whole lot more overcrowded with the start of free travel on London’s bus and tram network at the start of this month for under 16 and 17 year olds.

Mr Pelling commented: “It's expensive. It will cost about £42 million a year. There are also residents who have concerns about antisocial behaviour from under-18s. A lot of people are finding it hard to get on the buses and trams in the morning because of the young-person traffic. So giving it away for free like this is not right."

Roger Harding from Tramtrack Croydon refuted suggestions that the network would not be able to cope with the extra passengers. He said: “The sort of experience we've had with the under-16s travelling free is that those that are travelling to school by public transport anyway are going to carry on doing that. If that's the best way for them to get to school then that's the way they would go. Free travel hasn't made a significant difference to the commuter journeys to school and college. Obviously we would be very interested to observe and see what does happen. We don't foresee any capacity problems. I think it will generate more off-peak journeys."

The new scheme also includes half price adult travel on the Docklands Light Railway for 16 and 17 year olds.
Source: icCroydon

BLACKPOOL AND FLEETWOOD TRAMWAY NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 13 August 2006
Work has resumed on the major overhaul of Balloon 717 with the tram being moved back into the Body Shop on 5 August. The body is now resting on its new steel underframe, and this has been fitted with air pipes and compressor following a period in the Fitting Shop earlier this year. It is looking increasingly unlikely that a full heritage refurbishment will be undertaken on the tram after Blackpool Transport have chosen to accept recommendations from the HMRI, which will lead to a front end skirt/lifeguard arrangement similar to 713.

Unimog 938 has not yet been noted in service, despite the fact it has been in the town for nearly a year. 939 continues to undertake most duties with 754 also undertaking more work than it did when 940 and 941 were in town.

* The only way to get monthly news in depth on the Blackpool Tramway is to become a member of the Fylde Tramway Society. As well as the monthly Fylde Tramway News there are regular tram tours and meetings. For more details see here or here.
Source: Fylde Tramway News

CRICH TRAMWAY VILLAGE NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 17 September 2006
Work on the upper deck panelling/floor and trolley plank has now been completed on LUT 159. Current progress is being made on the body side trim, facing panels and drip rails with the material for seat frames, floor slats and rubbing strips now having been delivered. The south truck has now been stripped and the components are being cleaned and assessed – many parts are completely worn out and will have to be replaced. Meanwhile, the north truck continues to have replacement brake rigging fitted as it becomes available. A set back did occur when initial machining revealed shrinkage cracks in two wheel castings which necessitated them being returned to the supplier for rectification work.

Sheffield 510 has had to be withdrawn following the discovery of a broken leaf spring on the north east corner of the truck.

London Transport 1622 has now been fitted with its replacement motor pinions and the trucks reunited with the body. The tram, however, has not yet returned to service because it awaits further testing.

* This news is taken from Contact, a monthly newsletter on the Tramway Museum Society. In order to get this why not become a member of the TMS? Not only do you get this newsletter you also get a quarterly magazine and the opportunity to get into the Museum for free, amongst other benefits. For full details on how to become a member see here or here.
Source: Contact from the Tramway Museum Society

CROYDON TRAMLINK NEWS UPDATE
Sunday 17 September 2006
The main eastbound platform at East Croydon reopened to trams on Wednesday 30 August following the problems with the points. The points have only been partially repaired, and have been stuck into the position allowing them to enter the eastbound platform. However, they will not be able to use the centre platform at all. Westbound trams can still use the platform and it can be also be used to turn westbound trams to go back eastwards. It is not known when a complete repair will be done on the points allowing full operation of the main tramway hub.

The tamper is expected to return to the Tramlink on Monday 18 September to undertake some further work. It will commence work on the night of Wednesday 20, initially on the Beckenham Junction/Elmers End branches and then moving on the New Addington line, concentrating on the Lloyd Park to Addington Village section. It may be remembered that in its last visit it was unable to complete the work on the Addington stretch after a crane delivering ballast pulled the overhead down at Gravel Hill. The tamper should be in town for around three weeks, leaving again on 6 October.

* For full news on the Croydon Tramlink network including the new timetable so called problems, yobs causing more problems and 2533 causing problems at the depot click here.
Source: Unofficial Croydon Tramlink

TRAMS FOR EDINBURGH NEWS ROUND-UP
Sunday 17 September 2006
* Liberal Democrats in Edinburgh have expressed their concerns that the move of Cllr Andrew Burns from transport leader to education may derail the trams plan in the Scottish capital.

The new city council leader Ewan Aitken has undertaken a reshuffle of the senior positions with Cllr Burns given the top job in the children and families department. The new man in charge of transport is Cllr Ricky Henderson, formerly the culture and leisure chief.

However, the Liberal Democrat transport spokesman for Edinburgh, Cllr Phil Wheeler has expressed his concern over the move: “I was very surprised to learn that Andrew Burns had been moved from transport. Although we do not always agree, I respect his depth of commitment to transport in Edinburgh. Changing personnel for this crucial portfolio at this time seems strange. Edinburgh deserves better of its administration than to jeopardise these key issues by dropping a new executive member in cold with them."

* Meanwhile tie is set to appoint four new non-executive directors to help deliver transport projects – the tram system among them. It is planned to add Brian Cox (director of Lothian Buses), Kenneth Hogg (head of transport at the Scottish Executive), Neil Scales (chairman for Commission for Integrated Transport – and also former Chief Executive at Merseytravel) and Peter Strachan (director of Network Rail).

Cllr Ian Perry, who was chair of the recruitment committee said: “Edinburgh's tram network and link to the airport will be world-class and so are the experienced professionals we are proposing to help guide the project through."
Source: The Scotsman