THIRD AREA OF SUMMER SUPERTRAM INVESTMENT STARTS ON MONDAY 12 AUGUST

Published 6 August 2024 at 9:30am

The third phase of summer Supertram investment, to future proof and extend the lifespan of the tram, will begin on Monday 12 August.

In March, South Yorkshire Supertram came back under public control after 27 years. South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is now investing around £5m this year to future proof and extend the lifespan of our tram network.

The third area of summer network improvement works, carried out by VolkerRail, are scheduled to take place from Monday 12 August and are due to be completed on Sunday 1 September.

The works, essential to ensure trams can continue to run safely, are one element of a multi-million-pound investment in the Supertram system.

Works commenced at Hollinsend, Ridgeway Road and Herdings on Saturday 3 August and will continue until Sunday 11 August before they move to Middlewood Road on Monday 12 August.

The impact of these planned works will be kept to a minimum and will only affect small sections of the tram track at a time. The majority of the Supertram network will be operating as normal throughout the works.

Speaking as the summer re-railing works began in mid-July, Melanie Corcoran, Executive Director of Transport at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), said: “The latest phase of works planned to take place during the summer are part of SYMCA’s ongoing investment in Supertram. The rerailing works are critical to extend the lifespan of one the region’s best loved modes of transport.

“By scheduling works over the school summer holidays, when we have smaller passenger numbers, we hope to minimise any passenger and traffic disruption and keep people moving while this work progresses.

“By investing in replacing the track we’re increasing the longevity of the region’s tram network and ensuring the safe operation of this popular service for generations to come.” 

The new rail will give passengers a better travel experience by improving comfort, reducing noise in areas where tracks are currently worn, and reducing the risk of unplanned closures on the network.

The works will affect trams as follows:

Area	Track affected	Routes affected	Proposed dates
Area 1	White Lane, Crystal Peaks and Waterthorpe	Blue, Purple	Saturday 20 July to Friday 2 August
Area 2	Hollinsend, Ridgeway Road (outbound) and Herdings	Blue, Purple	Saturday 3 August to Sunday 11 August
Area 3	Middlewood Road	Yellow	Monday 12 August to Sunday 1 September

Area 3: Middlewood Road

To allow the essential engineering works to take place on Middlewood Road, tram services will be subject to alteration from Monday 12 August until Sunday 1 September inclusive.

Hillsborough Park, Leppings lane and Middlewood Park & Ride tram stops will not be served during this time.

During the works, the Supertram network will run a revised timetable and services will operate as follows:

• Yellow Route tram services will run a revised route and timetable between Malin Bridge Park & Ride and Meadowhall Interchange, operating at the normal frequency
• Blue Route tram services will run as normal but with minor changes to the timetable.
• Purple Route tram services will run as normal.
• Tram Train services will run as normal.

Customers can view the revised timetables via our online Timetable Finder by Wednesday 7 August.

Dedicated tram replacement bus service 

A dedicated tram replacement bus service, YE1, will operate to help people make their journeys from Monday 12 August to Sunday 1 September inclusive. The Y1 will run between Hillsborough Interchange and Middlewood Park & Ride, and will serve limited bus stops located near all the affected tram stops along the route as follows:

• Monday to Saturday: every 20 minutes in the early morning, every 12 minutes during the day, and every 30 minutes in the evening.
• Sunday: every 20 minutes in the early morning and during the day, and every 30 minutes in the evening.

All valid tram and multi-modal tickets will be accepted for travel on the YE1 replacement bus service. Customers can buy their ticket in advance using the TSY Mobile app or from a tram conductor.

Customers can view the YE1 timetable via our online Timetable Finder by Wednesday 7 August.

Alternative bus services

There are alternative travel options through the wider South Yorkshire bus network.

Our Journey Planner will have up to date information about the changes to tram services as well as the replacement bus service to help people plan their journey during the works. It should be noted that during these works, Supertram tickets will only be accepted on the BP1 bus service.

Further information is available via a dedicated webpage.  Alternatively, customers can call Traveline on 0800 952 0002.

Details of the impact of the rail replacement works on tram and bus services will be available on our Travel South Yorkshire disruptions page.

Customers are advised to keep checking our website and social media channels for the latest information. 

Information is also available:

• on the Supertram website, and the most up to date public transport information is available on our Service Changes page or customers can plan ahead using our timetable search and Journey Planner.
• by following us on X (Twitter) @TravelSYorks and @SY_Supertram 
• via posters in our Interchanges, at affected Park & Ride sites, at tram stops, on trams and passenger information display screens.
• via an email alert to all of our customers who have subscribed to our e-newsletter
• by calling Traveline on 0800 952 0002 (weekdays between 7am and 7pm and at weekends/Bank Holidays between 8am and 7pm).