SUMMER SUPERTRAM INVESTMENT STARTS FROM SATURDAY 20 JULY

Published 15 July 2024 at 1:29pm

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 next phase of investment in the Supertram network is the summer rail replacement work, which will be taking place over the school holidays.

These summer network improvement works, carried out by VolkerRail, are scheduled to be undertaken from Saturday 20 July until Sunday 1 September inclusive.

The works, essential to ensure trams can continue to run safely, are one element of a multi-million-pound investment in the Supertram system and will be split into three work areas, covering different sites across the network.

The impact of the 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.

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. 

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.”

Areas affected

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

To allow the essential engineering works to take place at White Lane, Crystal Peaks and Waterthorpe, Blue and Purple Route tram services will be subject to alteration from Saturday 20 July to Friday 2 August inclusive.

Halfway, Westfield, Waterthorpe, Beighton/Drakehouse Lane, Crystal Peaks, Moss Way, Donetsk Way, Hackenthorpe, Birley Moor Road, Birley Lane and White Lane 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: 

• Blue Route tram services will run a revised route and timetable between Malin Bridge Park & Ride and Herdings Park (replacing the Purple Route services) operating at the normal frequency
• Purple Route tram services will not operate (replaced by revised Blue Route services - increasing the frequency of trams serving Herdings Park)
• Yellow Route tram services will run as normal
• Tram Train services will run as normal. 

Dedicated tram replacement bus service 

We plan to provide a dedicated tram replacement bus service, BL1, to help people make their journeys from Saturday 20 July to Friday 2 August inclusive. The BL1 is proposed to run up to every 12 minutes, Monday to Saturday and up to every 20 minutes on Sunday, between Gleadless Townend and Halfway and serve limited bus stops located near all the affected tram stops along the route. 

All valid tram and multi-modal tickets will be accepted for travel on the BL1 replacement bus service. Customers can buy their ticket in advance using the TSY Mobile app or from a tram conductor. 

Customers can view the BL1 timetable via our online Timetable Finder.

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 change to tram services as well as replacement bus services 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 BL1 bus service.

Further information is available via a dedicated webpage: travelsouthyorkshire.com/NetworkImprovements.  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 disruptions page at travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-gb/newsupdates/disruptions.

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

More information on Area 2 and 3 of the work will follow in due course.