NEWS & EVENTS

Assembly’s Transport Committee supports Cross River Tram
The London Assembly Transport Committee has come out in support of the proposed Cross River Tram (CRT) development, but without the support of the Conservative Members.  Responding to the Transport for London consultation on the proposals (draft document here), the Committee praised the regenerative and congestion-relieving benefits that CRT will bring, but also raised concerns about a number of the route proposals and called for flexibility to extend the routes and link up with the proposed Oxford Street tram.  The Committee also emphasised the importance of full and continued consultation with local residents. The Committee’s response was agreed by a majority, with Conservative Members not supporting the submission (membership of Committee – 3 Conservative, 2 Labour, 2 Liberal Democrats, 1 Green and 1 One London).   2 February 2007.

Nexus launches £600m case to reinvigorate the Metro
Nexus, the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive, has presented its business plan to Ministers for £600m funding to reinvigorate the Metro system in Tyne and Wear.  The Metro Reinvigoration Outline Business Case aims to improve the operation and infrastructure of the Metro network by modernising its 59 stations and 78km of track, tunnels and power supply.   Plans include refurbishment of existing trains, purchase of new stock, replacement off ticket machines and the introduction of ticket barriers.   Representatives, including regional MPs, presented the business case to Ministers, arguing that funding is vital to the economy and environmental viability of the North East and that without the extra funding 15 million extra car journeys would be generated.  Nexus proposes inviting the private sector to come forward with bids for a nine-year operations and infrastructure concession.  It will then compare the bids with a public sector comparator.  22 January 2007.

Feasibility study commissioned for Belfast tram network
Northern Ireland’s Department for Regional Development have commissioned a feasibility study for a rapid transit network in Belfast.  WS Atkins have been employed to look into the costs, benefits and likely sources of funding for two potential routes that were included in the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan, published in 2004.  Regional development minister David Cairns said that rapid trains had been identified by his department as a key element in creating a step change in the quality of public transport in the Belfast metropolitan area.  The potential for a tram network faces stiff competition from bus options.  16 January 2007.

New TfL figures confirm green benefits of light rail
New figures published in Transport for London's Environmental Report for 2006 confirm the environmental benefits of trams and light rail.  This shows that London's trams (Croydon Tramlink) only emit 46 per cent of the CO2 per passenger km of a bus and only 85 per cent of that emitted by London Underground operations.   The full figures are (CO2 emissions in grams per passenger km in 2005/06) in reverse order: 47 for Croydon Tramlink, 55 for London Underground, 75 for Docklands Light Railway, 103 for Buses, 124 for Buses and 711 for Dial-a-Ride (Fig. 4, p 31).   The full report can be downloaded by clicking here.   16 January 2007.

Edinburgh votes for tram scheme
Edinburgh City councillors have voted overwhelmingly (56 for, one alternative motion and one absent) in favour of approving the Council's final Business Case for trams.  This report considered a phased tram network for the city to be "affordable, viable, necessary for the city and for the benefits to significantly outweigh the costs".  The business case will now be submitted to the Scottish Executive for final approval in February.  If granted, construction will begin in April with the diversion of utilities, with the scheme operational by 2010.  5 January 2007.

Track conversion
Responding to a Parliamentary Question from Bob Spink, the Conservative MP for Castle Point, the Rail Minister, Tom Harris MP, has outlined the DfT's policy towards conversion to light rail: "The Government do not have a general policy of converting main and branch line track to light rail.  In particular circumstances it may be economically sensible to convert lines to light rail as part of a locally promoted scheme (as it was in Manchester for example).  Use of lighter rail technology may offer benefits on other lines — but it is primarily for the industry, and especially Network Rail, to determine the benefits of such a change.   20 December 2006.

Light rail usage increases by 123 per cent in 10 years
Latest figures from the DfT show that in the last 10 years, the number of passenger journeys made by light rail has increased by 123 per cent from 73 million in 1995-96 to 162 million in 2005-06.  The figure was published in response to a Parliamentary Question from Lynda Waltho, Labour MP for Stourbridge.  20 December 2006.

Draft light rail scheme guidance published
The Department for Transport has published its 'Draft guidance for local authority promoters considering a light rail scheme'.  Consultation ends on 9th March 2007.  The full consultation document can be downloaded here.  14 December 2006.

Tees Valley pursues rail to LRT conversion
As reported in Transit magazine, Tees Valley Regeneration have put forward plans to the Department for Transport to use the existing rail network to create a new metro system.  All five local authorities have formally supported the scheme and if successful, it would double the number of trains that are currently run.  If approved, the new system would be operational in 10 years.  This follows closely behind Glasgow City Council who suggested last month that some of its suburban heavy rail network could be converted to a light rapid transit scheme.  24 November 2006.

