Back at the end of August when an historic well was discovered by the tram tracks at Birley Lane on South Yorkshire Supertram’s Blue route it was promised that regular updates would be given and they have been true to their word with 9th October seeing the latest progress report on what is being done to resolve the issue and allow trams to return full route.
Since its discovery there have been continued investigations which have helped them to understand the old mine shaft. Despite this more work will be needed before they can confirm how long repairs will take and when tram services can safely resume.
The latest statement goes on: “We have identified a possible repair solution, which involves stabilising and filling the shaft. Before we can move ahead, we need a clearer picture of how the shaft connects to old coal workings underground. This will help us understand the full extent of the repairs needed and identify any potential environmental risks.
“Following approval from the Mining Remediation Authority, specialist surveys of the shaft have now been completed, including a drone inspection. Engineers have also installed a temporary bridge structure over the shaft, allowing the next phase of investigations to begin.
“From next week, specialist ground investigations, including borehole surveys, will take place. These will provide the detailed information needed to finalise the repair plan and understand the scale of the work required.
“We expect these investigations to be completed over the next few weeks, with repair work starting as soon as possible towards the start of November. Preparatory work is already under way, including setting up the site, carrying out environmental checks and clearing vegetation to improve access.
“The results of these investigations are critical to understanding the complexity of the repairs, how long they will take and when tram services can safely return. Until that work is complete, we cannot provide a firm timescale.”
For now Blue route trams will continue to operate from Malin Bridge to Herdings Park with a replacement bus service between Gleadless Townend and Halfway.