Supertram Network to Return to Normal

15th September 2014

2014 rail replacement work complete Work to repair Park Square hole allows services to resume Sheffield Supertram is to resume a normal service across the network from tomorrow (Saturday 13 September) following the completion of work to replace large sections of track and repair a hole near the tram system.

Trams will return between Sheffield City Centre, Middlewood and Malin Bridge from first thing on Saturday on following completion of this year's major rail replacement works by VolkerRail to protect the long-term future of the city's tram tracks. Separately, structural engineers from Amey working on behalf of Supertram, SYPTE and Sheffield City Council have now also finished the necessary work to allow tram services to resume between Sheffield Station and the city centre following the discovery of a hole in the ground near the track at Park Square which caused services to be temporarily suspended through the area as a safety precaution. As a result, services across the Supertram network are able to return to normal. Essential rail replacement work this summer has seen 4,000 metres of track replaced in the Hillsborough, Malin Bridge, Gleadless, Halfway, Woodburn Road, Fitzalan Square, West Street and Netherthorpe areas. The works were completed on schedule and utilised new methods and equipment developed during last year's works. Work this year formed the second phase of a £32million project to replace 22km of the tram route by 2024. Sheffield City Region Transport Committee Vice-Chair, Cllr Leigh Bramall, said: -The tram is a fantastic asset to South Yorkshire and these essential works will ensure that it continues to run smoothly for a long time to come. We thank customers for their patience, and we are confident that the remainder of the rail replacement project can continue to be delivered with minimal disruption to passengers. Supertram Managing Director Margaret Kay said: -It's great news for passengers that this phase of these important rail replacement works has been completed on time. We look forward to returning tram services to normal and would like to thank our customers for their understanding during the project so far. -We know that the recent groundworks issue at Park Square has also had an impact on some of our passengers over the past couple of weeks and again, we are grateful for their patience and glad that the necessary work has now been completed to ensure we can resume services in the area. The 2014 rail replacement work was undertaken by contractor VolkerRail. John Davison, VolkerRail Senior Project Manager, said: -We are delighted to have completed this year's rail replacement works on time and would like to thank all stakeholders for their invaluable contribution to the smooth delivery of these works. -I would particularly like to thank the residents and businesses along the route for their patience and forbearance during these essential works. The rail replacement project is being funded by tram network owner South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) and system operator Stagecoach Supertram. A £5 million grant was provided by the Department for Transport for the initial phase of the project, which saw almost 5,000 metres of rail replaced between Spring Lane and Park Grange Croft tram stops. A third phase of works will begin in Spring 2015 to replace the rail around the Infirmary Road, Cathedral and City Road areas of Sheffield.