AFTER OVERCOMING MANY CHALLENGES THE UK PILOT IS EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS, AS TONY MILES REPORTS
LIGHT RAIL FOCUS
For some time, it seemed the Sheffield tram-train would never quite become a reality.
On 25 October last year it finally did, with the launch of services over the Supertram network from Sheffield and onto Network Rail infrastructure to a terminus at Rotherham Parkgate.
After the idea of a bi-mode pilot on the Penistone line between Sheffield and Huddersfield was dropped, the key aim was seen as demonstrating it would be possible to link light and heavy rail, with the Rotherham route chosen at least partly because of the close proximity of both networks east of Meadowhall. The new route would also meet local political aspirations of linking Rotherham into the Supertram network at a much more modest cost than an on-street link, which had been ruled out as too costly.
Stagecoach Supertram Managing Director Tim Bilby notes: ‘The tram-train project has come in well below the cost of the on-street option. It also avoided all the disruption construction would have caused and if you had the option of segregating trams and road traffic, you’d take it. Otherwise you’re only as fast as the slowest road v…