TfL consults on Cross River Tram routes
Transport for London and the London Boroughs of Camden, Lambeth, Southwark, the City of London and City of Westminster have published a public consultation paper on the various route options for the proposed Cross River Tram project.  The proposed routes will link Brixton and Peckham in south London and Camden in north London, connecting with Waterloo, Euston and King's Cross/St Pancras International railway stations, enhancing a number of key regeneration projects currently under development.  It is estimated that the impact of the scheme would generate a further 78,000 jobs.   The closing date for responses is 30 January 2007 and the full consultation document can be downloaded here.  23 November 2006.

[The LRTF has welcomed the consultation document - click here for full statement].

Stagecoach and Keolis shortlisted for Metrolink
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) has invited Keolis and Stagecoach to submit a Best and Final Offer to run the existing Manchester Metrolink tram network, with current operator, Serco, having been unsuccessful.  Both companies have also been shortlisted for the Combined Operations and Tram maintenance and Infrastructure maintenance contract.  Carrillion and First Engineering have been shortlisted for the Infrastructure Maintenance contract.  The 10-year contracts run from 1 April 2007.  November 2006.

Glasgow suggests rail conversion to LRT
Glasgow City Council has suggested that some of its suburban heavy rail network could be converted to a light rapid transit scheme.   According to the council's draft local transport strategy, it says that conversion of some lines to LRT would allow more stations to be built on the routes.  It also wishes to examine re-opening disused rail lines for LRT.  October 2006.

Decision on Midland Metro delayed until 2008
The Department for Transport has said that it will not decide whether to grant conditional approval for the Midland Metro extensions until early in 2008, as Centro-PTA had been unable to find any resources from within the Regional Funding Allocation to fund the extensions.  The authorities are now seeking funding for the extensions through the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF), but the West Midlands TIF bid is not due to be submitted until July 2007, with a decision in 2008.  October 2006.

Second DLR route to Stratford given planning permission
The second Docklands Light Railway route to Stratford, taking over part of the present Silverlink Metro route between Royal Victoria and Stratford Regional, has been given plannign permission by the Department for Transport.   The new 6km extension will terminate at the northern end at Stratford International, the main interchange station for the Olympic Park in 2012.  October 2006.

Commons' TSC issues challenge on major projects
The House of Commons Transport Select Committee has expressed its "disappointment" over the Department of Transport's decision to revoke funding for some major schemes which local authorities had judged to comply with national transport strategy and priorities, and present good value for money. The Committee's report on Local Transport Planning and Funding highlights the issue of light rail, arguing that DfT delays and changes of policy added significantly to scheme costs.  It calls upon the Department to ensure that councils get the right advice at the right time to enable sensible decisions on whether to continue with a bid, publishing clear information about the budgets available for Major Schemes in order that local authorities have a better idea of their chances of success. The report goes on to point out that it can cost between five and fifteen per cent of total scheme costs just to get a scheme to a stage where appraisal can take place, calling this "both risky and wasteful".  It recommends that the National Audit Office investigate the value for money offered by the appraisal process, including the costs of preparing aborted bids. The Committee also says that it is "unacceptable" that the DfT has indicated that there will be no new central funding for major transport schemes between 2006 and 2011. Click here for report.  October 2006

Nottingham Express Transit receives entry approval
The Secretary of State for Transport, Douglas Alexander MP, has today given programme entry approval to a scheme to extend the Nottingham Express Transit (NET), with planned extensions to go to Chilwell/Beeston and Clifton, linking directly into Line One at Nottingham Station.  In a Written Statement to Parliament, the Secretary of State said: "The Nottingham tram has been a great success in encouraging people onto public transport....Subject to the scheme progressing satisfactorily to full approval, Central Government will contribute funding of up to £437 million in PFI Credits towards the cost of the extensions....Programme Entry demonstrates our support for the extensions.  Providing the necessary planning powers are granted, and that the other conditions of funding approval are satisfied, including costs are kept under control, construction of the extensions could start in 2010."  DfT press release.  25 October.

TfL consults on proposed Croydon Tramlink extension
Transport for London (TfL) is consulting the general public on the potential route options for the proposed Croydon Tramlink 3km extension to Crystal Palace.  The proposed route would link the existing Tramlink network from the Harrington Road tram stop to the Anerley and Crystal Palace areas, providing a frequent and fully accessible connection to central Croydon.  Further details can be found here.  19 October.

Nottingham tests market interest in NET
As reported in 'Local Transport Today', Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils are preparing to invite potential future operators of the Nottingham Express Transit (NET) tram concession to participate in a market testing exercise.  The move comes as the local authorities wait to hear if the DfT will give the Phase 2 extension of NET an amber light by granting the project programme entry status.  An announcement is expected in the next few weeks.  5 October 2006.

