British Government launches light rail consultation

[squizzler]

Perhaps we are on the cusp of a second wave of light rail?

From International Rail Journal

“This is a great time to explore the incredible potential for light rail schemes across the country,” says transport minister Mr Jesse Norman. “Today’s wide-ranging call for evidence seeks new ideas and new support for the next generation of light rail, so that we make existing systems work better, and can work with cities and towns across the UK to create new ones.”

Click through for the government's Call for Evidence (pdf).

 

[gazthomas]

I hope so, but a government wanting to invest in infrastructure? I'll eat my hat when it happens. Must buy a hat too

 

[6Gman]

Perhaps we are on the cusp of a second wave of light rail?

From International Rail Journal



Click through for the government's Call for Evidence (pdf).

Or perhaps we are not.

Just another consultation ... to be followed by consultants, studies, further working-up of schemes, more consultants ... and - maybe, just maybe - one scheme in ten might get somewhere.

 

[squizzler]

Or perhaps we are not.

I suppose the likelihood of it going forward just depends how much of a "can-do" attitude the industry and all its various hangers-on are willing to bring to the table.

 

[yorksrob]

I'm all for light rail for new ground.

As long as it's not just a cheapo way of renewing existing railways that the Government thinks are too expensive.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm all for light rail for new ground.

As long as it's not just a cheapo way of renewing existing railways that the Government thinks are too expensive.

Personally, I think it has some merits in that regard, and there are a number of self-contained branch lines which may well merit investigation for conversion to light rail in order to reduce operating costs while increasing frequencies. St Albans was proposed for this, and I still think it's a good idea for that kind of branch. I even think a version of it could have merit on things like the Conwy Valley, while if Windermere isn't going to get the hourly through service I think it needs, another option would be to convert it to tram and run it on down the road to Bowness.

I'll start a thread in Speculative Ideas shortly to go with that to discuss these kinds of ideas further, will post the link here once I've done it.

Edit: here it is:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-improve-service-on-some-branch-lines.177924/

 

[yorksrob]

Personally, I think it has some merits in that regard, and there are a number of self-contained branch lines which may well merit investigation for conversion to light rail in order to reduce operating costs while increasing frequencies. St Albans was proposed for this, and I still think it's a good idea for that kind of branch. I even think a version of it could have merit on things like the Conwy Valley, while if Windermere isn't going to get the hourly through service I think it needs, another option would be to convert it to tram and run it on down the road to Bowness.

I'll start a thread in Speculative Ideas shortly to go with that to discuss these kinds of ideas further, will post the link here once I've done it.

Edit: here it is:
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-improve-service-on-some-branch-lines.177924/

Each to their own I suppose !

 

[whhistle]

We could do with more light rail, even if it means reducing the number of buses around.
The problem is where it needs to run too is tight on space.
Or is being developed into retail/flats/office space.

There was a prime location for a tram depot near where I lived.
Granted, access would have been from one side only but it was on the sight of a former railway station with a large area that had been redeveloped nearby. The route out of the city wasn't too full - it was asking for a tram system! But no. Offices, flats, retail.

 

[furnessvale]

I'm all for light rail for new ground.

As long as it's not just a cheapo way of renewing existing railways that the Government thinks are too expensive.

Could this be a reaction to the Northern dispute?

 

[yorksrob]

Could this be a reaction to the Northern dispute?

That is my worry.

That we end up making precipitous decisions on infrastructute based on the industrial dispute, rather than what's best for the route.

It's rather like TFGM wanting to turn a route into a tram so that it will have more control over it, rather than it being the best outcome for the route (cough Atherton cough).

 

[si404]

It's a little bit like putting pacers on lines to keep them open. And electrification doesn't have to happen - there's diesel tram-trains out there.

 

[Doctor Fegg]

I hope so, but a government wanting to invest in infrastructure? I'll eat my hat when it happens. Must buy a hat too

Jesse Norman is actually fairly switched-on as transport ministers go (and very switched-on by the standards of the current Government). It's just not clear that he has any ability to sway money away from Grayling's twin fascinations of Moar Roads and ferry companies which don't have any ferries.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Could this be a reaction to the Northern dispute?

I can certainly see a push to more Metrolinking in Manchester, which curiously will deliver DOO on the lines where it was realistic that there might be DOO (without OBS) had the strikes not stopped it.

