UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail News | Network improvements and passenger priorities | 28th August 2026
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In the UK and Ireland tram and light rail news this week: new operational facilities support the expansion of West Midlands Metro and major renewal programmes reach milestones on Supertram and the Tyne and Wear Metro. Edinburgh prepares to restore its full tram route and Luas Finglas achieves an Ireland-first sustainability rating. Plus, passengers are invited to help shape Supertram’s new fleet, operators focus on safer and more inclusive networks and heritage tramways move towards their autumn programmes.
West Midlands Metro has opened a new Operational Control Centre at its Wednesbury depot, supporting the network’s continued expansion.
The facility provides teams with improved technology and real-time information to monitor services and respond to incidents.
A new data wall offers greater visibility across the tram network and surrounding areas. Heat mapping and video analytics will help staff identify emerging issues and deploy resources more quickly.
KeolisAmey Luas has announced four executive appointments ahead of taking responsibility for operating and maintaining Dublin’s light rail network on 1st September. Sandrine Jardin joins as Financial Director, while Dave Rooney becomes Operations Director, drawing on more than 20 years of rail and public transport experience.
Matt Stacey has been appointed Customer Director, bringing experience in frontline operations and asset management. Dervla Brophy joins as Communications Director, with a background spanning public transport communications, public affairs and organisational change.
The Green Line reopened as planned on Monday 24th August following a nine-day closure between South Gosforth and Airport. The programme allowed Nexus to complete track, station and overhead line improvements across the route.
Work included removing the large canopy over Regent Centre Interchange as part of its refurbishment and renewing track at Ponteland Road bridge. Five stations also received upgrades, while components were replaced along 1.2km of overhead line.
West Midlands Metro passengers will need to purchase tickets before boarding from 13th September, when conductors are withdrawn from tram services. Customers travelling without a valid ticket or pass could receive a penalty fare once the new arrangements take effect.
Additional ticket machines have been installed at every stop, while fares can also be purchased through the MyMetro app. Metro colleagues will be present across the network in the coming weeks to explain the changes and help passengers become familiar with the new system.
Work to renew Supertram’s Delta junction at Park Square is expected to finish earlier than planned, allowing the full network to reopen for the Bank Holiday weekend. Services are due to begin using the new trackwork from midday on Thursday 27th August, with normal operations resuming during the afternoon.
The £3.5 million project includes new track, points and signalling equipment at the junction, which carries more than 440 trams each day. It forms part of a £110 million programme to improve the network’s long-term reliability.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has launched a public engagement exercise to understand passengers’ priorities for the current Supertram network and its planned new fleet.
Feedback will help shape the future customer experience, including accessibility, onboard comfort and passenger information. Customers, local communities and stakeholders can share their views through the South Yorkshire People’s Network until 18th September, helping to inform how Supertram develops as part of the region’s future public transport system.
Strathclyde Partnership for Transport welcomed the Women in Transport Scotland Hub to its Glasgow office for a discussion on women’s safety across Scotland’s transport network.
Representatives from the transport sector, policy and industry shared experiences and considered practical action to make journeys safer and more inclusive. The session provided an opportunity to examine the challenges women face when using and working across Scotland’s transport systems.
KeolisAmey Metrolink’s Head of Rolling Stock Delivery, Michael Todd, will deliver a technical lecture at Manchester Metropolitan University on 8th September. The IMechE Railway Division North Western Centre is hosting the event.
The session will examine the engineering and maintenance of Metrolink’s 147-vehicle M5000 fleet, which supports more than 45 million passenger journeys annually. Topics will include fleet reliability, depot operations, maintenance planning and operational readiness during major disruption. The free lecture runs from 6.15pm to 7.45pm.
Plans for 70 to 80 new apartments have been revealed as part of the Bury Interchange redevelopment. TfGM is seeking a partner to fund and operate the proposed residential scheme, which would support regeneration plans for the town centre.
The first phase is expected to begin later this year and include a new pedestrian bridge providing access to the Metrolink stop, along with improvements to the tram platform. Subject to funding approval, the full redevelopment could begin in 2028.
Edinburgh Trams will operate additional services for Bon Jovi’s concert at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium on Friday 28th August. Doors open at 5 pm, with high passenger numbers expected during the city’s busy festival season.
Due to the Princes Street closure, trams are currently running between Edinburgh Airport and West End only. Concertgoers are advised to plan ahead, with West End around a 15 to 20-minute walk from the stadium. Ingliston Park & Ride offers free parking for those travelling into Edinburgh.
Tram services between Edinburgh Airport and Newhaven are scheduled to resume on Saturday 29th August, subject to final testing, as Princes Street reopens. Lothian Buses diversions are also expected to be lifted.
