LITTLE OVER A YEAR UNTIL OLDHAM LINE WORK STARTS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 28th September 2008
It has been announced that the last train will run between Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale on Saturday 3rd October 2009 – a little over a year away. Almost as soon as the railway is closed construction workers will move in to start converting it into a new Metrolink line. Transport bosses are now working closely with bus operators to see how the bus network can be enhanced during the upgrade.
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NEXT STAGE OF UTILITY DIVERSION WORK ANNOUNCED
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 28th September 2008
The next phase of the utility diversion works are to commence at the Mound junction with Princes Street on Wednesday 1st October, tie have officially announced. This work is expected to last until April 2009, with bus and other vehicle diversions in place throughout this period.
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PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED FOR CITY CENTRE TRACK WORK
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 28th September 2008
A new information campaign has been launched by the GMPTE to keep people up-to-date about a major project to upgrade the Metrolink track in Manchester city centre. This includes posters being put up at all 37 stops, letters being delivered to local residents and businesses and leaflets are being handed out at stops and GMPTE Travelshops.
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PRINCES STREET TO SHUT FOR SIX MONTHS
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 28th September 2008
It has been revealed that Princes Street will be closed to all traffic between January and July 2009 whilst track is laid for the Trams for Edinburgh project. It is likely that Princes Street will be the only road in the Scottish capital to be completely closed with others to be closed a carriageway at a time.
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MORE FUNDING FOR CRICH
Crich Tramway Village – Sunday 28th September 2008
Crich has been awarded further money for improvements to the site, this time through the Audience Development Fund to the tune of £30,000. Some of the money will be used to improve signage around the Woodland Walk area whilst some will go towards the Rolls Royce Community Development Project, which starts early in 2009. The museum is also to take part in a pilot staff training programme over the winter.
Source: Crich Tramway Village
RISE IN CONCESSIONARY PASS HOLDERS ON NET
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 28th September 2008
A meeting of the Greater Nottingham Light Rapid Transit Advisory Committee of the City Council has been told that 17% of all tram users are in possession of a concessionary pass – 5% up on 2006.
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SEATON TRAMWAY PINK DAY 24TH OCTOBER 2008
Seaton Tramway – Sunday 28th September 2008
The Gemini Radio Pink Day will be held at the Seaton Tramway again on 24th October 2008 with a special “Pink Party” being held. This is the official fundraising day for “Breast Cancer Care”. As part of this years event the Tramway will be collecting bras from 1st October for presentation to the Master of Bras 2008 – further details available at the link below. The pink tram - 09 - will depart Seaton at 1100 and will travel to Colyton for a tea party at the Tramstop Restaurant, it will then return at 1410 arriving at Seaton for 1435. VIP places are available with nominations accepted with more details at www.geminiexter.co.uk.
Source: Seaton Tramway
ANOTHER FALL IN PASSENGERS FOR DOUGLAS HORSE TRAMWAY
Douglas Horse Tramway – Sunday 28th September 2008
The Douglas Horse Tramway has been hit by another fall in passengers in 2008 with approximately 34,000 journeys taken until the end of July. In 2007 the figure was up at 44,000. Obviously part of the fall in number of passengers can be put down to the fact that the number of journeys actually operated has been severely declined. Douglas Council are expected to discuss the matter at their next meeting.
Source: BBC News Online
ROAD AND PARKING CHANGES FOR EDINBURGH
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 28th September 2008
Edinburgh City Council leaders have revealed that when the Trams for Edinburgh system has been constructed there will be significant changes for motorists. This will include parking banned in areas, public transport given priority and several roads being closed to all traffic except for trams and buses.
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PLEA FOR CENTRO TO THINK OF METRO ALTERNATIVES
Midland Metro – Sunday 28th September 2008
Members from the West Midlands Campaign for Better Transport are urging Centro to consider alternatives to the Midland Metro extensions they are pushing for. They want Centro to consider this as currently the funding for all the planned lines is not in place.
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GUIDED BUSWAY TO CLOSE IN NOVEMBER FOR TRAMS
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 28th September 2008
It’s not often in this day and age we can report that a guided busway in Edinburgh is to close during November to allow preparations for the laying of tracks for the forthcoming tramway in the city.
Source: The Scotsman
THE FOREST PARK AND RIDE TO CLOSE FOR GOOSE FAIR
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 28th September 2008
The Forest Park and Ride site will close for the Goose Fair from 1800 on Friday 26th September until 0600 on Wednesday 8th October. During this period passengers are advised to use the Wilkinson Street Park and Ride – just off the ring road.
