The latest set of trackworks on the South Yorkshire Supertram network commenced on Saturday 24th October 2026. These works are taking place in two locations affecting the Blue and Yellow routes – Shalesmoor and close to Hillsborough Interchange on Langsett Road. Stuart Cooke went out to see what was happening on the first day of the work.
The work is part of the SYMCA’s commitment to invest £110 million into the Supertram network by 2027 and involves the replacement of rails, switches and crossings close to Hillsborough Interchange, and the replacement of worn rails to the Hillsborough side of Shalesmoor tramstop.
The work is due to continue until Saturday 31st October, with tram services resuming as normal (or as normal as they can at the moment with the Birley Lane mine shaft closing the Blue route to Halfway).
During the next week services will run:
- Blue – Shalesmoor to Herdings Park
- Yellow – Cathedral to Meadowhall (except for Sunday 25th October when services ran Shalesmoor to Meadowhall)
- Purple – remains suspended and replaced by the Blue route
- Tram-Train – normal service of two services an hour between Cathedral and Rotherham Parkgate
This photo looks towards Shalesmoor stop on Infirmary Road. The citybound track is being attended to with the start of work to remove the current tracks.
Looking away from Shalesmoor at the compound where the contractors are working on the track.
Trams continue to run as far as Shalesmoor on the Blue route. Here we see 119 shortly after its arrival. Note on the far side that there are stop closed signs with all arrivals and departures at the normal outbound platform.
Work underway opposite Hillsborough Interchange with lots of mud!
Another view at Hillsborough. (All Photographs by Stuart Cooke, 24th October 2026)