Passengers are advised to check the latest information through operator websites, the Bus & Tram app and social media while services are reinstated. The planned reopening follows a period of disruption during which trams operated only between Edinburgh Airport and West End. Edinburgh Trams also thanked colleagues for their dedication throughout.
Luas Finglas has become the first infrastructure project in the Republic of Ireland to receive a BREEAM Infrastructure Version 6 rating. The proposed extension achieved an Excellent rating with a score of 83.73% at the Strategy and Design stage.
The project would extend the Luas network four kilometres between Broombridge and Charlestown, accompanied by walking and cycling infrastructure and biodiversity improvements. It has also been shortlisted for the Communities and Social Value Leadership Award at the 2026 BREEAM Awards.
Luas is reminding passengers to treat staff with courtesy and respect as they carry out their roles across Dublin’s tram network. The appeal recognises the contribution of employees who keep services running safely and regularly assist customers beyond their day-to-day duties.
While most interactions are positive, the operator says some colleagues experience verbal, racial or physical abuse at work. Aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated, and passengers are asked to cooperate when staff check tickets or intervene over activity that could compromise safety.
NET welcomed employees, families and community partners to its depot for a charity day supporting organisations across the region. A raffle raised more than £250 for Nottinghamshire Mind, NET’s charity of the year, which provides mental health support and guidance locally.
The event also featured Nottingham charities Switch Up and Pulp Friction, whose members served drinks using their popular smoothie bike.
Docklands Light Railway has shared a video featuring practical safety advice from a frontline colleague who regularly sees how passengers move through stations.
Drawing on everyday experience, the video encourages customers travelling with luggage or buggies to consider the safest way to navigate stairs and escalators. It shows how frontline knowledge can support safer journeys by highlighting small decisions that reduce risk across the network.
Thirteen competition winners have visited Metrolink for an exclusive look behind the scenes after entering a competition at the Queens Road Bus Depot Open Day.
The group toured engineering facilities and tested their skills on the tram-driving simulator before meeting colleagues from across the business. The visit offered an insight into the people and technology that support the safe operation of the UK’s largest light rail network.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is seeking feedback on a draft Spatial Development Framework that aligns transport investment and regeneration with the region’s future growth. Developed with the five local planning authorities, the plan presents mass transit as a catalyst for new homes, employment and improved connections.
Responses are invited on whether the framework meets infrastructure needs, is supported by evidence and can realistically be delivered. Feedback will inform the plan before its formal submission.
Heritage Highlights
The Great Orme Tramway operated an amended service during the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women on Friday 21st August, as the race passed through the area.
Trams ran normally until around 1pm before services were temporarily suspended for the race, with operations expected to resume approximately two hours later, subject to conditions. With Marine Drive closed to vehicles, the tramway provided one of the principal ways for spectators to reach the Great Orme summit before racing began.
Seaton Tramway welcomed families to its Moomin Summer Adventure throughout August, combining heritage tram journeys through the Axe Valley with storytelling and a live puppet show at Colyton Station.
The event included Moomin-themed activities and refreshments, with visitors praising the entertainment and the welcome provided by staff. Chief Executive Jenny Nunn said the event was designed to create a memorable family experience while introducing visitors to the tramway through the world of the Moomins.
The National Tramway Museum is concluding its summer Friday programme on 28th August with unlimited vintage tram rides aboard Leeds 399 and Blackpool 762.
Its autumn season begins on Tuesday 1st September, continuing opportunities for visitors to explore the museum and travel on its historic fleet. The museum will also open on Friday 30th October as part of its seasonal programme.
UKTram Updates
UKTram has supported research into climate resilience on Gothenburg’s tramway network, sharing knowledge and best practice from across the UK light rail sector with a team working on behalf of Gothenburg Municipality.
Students Andrea Svensson, Ida Welén and Margarita Zouridis approached UKTram as part of a project exploring how tramway systems can adapt to the growing challenges presented by climate change, including extreme temperatures and flooding.
Railway Assurance brings additional systems engineering and safety assurance expertise to our expanding community. Established in 2008, Railway Assurance is a specialist provider of systems engineering, safety assurance and interoperability services across the rail and light rail sectors.
UKTram is finalising its response to the Government’s Mass Transit Taskforce Call for Evidence, drawing on insight shared by members, partners and the light rail team. The submission will address how future schemes can be planned, funded and delivered more effectively while demonstrating the contribution of integrated mass transit to sustainable growth.
Organisations that have not yet responded are encouraged to share evidence on delivery challenges, lessons learned and potential improvements. The consultation closes at 11.59pm on 7th September 2026.
The next round-up will be published on Friday, 4th September 2026. If you are a UKTram member with a press release, project update, or career opportunity, please email chelsea.branch@uktram.co.uk to be featured.
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