MAYOR HAILS SUPERTRAM IMPROVEMENTS ON TIME AND TO BUDGET

Published 3 September 2024 at 10:13am

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, has hailed the completion of summer tram improvement works that have been delivered on time and to budget.

Since Supertram was taken back under public control in March, after 27 years, the Mayor has overseen an ambitious improvement plan across the network, with £23m invested this financial year and a total of £33m currently earmarked.

A key part of this investment to improve the network took place this summer, helping to future proof and extend the lifespan of our tram network.

The works, which spanned from Saturday 20 July until Sunday 1 September, were essential to ensure trams could continue to run safely and critical to extend the lifespan of the Supertram network.

The improvements mean a better travel experience for passengers with improved comfort, reduced noise and the risk of unplanned closures on the network reduced.

The work undertaken this summer included:

• 1km of embedded track replaced  

• 461m of ballasted track replaced

• All scrap rail sent to a local scrap yard in Rotherham for processing before going to British Steel in Scunthorpe for recycling

• 24-hour working where possible to ensure the duration of closures for passengers was kept to a minimum

• Using British Steel for ballasted rail

• Completed on budget and on time by 1 September 

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “After 27 years South Yorkshire’s Supertram came back under public control in March. 

“Now, we are making huge strides in our journey back to a public transport system that puts people first, connects our communities and helps us to build a bigger and better economy in South Yorkshire.

“The investments into Supertram we made over the summer are a huge part of that journey, helping us to create a safe, reliable network that people will be able to use and enjoy for generations to come. 

“But this is just the start of our journey to a truly integrated transport network that connects all our communities to the huge opportunities that exist right across South Yorkshire.”

The summer rail replacement works were undertaken by VolkerRail, a specialist railway infrastructure company based in Doncaster.

During the improvement works, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) used local expertise wherever possible, which included working with other businesses in the region. 

Sam Allen, General Manager for VolkerRail, said: “We want to thank the local community for their understanding and their support throughout the summer rail replacement works. Our team worked around the clock to bring disruption for passengers to a minimum, and worked hard to ensure the project was completed on time and to budget.

“We used local suppliers as much as possible, including British Steel Scunthorpe for new rail for all ballasted sites, and a local scrap yard in Rotherham for processing scrap rail before returning to British Steel.”

Melanie Corcoran, Executive Director of Public Transport at SYMCA, said: “The work this summer has been critical to extend the lifespan of one of the region’s best loved modes of transport. 

“We have worked hard to make the most of the time the tramway has been closed to minimise any disruption and keep people moving. 

“It has been a summer of investment to increase the longevity of the region’s tram network and ensure the safe operation of this popular service for generations to come.”