In this week’s round-up: the first of 54 new DLR trains enters service as networks press ahead with renewal and maintenance, Nexus confirms a six-day closure for major track works and SYMCA details Supertram upgrades. Edinburgh Trams supports a packed October events calendar, Nottingham offers student savings, and Dublin’s MetroLink secures planning approval. Plus, Scouts back the LRSSB ‘two lines = stop’ safety campaign and the Global Light Rail Awards celebrate sector excel

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.

Trams remain one of the most effective tools for sustainable growth, regeneration and modal shift in UK cities, according to UKTram Managing Director James Hammett in a recent feature for the Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT).

South Yorkshire takes the first step towards procuring a £116m new tram fleet, Edinburgh Trams issues travel advice during a three-day partial shutdown and Luas confirms upcoming Red Line closures. London Trams joins the national ‘Two Lines = STOP’ pedestrian safety campaign and Blackpool boosts services for the rescheduled World Fireworks Championships. Other highlights include TfL’s 25th anniversary wraps, apprentices gaining behind-the-scenes insight at the West Midlands M

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. 

In this week’s light rail news round-up: sector safety leadership takes the spotlight in Sheffield, Edinburgh Trams celebrate staff milestone, NET boosts services for Goose Fair and Tyne and Wear Metro’s new trains feature on national TV. Further stories cover engineering works, 25 years of TfL with special livery and heritage celebrations at Crich and the Great Orme.

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

In this week’s light rail news round-up: Blackpool Transport boosts tram frequencies for the World Fireworks Championships and Edinburgh Trams drivers prepare to compete on the global stage. Updates preservation of the Tyne and Wear Metro’s first train, a VIP depot tour for Birmingham school pupils at West Midlands Metro and Dublin’s latest ‘Meet the Luas Manager’ session. Plus, £40m funding to progress West Yorkshire’s Mass Transit plans and Crich Tramway Village set to cele

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.

UKTram is pleased to announce a new mutual membership agreement with the Permanent Way Institution (PWI), further strengthening collaboration between the UK’s light rail sector and one of the rail industry’s most respected professional bodies. 

In this week’s light rail news round-up: the return of historic trams for Blackpool’s Lightpool festival, a first look at the new DLR trains and Edinburgh Trams’ record-breaking August. Updates also include Bee Network improvements, market engagement events for Dublin’s MetroLink and the reveal of the Global Light Rail Awards shortlist.

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

This week’s light rail new round-up features student travel deals in Nottingham, safety campaigns and zoo-themed wraps in Blackpool, funding for active travel in Greater Manchester and expansion plans for Metrolink. TfL launches new campaign to encourage headphone use, West Midlands Metro upgrades careers portal and Cardiff Crossrail publishes consultation report. Read on for heritage tramway updates, the return of a restored steam tram in Telford.

Crich Tramway Village, home of The National Tramway Museum in Derbyshire, is seeking new homes for two trams currently in its collection. Following a collections review, the Museum has taken the decision to relinquish ownership of the vehicles, with the aim of giving them the opportunity to be preserved and appreciated elsewhere.

Few people can claim to have shaped the UK’s modern light rail sector quite like Colin Robey. Over an extraordinary 60-year career, his influence has stretched from major infrastructure projec Few people can claim to have shaped the UK’s modern light rail sector quite like Colin Robey. Over an extraordinary 60-year career, his influence has stretched from major infrastructure projects to shaping industry policy, mentoring future leaders and encouraging collaboratio

This week’s light rail news includes the 45th anniversary of the Tyne and Wear Metro, a recycling milestone for the retiring fleet and policing successes in reducing anti-social behaviour. Also featured are a new safety appointment at LRSSB, the 130th anniversary of the Snaefell Mountain Tramway and summer success for Blackpool Tramway. Plus, details of an upcoming talk from transport expert Christian Wolmar, Edinburgh Trams consultation launch and a final call to enter Shutt

UKTram is proud to sponsor the Women in Transport North West Hub's 20th Anniversary Celebration, taking place on 10 September 2025, at the Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester.

Organised by UKTram in partnership with the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB), the annual Light Rail Summit is set to return on 25 September 2025 at IET Birmingham: Austin Court, bringing together sector leaders for a packed day of discussion, knowledge-sharing and networking.

This week’s light rail news includes enhanced tram services for Blackpool’s Airshow, all-night travel options for Oasis fans in Edinburgh, progress on Birmingham’s Eastside extension and ticketing upgrades from Nexus. Plus, TfGM's £1s..6bn procurement drive, Yorkshire Day celebrations with Supertram, feedback requested for DLR extension and Great North Run wristbands for passenger.

UKTram is proud to announce the renewal of its partnership with Women in Transport for a third consecutive year, reaffirming our shared commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion across the light rail sector.