 

[Robertj21a]

I can certainly see a push to more Metrolinking in Manchester, which curiously will deliver DOO on the lines where it was realistic that there might be DOO (without OBS) had the strikes not stopped it.

Personally, I'd be very happy to see a significant increase in the Metrolink network - also the Sheffield and Croydon networks. At least Birmingham is slowly moving forward with more light rail. It's just taking far too long.

 

[Elecman]

Could this be a reaction to the Northern dispute?

My thoughts entirely given the sudden timing of the announcement. Let’s hope the Northern Guards in Manchester and other Northern cities other areas havent shot themselves in the foot.

 

[Carlisle]

Could this be a reaction to the Northern dispute?

I seriously doubt it, if govt were that concerned about DOO it’d have been much simpler, cheaper and quicker for them to just stand firm against the unions whilst making it clear they’d eventually introduce new legislation if they refused all offers of compromise

 

[Bletchleyite]

My thoughts entirely given the sudden timing of the announcement. Let’s hope the Northern Guards in Manchester and other Northern cities other areas havent shot themselves in the foot.

I doubt they realistically have, as they are hardly going to run Metrolink to Barrow, say. There are only a small set of lines to convert in Greater Manchester, which would release a number of guards which would be easily done by way of natural attrition.

 

[w1bbl3]

Could this be a reaction to the Northern dispute?

I'd say its more a response to poor air quality along major transport routes into towns and cities and if light rail, ultra light rail or mobility as a service is a viable solution. It's noticeable that whilst various alternatives that are not light rail are mentioned bus rapid transit isn't. Considering the planning window for new light rail is 10 (ish) years and the kind of new services that have emerged over the last decade and look likely to emerge in the next 10, asking the question is light rail the solution for medium density metro routes seems apt.

 

[Gerald Fiennes]

There may, of course, be a general election in the next few months.

 

[edwin_m]

Like the announcements on Colne-Skipton and Ashington this could be just a case of making encouraging noises, get everyone enthusiastic, and when eventually the councils have spent their money making a business case it turns out DfT has no funding available.

 

[Jorge Da Silva]

Isn’t Nottingham looking at expansion to Derby, East Midlands Airport and to other places around the city?
I also know Tyne and Wear Metro is looking at expansion as part of the call for evidence.

Any other cities or towns that might be joining

 

[dosxuk]

Sheffield has been wanting to extend for decades, but every time they come up with a plan, the government tell them "if you want it, you pay for it".

 

[Bletchleyite]

Sheffield has been wanting to extend for decades, but every time they come up with a plan, the government tell them "if you want it, you pay for it".

Expect this to come to a head soon - the system needs a mid-life refurb, and the City Council are already shouting about possible closure to try to get funding.

 

[bussnapperwm]

Personally, I'd be very happy to see a significant increase in the Metrolink network - also the Sheffield and Croydon networks. At least Birmingham is slowly moving forward with more light rail. It's just taking far too long.

And significantly over budget.

I'm surprised TfWM haven't introduced a "Meteo Levy"for the Dudley extension to businesses and residents...

 

[Ianno87]

Expect this to come to a head soon - the system needs a mid-life refurb, and the City Council are already shouting about possible closure to try to get funding.

Has Sheffield seen any significant track renewals at any point in its life so far, in the way that Manchester and Croydon have?

 

[edwin_m]

Has Sheffield seen any significant track renewals at any point in its life so far, in the way that Manchester and Croydon have?

Yes, quite a lot of street track has been replaced. However there will be a significant cost in the next few years to replace the trams, which are now 25 years old.

 

[button_boxer]

Has Sheffield seen any significant track renewals at any point in its life so far, in the way that Manchester and Croydon have?

Yes, big works for months at a time over the last few summers and again this year (starting next Friday), with routes truncated and partial bus replacements.

 

[duffield]

There may, of course, be a general election in the next few months.

In fact, it looks like so much is going to change politically (new PM, new cabinet, probable election due to lack of majority, possible further splits in Labour/Conservative party, new Change UK party, possible second referendum etc. etc.) in the next 6-12 months that any consultation like this is probably as meaningful as my plan to bulldoze the Victoria shopping centre to allow Nottingham Victoria to be rebuilt.

 

[edwin_m]

I'd say the can is not only being kicked down the road, but into the long grass as well.