UKTram was pleased to see light rail firmly represented at the recent Politics in Rail: West Midlands Question Time event, hosted by Young Rail Professionals (YRP) at WSP’s offices in Birmingham. The panel discussion brought together senior rail leaders to examine how politics and policy affect investment, delivery, and long-term network development in the West Midlands. 

On Tuesday 31st March, UKTram will bring together members of the Light Rail Engineering Group (LREG) and the supply trade for an online Trade & Trams session focused on shared learning, engineering insight and practical experience from across the light rail sector.

In the final light rail round-up of January 2026: Blackpool Transport takes tram safety messages into local schools, Transport for London sets out plans for tram fleet replacement and DLR extensions and West Yorkshire launches consultation on aligning Mass Transit with future development. Plus, international collaboration on major event readiness at DLR, funding secured to restart Heaton Park Tramway, student travel offers and service updates from NET, heritage investment and

Young Rail Professionals West Midlands will host a Question Time–style panel discussion in February, exploring the role of politics, policy and regional decision-making in shaping the future of rail across the West Midlands. 

In this week’s UK and Ireland light rail news round-up: Keolis Nottingham to attend Nottingham Jobs Fair with tram roles available, Luas confirms St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday service arrangements and Salford transport plans aim to improve tram integration and interchange. Plus, Tyne and Wear Metro line major renewal work, Colas Rail UK secures Light Rail contract awards as part Midland Metro Alliance and Edinburgh Trams highlights another record-breaking year in 2025.

The UK rail industry will come together at UK Rail on the 13th and 14th of May 2026, when the sector-wide event returns to NEC Birmingham. The two-day event will provide a national platform to bring together leaders from across rail projects, operators, rolling stock manufacturers, suppliers and innovators.

UKTram played an active role at the RIA (Railway Industry Association) Light Rail Member Interest Group yesterday (Monday 24 November), where industry leaders and supply chain partners came together at Arup’s Birmingham office to discuss the growing opportunities within the UK’s evolving light rail landscape. The session, kindly hosted by Arup, brought a cross-section of organisations focused on the future of tramways and wider guided transport. 

UKTram has reinforced its commitment to cross-sector learning and technical knowledge, with UKTram's Lead Engineer, Phill Terry, attending two specialist events hosted by the Permanent Way Institution (PWI).

hospital patients and staff,Customer satisfaction with NET Nottingham Trams rises to 85%, Blackpool Transport announces festive plans, Lioness Ella Toone voices tram announcements across Manchester’s Bee Network. Plus, Mainspring UK Light Rail Conference confirmed for 2026 and heritage Returning to its roots at Nottingham Trent University from 30th June to 1st July 2026, the milestone event promises two days of presentations and networking with leading figures from across th

UKTram Board Member Lindsay Murphy represented the organisation at TransCityRail North 2025 in Manchester last week, joining transport professionals to discuss the role of light rail and mass transit in shaping the North’s transport future.

UKTram Managing Director, James Hammett, recently attended the 2025 Urban Tram Forum (UTF) annual meeting, held in Amsterdam from 22nd to the 24th October and hosted by GVB (Gemeente Gemeentevervoerbedrijf - The Municipal Public Transport Operator for Amsterdam). 

Representatives from across the light rail sector gathered in Leeds this week for the Focus on Light Rail event, jointly hosted by Rail Forum and the UKTram, to explore opportunities and challenges across the evolving public transport landscape.

UKTram’s Operations Manager, Steve Duckering, represented the UK’s light rail sector at the 81st UITP Light Rail Committee Meeting in Toronto from 27th to 29th October 2025, joining global leaders to exchange innovation and operational insights.

UKTram Managing Director, James Hammett, joined industry leaders at the Rail Forum Annual Conference 2025 on the 9th of October, held at Doncaster Racecourse. This year’s theme, “Unleashing the Value of UK Rail”, brought together voices from across the sector to explore the future of integrated transport and innovation.

Building on discussions from the most recent Centre of Excellence (CoE) meeting, UKTram has further strengthened engagement with the British Standards Institution (BSI) by attending the Innovation Management Summit 2025, held on Wednesday 8th October at London’s Science Museum.

The 2025 Global Light Rail Awards took place in London this week, bringing together operators, suppliers, and industry leaders from around the world to celebrate excellence and innovation in the sector.

More than 120 industry professionals came together in Birmingham yesterday for the sold-out UKTram & LRSSB Light Rail Summit, an annual event packed with sector insights and forward-looking discussion. 

On Wednesday 10th September, UKTram visited the Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester for the Women in Transport Northwest hub 20th Anniversary celebrations. 

UKTram Lead Engineer, Phill Terry, represented the organisation at the Permanent Way Institution (PWI) and joined the online Technical Board meeting on 10 September 2025. This was following a technical visit to Cemex Rail Solutions and their sleeper manufacturing facility near Rochester.

The shortlist for the Global Light Rail Awards 2025 has been announced, recognising innovation, dedication and the many achievements driving the sector forward.