Over 350 delegates from the UK and Ireland attended the UK Light Rail Conference in Nottingham last week, marking its 20th anniversary and reflecting on two decades of progress while planning. Held under the theme 'Past. Present. Future.', this year's conference demonstrated a sector full of optimism and momentum.

One of the light rail sector's most respected and influential figures has been honoured by West Midlands Metro with the naming of a tram in memory of Geoffrey Claydon. The ceremony took place on Thursday 2nd of July at Edgbaston Village, where tram 40 was officially unveiled as 'Geoffrey Claydon CB 1930–2025' before invited guests from across the light rail and heritage tramway community.

UKTram is pleased to welcome Tony Gee & Partners as the newest member of its expanding community. Tony Gee & Partners, an owner-managed engineering consultancy, is known for delivering complex infrastructure and innovative transport projects that provide lasting value to the communities they serve.

Members of UKTram’s Light Rail Operators Committee (LROC) met on the 25th of June to discuss workforce development and share best practice for its second meeting of 2026. The session, initially scheduled at London Tram depot, was moved online due to disruptions from the recent heatwave and rail service cancellations.

UKTram joined policymakers, transport authorities, and industry leaders at the Better Transport Conference 2026 to discuss improving connections between people, places, and opportunities. Held at London South Bank University on Friday, the 19th June, the conference concluded Better Transport Week 2026, a national programme by Campaign for Better Transport promoting safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport across England and Wales.

In this week's UK and Ireland tram and light rail Round-up: West Midlands Metro reaches Dudley for the first time in almost a century, Bee Network offers free travel for Armed Forces Day, Luas prepares for Dublin Pride parade and operators issue hot weather travel advice. Plus, next phase of Supertram upgrades to take place this weekend, UKTram celebrated International Women in Engineering Day, Manx Electric Railway crew...

For the first time in its history, proceeds from ticket sales for the UKTram and LRSSB Light Rail Summit will be donated to charity, with this year's event supporting Railway Children. Taking place on 16th September at IET Birmingham: Austin Court, the Summit has become a popular fixture in the light rail calendar, where the growing light rail community comes together for a day of insight, discussion and networking.

UKTram contributed to national discussions on the future of public transport infrastructure following its speaking engagement at Public Transport Asset Management UK 2026, hosted by Global Mass Transit in London.

UKTram recently joined light rail professionals from across the world at the 82nd UITP Light Rail Committee Meeting, held in Bergen, Norway, between the 15th and 17th of June 2026. Hosted by Bybanen Bergen Light Rail, the three-day event welcomed 39 representatives from light rail organisations across Europe, Asia and South America, providing an opportunity to share expertise, explore emerging trends and discuss key challenges and opportunities facing the global light rail co

This International Women in Engineering Day, UKTram is celebrating the women helping shape the future of light rail and the wider transport sector. We invited members to nominate colleagues from across their organisations to take part in an awareness campaign to showcase the many different voices and career journeys in our industry. The response was overwhelming.

In this week's UK and Ireland tram and light rail round-up: NET to carry out lift refurbishment at Nottingham Station tram stop, Fleetwood shuttle service introduced following tram disruption, Keolis outlines vision for Luas and Edinburgh Trams gears up for Royal Highland Show. Plus, Bee Network seeks new members for accessibility advisory group, Supertram completes track renewal works at Gleadless Townend and Regent Centre Interchange set for £7.9m transformation.

UKTram has continued to support the development of the Cardiff Crossrail project by contributing light rail expertise to the scheme's ongoing hazard review process. The project, being delivered by Transport for Wales in partnership with Cardiff Council, will create a new tramway connection between Cardiff Central railway station and Cardiff Bay, forming an important part of wider plans for the South Wales Metro.