Source: Nottingham Express Transit
THE RETURN OF THE TRAMGATE FINES
South Yorkshire Supertram – Sunday 28th September 2008
Sheffield City Council have confirmed that any vehicles (with the exception of trams, buses and taxis) going through the Hillsbrough “tramgates” will be fined again, following a period of “grace” after the installation of better signage. Drivers flouting the restrictions will be fined £60, with a reduction to £30 if the payment is made quickly. Cllr Ian Auckland commented: “We wanted to ensure as many motorists as possible were aware of the restrictions and impending enforcement. "We have made improvements to the carriageway, improved warning signs on approach to the gates and run an awareness campaign. We have listened to local people and made changes accordingly, so I hope there will be as little confusion as possible in the future."
Source: Sheffield Star
CRICH GETS HERITAGE LOTTERY FUND CASH FOR STONE WORKSHOP
Crich Tramway Village – Sunday 21st September 2008
It has been revealed that the Crich Tramway Village have been successful in their application for funding to restore the Stone Workshop into a new Exhibition and Learning Centre from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). This means £917,500 has been earmarked for the scheme, although final plans have to be produced and presented to the HLF for approval for the majority of the cash to be released.
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MAN DIES AFTER BUS-TRAM COLLISION
Croydon Tramlink – Sunday 21st September 2008
A 28 year old man – originally reported as being a pedestrian but since confirmed as a passenger on board a bus – died after a bus collided with a tram in Wellesley Road, central Croydon on Sunday 7th September. Six of the passengers on board the bus were also injured along with the driver of the bus – who was arrested upon release from St George’s Hospital, Tooting. The driver of the tram was also taken to hospital.
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ANOTHER PUBLIC INQUIRY FOR NET PHASE TWO
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 21st September 2008
The Department for Communities and Local Government have announced that a Public Inquiry will be held to consider the NET Phase Two proposals to buy land along the former railway embankment at Wilford. In addition this second Inquiry will hear new evidence about rare birds inhabiting the site proposed for a Park and Ride at Clifton.
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CROSS RIVER TRAM TO BE AXED AFTER LIVINGSTONE’S OVERSPEND?
Cross River Tram – Sunday 21st September 2008
It is looking increasingly likely that the Cross River Tram project will have to be axed as part of a major transport project review by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, allegedly after previous incumbent Ken Livingstone’s wasted large amounts of money on unfunded projects including the West London Tram and also an unsustainable fares policy. Indeed it is estimated that £80 million was removed from funds available for TfL this year because of Mr Livingstone’s “largesse”.
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CITY CENTRE TRACKWORK ON THE WAY
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st September 2008
AWork is to start on upgrading the track in Manchester City Centre from Saturday 27th September with both Piccadilly Station and Piccadilly Gardens being shut for eight weeks. This will be just the first stage of the upgrade work in the city centre with the remainder scheduled to be dealt with in 2009.
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WORK STARTS ON WOLVERHAMPTON WISHBONE BRIDGE
Midland Metro – Sunday 21st September 2008
The will they won’t they saga of the Wolverhampton Wisbone Bridge (used by Midland Metro on the approach to the St Georges terminus) has seen the work commence and Metro services terminate firstly at Priestfield and then at The Royal – as was originally planned. You may remember that despite publicity released by Midland Metro about the work taking place through September the local media were saying the work may not go ahead, but it is now well underway.
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REPLICA VANGUARD 619 RETURNS TO SERVICE
Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway – Sunday 21st September 2008
As expected Blackpool Replica Vanguard 619 made a return to the operational fleet of the Blackpool & Fleetwood Tramway on Friday 29th August after four years out of service. The tram was reinstated so there could be more suitable trams for Illumination Tours, and a welcome return it is too! It has been a regular performer since on both Tour duty and regular specials. In other Blackpool news Railcoach 680 has now had two yellow chevrons added to its ends to break up the plain dark blue livery.
BURY AND ALTRINCHAM LINE STATIONS TO GET UPGRADES
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st September 2008
The former railway stations on the Bury and Altrincham lines of Manchester Metrolink are to be refurbished as part of a new project in conjunction with GMPTA and system operator Stagecoach.
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RECRUITMENT DRIVE LAUNCHED FOR EDINBURGH TRAMWAY CONSTRUCTION
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 21st September 2008
A recruitment drive has been launched in the Scottish capital by Bilfinger Berger (the firm who have the contract to construct the Trams for Edinburgh project) to find 50 people to assist the 70 already in position in the construction.
