Author Archives: Gareth Prior

Coroner urges reassessment on automatic tram brakes

Posted on Wednesday 29 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Sarah Ormond-Walshe, South London senior coroner, who presided over the inquest into the traffic deaths of seven people after a London Tramlink tram left the rails at Sandilands in November 2016, has called on the government to reassess the need … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Latest from Birmingham City Centre

Posted on Tuesday 28 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

The work on laying track in Birmingham City Centre has continued to make good progress over the past week or so with much of the track along Corporation Street now in place with work concentrating now on the curve round … Continue reading →

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West Street closure in Sheffield causes limited Supertram service to Middlewood and Malin Bridge

Posted on Tuesday 28 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

With West Street closed to all through traffic from late on Friday 24th September only a very limited service was able to run on the Blue and Yellow routes the other side of the closure the following morning. One tram … Continue reading →

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Planned Metrolink engineering works this October

Posted on Tuesday 28 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

There are to be further engineering works on Manchester Metrolink during October affecting services on the Altrincham, Bury, Rochdale and Airport lines on a couple of Sundays during the month. Works will take place on Sunday 3rd October (Bury line … Continue reading →

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Shortlist revealed for Global Light Rail Awards

Posted on Monday 27 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Tramways and light rail systems from across the world will be waiting with anticipation for Wednesday 6th October when the results are announced on the Global Light Rail Awards at a glitzy ceremony in London. The shortlist has now been … Continue reading →

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UK’s first 5G connected tram helps to win award at Connected Britain Awards 2021

Posted on Monday 27 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

You may recall earlier this year that West Midlands Metro Urbos3 35 became the UK’s first 5G connected tram and now that initiative has helped West Midlands 5G (WM5G) win at the recent Connected Britain Awards 2021.

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Whatever Happened To? Crich Tramathon 2005 – Sheffield 510

Posted on Monday 27 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Today’s “Whatever Happened To?” features a tram which has been regularly in the operational fleet at Crich in recent years but at the 2005 Tramathon was confined to a static display role at Wakebridge.

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Stop by Stop Blackpool Tramway: Sandhurst Avenue

Posted on Sunday 26 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this article we continue our way along the Blackpool Tramway with “Stop by Stop” now arriving at Sandhurst Avenue.

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Criticism over Trams to Newhaven pavement designs

Posted on Sunday 26 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Campaigners from Living Streets Edinburgh have criticised the Trams to Newhaven project over what they describe as “hopeless” pavement designs with their width said not to meet the required standard. They claim that there are 11 different sections of pavement … Continue reading →

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West Midlands Metro joins Workwise scheme offering free travel to new workers

Posted on Sunday 26 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Anyone resident in the West Midlands who has just gained a new job could benefit from free bus, tram and rail travel to work as part of a new scheme. Workwise has seen Transport for West Midlands team up with … Continue reading →

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Over 1.2 million journeys made using Metro’s Pop blue card

Posted on Sunday 26 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Introduced by Nexus in 2018, the Pop Blue smartcard for travel on the Tyne and Wear Metro has proved to be very popular with more than 1.2 million journeys recorded. The idea of the introduction of the card was to … Continue reading →

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In Pictures: Trams return to Beamish Town Centre

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Since trams returned to service at Beamish on 4th September they have only been able to run to the outskirts of the town with a temporary terminus provided at Town East, but all that has now changed with Wednesday 22nd … Continue reading →

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Fewer staff required to self isolate but staff retention and recruitment remain challenge to UK tram operators

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

“This service has been cancelled because of staff shortages”. Anyone who has attempted to travel on the UK transport network in recent weeks and months probably can’t help but be aware of the challenges all transport operators – whether that … Continue reading →

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Around the World in Trams: Amsterdam H9 to the rescue!

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we continue our 1983 views from Amsterdam we feature a tram rescue.

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Wirral Transport Show returns Sunday 3rd October – without operating trams

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

With the Wirral Heritage Tramway in Birkenhead still unable to operate, the return of what used to be called the Wirral Bus and Tram Show but for 2021 will be known as the Wirral Transport Show will be a bit … Continue reading →

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Out and About: Edinburgh Trams from above at the Airport

Posted on Saturday 25 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

In this latest edition of “Out and About” we feature Edinburgh Trams as we take an aerial view at the Airport.

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First section of track installed outside Wolverhampton Railway Station

Posted on Friday 24 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

Trams should be running on the West Midlands Metro extension to Wolverhampton Railway Station by the end of the year after the first sections of track were laid outside the station – the final section which needs to be completed … Continue reading →

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In Preview: Blackpool Anniversary Weekend – 25th and 26th September

Posted on Friday 24 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

As we’ve reported previously the weekend of Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th September will see a special Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours event take place including the return of hop-on/hop-off tours for the first time since March 2020. There are also … Continue reading →

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More Luas Green line engineering works: 2nd and 3rd October 2021

Posted on Friday 24 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

There will be further engineering works on Dublin’s Luas Green Line over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd October 2021 with the section between St Stephen’s Green and Beechwood closed throughout.

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Picture in Time: Luas 4012

Posted on Friday 24 September 2021 by Gareth Prior

We head across the Irish Sea to Dublin for the next few editions of our modern tram themed “Picture in Time” series with the Luas system featuring.

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