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2026 in Focus: Light Rail momentum builds across the UK and Ireland
West Midlands Metro

Light rail stands at a pivotal moment. Renewed confidence, growing passenger demand and a strengthening project pipeline, tramways and light rail systems are positioned as a key part of the country’s future transport landscape.


Across the UK and Ireland, existing networks continue to perform strongly, supported by new fleets, capacity enhancements, operational innovation and ongoing extensions. At the same time, a growing number of cities and regions are progressing plans for new light rail, tram-train, very light rail and mass transit schemes, reflecting a wider shift towards high-capacity, low-carbon urban transport that supports growth, accessibility and economic benefits.


This momentum has been reinforced by the Government’s 2025 Budget and Spending Review, which confirmed £15.6bn of funding for local transport across England’s city regions. While funding allocations span a range of modes, light rail is set to play a central role in delivering integrated, high-quality public transport that can benefit housing, communities and regeneration at scale. For many regions, this investment provides the certainty needed to move schemes from concept and feasibility into delivery.


As of the year ending March 2025, the UK’s existing light rail networks are operated by 537 vehicles, serving 418 stops and covering a combined route length of 220.9 miles. Light rail momentum continues to build, with a strong mix of emerging proposals and longer-term mass transit plans taking shape.


Proposed and emerging schemes include:

  • Cardiff: Tram-train scheme progressing, with an on-street commitment from Transport for Wales.

  • Coventry:  Very Light Rail (VLR) demonstrator track completed, with further dual-track trials and showcasing planned.

  • West Yorkshire:  A mass transit system confirmed to include sections of tramway / light rail.

  • Stoke–Leek (Tram-train), Oswestry–Gobowen (VLR) and Sheffield–Stocksbridge (Tram-train): schemes under consideration.

  • Cork: Plans in development for a tramway system inspired by the Dublin Luas model.

  • West of England: Mass transit options under review, with a focus on ground-level modes including the Gloucester Road scheme within the WECA Transport Plan.

  • Wisbech–March and Cirencester–Kemble: VLR proposals progressing.

  • Cambridge: Light rail system proposals backed by local enterprise.

 

Network updates across the British Isles

Alongside future proposals, existing tramways and light rail systems continue to evolve, invest and expand.

  • Blackpool Tramway: Extension to North Station opened and tram-train options for the Fylde Coast under consideration.

  • SPT (Glasgow Subway): New fleet introduction and Clyde Metro options being reviewed.

  • Tyne & Wear Metro:  New fleet entering service, expanded capacity, Metro Flow and potential extensions under review.

  • Docklands Light Railway (DLR): New fleet programme and planned extension from Beckton towards Thamesmead.

  • Manchester Metrolink:  Tram-train options currently being explored and fleet renewal options part of these plans.

  • Sheffield Supertram: Further tram-train extensions under consideration, with renewals commitment to enhance and improve the network and services.

  • West Midlands Metro:  Continued network expansion, with funding secured for the Wednesbury–Brierley Hill extension.

  • London Tramlink:  New fleet programme progressing, including depot and power supply upgrades.

  • Nottingham Tramlink:  East Midlands devolution opening up new extension opportunities.

  • Luas Dublin: New fleet plans on the horizon and Luas Finglas extension approved.

  • Stourbridge Shuttle (PreMetro): New fleet proposals and plans for a Brierley Hill extension linking with Midland Metro.

  • Edinburgh Trams: Successful opening to Newhaven, with further extensions now being planned.


The current light rail landscape is characterised by both progress and ambition. New tram fleets are entering service or being procured, digital systems and safety technologies are evolving, and workforce development remains a priority across the sector. Alongside this, emerging approaches such as tram-train, very light rail and lower-cost delivery models are broadening the range of solutions available to cities that may previously have struggled to bring forward fixed-route transit.


Looking ahead, the pipeline for 2026 and beyond reflects a sector that is no longer asking if light rail should be part of the solution, but how it can be delivered effectively, affordably and at pace.


UKTram will continue to support this progress by bringing the sector together, sharing best practice and championing the role of light rail as a natural choice for growing cities.


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