The legacy of Geoffrey Claydon, who passed away in 2025, has been recognised by the West Midlands Metro who have named one of their trams after him in a special ceremony held at Edgbaston Village tramstop on 2nd July 2026.
Birmingham born Geoffrey played a pivotal role in bringing trams back to many UK cities having drafted the visionary Transport and Works Act of 1992. This removed a series of bureaucratic hurdles buried in century-old legislation, making it easier to gain approvals for new routes. He was also an early member of the Tramway Museum Society where he was Secretary for a number of years and also served as President. Geoffrey also served as Chairman, President and Patron of the LRTA.
Richard Parker, Mayor of West Midlands, said: “Without Geoffrey’s crucial work on the Transport and Works Act, this tram – or indeed the whole tram network – may never have existed.
“His influence goes way beyond legislation. He was a lifelong champion of light rail and tramway heritage. He is a true giant of this industry, and it’s only fitting that one of our trams bears his name.”
Urbos100 48 was chosen for the naming and after the ceremony at Edgbaston Village the tram took invited guests to Millennium Point before they retired to The Woodman for a reception. The tram now carries the name Geoffrey Claydon CB.
This becomes the seventh West Midlands Metro tram to currently carry a name. Others who have been honoured include Jasper Carrott, Cyrille Regis, Ozzy Osbourne and Steven Knight.
The Geoffrey Claydon CB name on 48. (Photograph by Andy Walters, 7th July 2026)
There are, actually, eight named trams:
28 Jasper Carrott
31 Cyrille Regis OBE
37 Ozzy Osbourne
39 Don & Roy Richardson
40 Theresa Stewart
48 Geoffrey Claydon CB
56 Amman Ahmed
58 Steven Knight
35 Angus Adams named while in original livery
by HM Queen at Bull st
Name never reaplyed when it received Blue wrap ?
Unofficial names carried
43 Lorna 23 02 23
21 Ernie
38 Queens Elizabeth II 12 09 22
47 King Charles III 06 06 23