We’re all used to the dreaded term “overrunning engineering works” and its not very often you hear “underrunning engineering works” but that is what we’re set to see in Sheffield with the major works at the delta junction due to be completed a few days earlier than planned! It is hoped that this will allow a normal tram service to resume in time for the Bank Holiday weekend (originally they weren’t due to finish until Monday 31st August).
As we’ve reported extensively over the past couple of weeks, works got underway on Saturday 8th August, a major project to replace track, points, signaling equipment and crossings around the Park Square delta junction (which is used by 440 trams a day lest we forget) has been taking place as part of the continued investment in improving and maintaining the South Yorkshire Supertram network. At the same time more rail replacement has taken place near Hyde Park as the tramway crosses Bernard Road.
With the team working around the clock good progress has been made and as a result they now expect the works to completed on Thursday 27th August. This should lead to the full network reopening from midday on 27th August with a full service set to resume by the afternoon.
Melanie Corcoran, Executive Director at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “Our multi-million-pound investment is creating a more reliable network for all of us who depend on Supertram every day. The investment is essential if we’re going to build a tram network that is fit for the future and will serve us well in the next 30 years.
“We know carrying out this work has meant some disruption during the school holidays. We’re grateful for everyone’s understanding while it’s completed – and we’re pleased the works are now expected to finish before the Bank Holiday weekend.
“Supertram is at the heart of the South Yorkshire People’s Network that we’re building together – creating a public transport system that is more reliable, better connected and makes it easier for everyone to get to work, education and opportunities.”
Ahead of the resumption of services there will be additional service changes from around 2100 until the end of service on Monday 24th August. This will see no trams running between Shalesmoor and Gleadless Townend/Herdings Park and Woodbourn Road. Replacement bus services will operate.
At this time trams will run:
- Malin Bridge to Shalesmoor
- Middlewood to Shalesmoor
- Woodbourn Road to Meadowhall
- Woodbourn Road to Rotherham Parkgate
- Gleadless Townend to Halfway
These extra changes are needed to allow the early completion of the works and the current temporary arrangements will be back from the start of service on Tuesday 25th August until the full services resumes from midday on Thursday 27th August.