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PLANS REVEALED ON HOW CENTRO WILL RAISE EXTRA METRO CASH
Midland Metro – Sunday 21st September 2008
The Wolverhampton Express and Star have claimed that a report by Centro outlines how they plan to get the extra money needed for extensions to the Midland Metro system. It includes plans to increase business rates and charge extra for new houses to be built near the lines.
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TRAFFIC DISRUPTION AFTER START OF HAYMARKET WORKS
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 21st September 2008
At last! After months of the local media predicting that the tram utility diversion works would cause disruption to traffic they have been proved right, with “severe delays” caused around Haymarket following the commencing of seven months of work at this location. The worst delays are said to be during rush hour (no kidding!) on Dalry Road and Morrison Street.
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REFERENDUM WILL BE INTRODUCED FOR CONGESTION CHARGING
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st September 2008
In what is surely a big blow to the hopes of receiving the TIF money for transport improvements in Greater Manchester, it has been revealed that a referendum will be held in December 2008 to see whether the public agree that congestion charging should be introduced. The decision was made after a meeting of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) at the end of August.
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TRACK SHARING PROPOSED FOR WEST MIDLANDS
Midland Metro – Sunday 21st September 2008
Centro and Network Rail’s joint study into looking at the possibility of sharing the proposed tram route from Wednesbury to Brierley Hill with freight trains is continuing and Centro have said it is all looking positive at the moment.
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WARRINGTON 2 RESTORATION UPDATE
Birkenhead Tramway – Sunday 21st September 2008
The official Merseyside Tramway Preservation Society website has been updated with the latest progress on the restoration of Warrington 2. A defect has been discovered in the original canopy bend and so two new ones have been fabricated – using the original as a guide. Photos of one of the bends can be found by following the link below.
Source: MTPS
NORMAL SERVICES RESUME ON DLR TO LEWISHAM
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 21st September 2008
Normal services resumed on the DLR between Crossharbour and Lewisham as planned on 26th August 2008. A major eight week construction programme has successfully taken place which will enable longer three-carriage trains to operate from 2010. This has now been completed and passengers will no longer have to change trains at Island Gardens.
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DLR SERVICE CHANGES 25TH & 26TH SEPTEMBER
Docklands Light Railway – Sunday 21st September 2008
As part of the ongoing work to enable three carriage trains to operate on the DLR there will be service changes on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th September, this will include an early finish on the Friday. No direct services will be able to run between Bank and Canary Wharf with passengers required to change at Poplar.
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BUS FARES TO RISE FOR TRAM EXTENSION?
Trams for Edinburgh – Sunday 21st September 2008
A report leaked to the Edinburgh Evening News has revealed that Edinburgh City Council officials are considering rising bus fares in order to pay for the Roseburn-Granton spur line of the Trams for Edinburgh project. The rise – which has been dubbed an unfair “tram tax” – is just one option which has been considered, including the disposal of Lothian Buses, whose majority shareholder is the Council.
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PARK AND RIDE SITES TO BE BUILT ON METROLINK EXTENSIONS
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st September 2008
Two large Park and Ride sites are to be built as part of the Manchester Metrolink extension to Oldham and Rochdale. The two sites will be built at the Hollinwood and Derker Metrolink stops whilst improvements will also be made to car parks at other stops on the line, including Shaw and Crompton.
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PLANS FOR NEW NOTTINGHAM TRAM LINE?
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 21st September 2008
Proposals have been revealed for a new football stadium and sports quarter between Holme Pierrepoint and Nottingham City Centre, and included in the proposals are a new tram line linking the site to the City Centre. The tram line would be on a new boulevard, which would only be used by trams, cyclists and pedestrians. The plans are only at an early stage but we will wait with interest the outcomes.
Source: This is Nottingham
MIDLAND METRO NEWS ROUND-UP
Midland Metro – Sunday 21st September 2008
The article in Rail Technology Magazine which talks about the track sharing plan for Midland Metro extensions also has a few more bits of news which are worthy of reporting. These include news about Transport and Work Act Orders and new trams for the whole network.
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METROLINK DISRUPTION CAUSED BY CAR-BUS COLLISION
Manchester Metrolink – Sunday 21st September 2008
A car and a tram collided in Mosley Street, Manchester City Centre on Wednesday 27th August at approximately 1320 causing major disruption. A passenger on the tram was taken to hospital for treatment and the road was closed whilst an investigation was carried out and the car was removed.
Source: Manchester Evening News
FIRST PROSECUTION IN NOTTINGHAM OVER TRAM SPIT INCIDENT
Nottingham Express Transit – Sunday 21st September 2008