Grayling reiterates Conservative support for light rail schemes
Speaking at the Conservative Party's annual conference, Chris Grayling MP, the Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, once more outlined his party's support for light rail schemes.  In his keynote speech to the conference, Mr Grayling said: "Don't forget that it was Conservatives who backed the Manchester Metrolink.   Conservatives who backed the Croydon Tramlink.  Conservatives who built the Docklands Light Railway.   Conservatives who built the first new tube line in a generation.  Labour told us in their ten year plan that they would transform urban transport.  So I say to those who live in Liverpool, ask Labour why they cancelled Merseytram?   I say to to those who live in Leeds, ask Labour why they cancelled Supertram?  I say to the to those who live in Manchester, ask Labour why Metrolink's Rochdale line won't go into Rochdale and why the Airport line won't go to the Airport?"  2 October 2006.

Sheffield Supertram material published following FOI request
The Department for Transport has published material on proposals to extend the Sheffield Supertram following a Freedom of Information request.  This consists of a report on the extension and a note sent by the Head of the Light Rail policy branch to the Secretary of State on the extension bid.  Click here for link.  29 September 2006.

LRT Forum letter
In a recent letter published in 'Transit' magazine (1 September 2006), Mary Bonar, the Chairman of the LRT Forum, argued that "Trams can help local, regional and national government deliver a range of policy solutions, beyond tackling congestion - helping meet air quality targets, regenerate cities and tackle social exclusion."   Click here for letter.  2 September 2006.

Mayor of London sets out vision of Oxford Street tram
London's Mayor, Ken Livingstone, has set out his vision for making Oxford Street, one of the busiest shopping streets in London, pedestrian only and with a tram scheme running from end to end.  The road has been closed to ordinary traffic for some time, but 40% of London bus routes run along the street and black cabs.  Mayor Livingstone said the tram project would take up to 7 years to complete.  A report by the New West End Company, representing local retailers, the Mayor and Westminster Council looking at the options for Oxford Street is due to be published in the autumn.  31 August 2006.

Tories to spearhead tram revival
The Conservative Party has signalled its intention to put building new urban rapid transit schemes at the heart of its transport and green agenda.  David Cameron's 'Built to Last' manifesto highlights "investment in new light rail systems for cities".  The Conservatives have established a review to investigate rejected schemes, including Bristol, Leeds and Liverpool.  August 2006.

Launch of All-Party Parliamentary Group for Light Rail
A new All-Party Parliamentary Group for Light Rail has been formed to campaign for light and ultra-light rail schemes.   Quoted in 'Rail Magazine', Paul Rowen, Liberal Democrat MP for Rochdale and Chair of the group, accused the Government of blocking much-needed schemes: "Light rail schemes have an important role to play in integrated urban transport systems.   They are clean, environmentally friendly and can make a huge contribution to regeneration.  However, development of more schemes is being hampered by an inconsistent and short-termist attitude to public transport planning.  The UK needs a new approach to procurement and financing for light rail."  The full list of officers of the group are: Paul Rowen MP, Liberal Democrat (Chair); Graham Stringer MP, Labour (Vice-Chair); Stephen Hammond MP, Conservative (Treasurer); and Lee Scott MP, Conservative (Secretary).  August 2006.

Sustraco promotes new ultra-light scheme for Bristol
The Sustainable Transport Company (Sustraco) is promoting a new ultra-light metre-guage tram system in Bristol, as well as hoping to secure similiar contracts in both Leeds and Liverpool.

The primary aim is to cut costs, which will be achieved by storing hydrogen on the vehicles, which would then be able to be piped into fuel cells to power the trams.  Sustraco believe that the new hydrogen powered tram could be created at only 10% of the cost of a full-scale light rail line.  August 2006.

DLR orders new vehicles
London's Docklands Light Railway (DLR) has ordered 31 new vehicles from Bombardier at a cost of £50 million in order to cope with the 2012 Olympic Games.  The extension of the fleet to 140 cars is also a response to the growing development of North East London and the increased demand from new expansions to the line.  It is being financed out of Transport for London's (TfL) £10 billion investment programme, alongside a contribution from the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).  August 2006.

Manchester Metrolink extension announced
The Secretary of State for Transport, Rt Hon Douglas Alexander MP, has confirmed that Manchester's Metrolink tram system will double in size by initially extending to Droylsden, Rochdale and Chorlton.   The £640 million investment will make the network one of the biggest tram systems in the UK (covering nearly 60 miles) with 45 million trips expected to be made by passengers every year and taking 10 million car journeys off the road.  July 2006.

West Midlands awaits expansion of Midland Metro
The West Midlands is currently waiting for the Government's approval for the construction of £430 million worth of expansion to the Midland Metro.  If this is approved, an invitation for tenders could come in October.  The bid is for £322 million of Government funding in order to extend two lines, with trams running in early 2012.  Additional funding will be provided by local sources.  July 2006.