Light rail and trams

Metrolink told to publish performance figures after communication mishaps

07 March 2018Manchester Metrolink is to publish a monthly report into its performance, as part of a new drive to improve the passenger experience. The report will publish statistics on the Metrolink’s performance, including punctuality and cancellations...

First piece of track laid on Metrolink’s £350m Trafford Park extension

02 February 2018The first piece of track was laid at Parkway Circle today as part of the extension of Manchester’s Metrolink to Trafford Park.  The event, which marked a major milestone in the £350m scheme, was witnessed by Mayor of Greater Manc...

GM Metrolink services get capacity boost and updated tram map

24 January 2018Metrolink service changes are set for launch next week, with the operator expanding routes and unveiling a new and improved tram map. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says the changes are set to increase capacity on most services from 28 J...

Next phase of £150m Wolverhampton tram extension to move forward in March

18 January 2018The next phase of Wolverhampton’s £150m tram extension will kick off in March, it was revealed today. In a statement, the Midland Metro Alliance, which operates the light rail network on behalf of the West Midlands Combined Authority...

Nottingham tram operator records losses of £48m following network expansion

17 January 2018The operator of Nottingham’s tram network has recorded huge losses that grew from £15m to £48.5m in the year to 31 March 2017. In accounts released today by Tramlink Nottingham, it was found that the company recorded the loss de...

Contractor selected to deliver £25m Preston tramline

12 January 2018A project to bring tram services back to Preston has taken a major step forward today with the appointments of the contractors who will deliver the project. The £25m scheme, run by Preston Trampower, will involve building a 3.5-mile-long li...

Original Midlands Metro tram fleet to be auctioned off

04 December 2017The original fleet of Midlands Metro trains is to be auctioned off. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM), part of the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) will sell of its Amsaldo T69 trams, which were taken out of service back in 2014. The tra...

Blackpool Tramway extension: What's in store

24 November 2017Cllr Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council, outlines the proposals for the extension to the existing tramway from North Pier to Blackpool North railway station. Blackpool is undergoing major regeneration between 2017 and 2019, with...

Metrolink: 25 years and counting

02 November 2017Danny Vaughan, head of Metrolink at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), celebrates the network’s 25-year anniversary, which comes packed with expansion promises to further improve connections in the region. In Metrolink’s Silver...

Contractors invited to tender for £165m Edinburgh tram extension

30 October 2017Edinburgh City Council has started its search for contractors to deliver the city’s major tram extension. Tendering has begun on the project, which has been divided into two lots: lot 1 - the infrastructure and systems contract, and lot 2...

Nexus to lead north east bid for 5G connectivity testbed

26 September 2017Transport authorities in the north east have today voiced their ambition to set up a national testbed for 5G connectivity in the region. In a bid to establish the area as a leader for 5G in England, the North East Combined Authority (NECA), the N...

Delayed Sheffield tram-train starts services on light rail network

15 September 2017The delay-hit tram-train project has finally reached an important landmark as it launched its first passenger service yesterday. Rail minister Paul Maynard was in attendance with transport leaders from across Sheffield to introduce the first trai...

Tram-train: where did we go wrong?

14 September 2017Andrew Braddock, chairman of the Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA), argues against the ‘not invented here’ syndrome that has kept the UK from implementing a tram-train scheme quickly and successfully.

Lack of communication main reason key Leeds transport projects failed

13 September 2017A lack of communication with vital partners and the public was a key reason for the failure of Leeds’ New Generation Transport and Supertram projects, a report has this week revealed. Publishing its draft report, the council’s infrast...

Iconic Birmingham statue makes way for start of tram expansion project

06 September 2017The Midland Metro tram expansion has taken a key step forward as one of Birmingham’s iconic landmarks, the Iron: Man, was lifted out of Victoria Square to make way for construction. Two cranes were used to raise the six-tonne metal sculptur...