UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail Round-up | Progress across the network | 10th July 2026
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The latest from the Voice of Light Rail
In this week's UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail Round-up: Major Manchester Metrolink upgrade programme gets under way, KeolisAmey Docklands recognises customer service excellence, TII acquires key Dublin city centre site for MetroLink and NET Nottingham Trams to carry out summer track improvements. Plus, SPT publishes annual report, Tyne and Wear Metro station exhibition marks General Strike centenary, London extends bus and tram fare freeze and Coventry Very Light Rail plans plans progress. Heritage highlights this week: Douglas Horse Tramway to welcome Royal visit for 150th anniversary and Seaton Tramway shares June operating figures.
Transport for Greater Manchester will begin a major programme of Metrolink infrastructure improvements on 13th July, replacing 1.6km of track between Trafford Bar and Deansgate-Castlefield while also carrying out lift upgrades at several tram stops. The work forms part of a £150 million investment in the network, with 6km of track due to be renewed by March 2027. Services on the Eccles, Trafford Centre and Altrincham lines will be suspended during the works, with replacement buses operating before normal services resume on 3rd August.
Luas is encouraging supporters travelling to Croke Park this summer to use its Park & Ride sites before continuing their journey by tram into Dublin city centre. Red Line and Green Line facilities provide convenient access, with Busáras and Connolly stops both around a 20-minute walk from the stadium.
Passengers are being advised to plan ahead by using TFI Leap Cards, purchasing return tickets in advance and checking the app for travel updates.
KeolisAmey Docklands has recognised colleagues who received customer commendations through Transport for London at its annual Signature Service Event.
Held at the ArcelorMittal Orbit, the event celebrated staff whose actions have made a positive difference to passengers, including supporting vulnerable customers and helping reunite people with lost property. The annual awards recognise the contribution frontline teams make every day in delivering a high standard of customer service across the DLR.
Nottingham Express Transit (NET) will carry out planned track improvements between Wilkinson Street and The Forest from 26th July to 9 August. Tram services on this section of the network will be suspended while the work is completed, with replacement buses operating between the two stops.
The maintenance programme is part of NET's ongoing investment in maintaining a safe and reliable tram network, with normal services due to resume on 10th August.
The Strathclyde Partnership for Transport has published its latest Annual Report, highlighting progress to make public transport more accessible, convenient and attractive across the west of Scotland.
The report outlines advances including the introduction of contactless payment and platform screen doors on the Glasgow Subway, while also setting out continued work on bus reform and the long-term vision for Clyde Metro.
Supertram will operate additional services during this year's Tramlines festival to help thousands of visitors travel to Hillsborough Park between 24th and 26th July.
New £10 group and weekend ticket offers will also be introduced, encouraging more people to travel by tram throughout the summer. Organisers and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority are urging festivalgoers to plan ahead and use public transport, with no on-site parking available for the event.
The Mayor of London and Transport for London have extended the freeze on bus and tram fares until 1st November 2026, keeping single fares at £1.75. A new Weekend Hopper fare will also be introduced during the summer holidays, allowing unlimited bus and tram travel on Saturdays and Sundays for the price of a single fare.
The measures are intended to support affordable public transport while encouraging more people to travel across the capital.
Tynemouth Metro station is hosting an art exhibition marking the 100th anniversary of the 1926 General Strike. The Broken Lines exhibition, displayed in the station's Bridge Gallery until 12th July, explores the impact of the strike in the North East through a series of banners created by North Tyneside Art Studio.
The project forms part of Nexus' Art on Transport Programme, which uses Metro stations to showcase community art and local history.
Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) has acquired a major site on Dublin's O'Connell Street to support the delivery of MetroLink. The acquisition will help facilitate construction of the new metro while enabling coordinated planning for future regeneration of the city centre.
MetroLink's O'Connell Street station will provide connections with Luas and bus services, with the project expected to carry around 53 million passenger journeys in its opening year.
Edinburgh Trams services were disrupted on the 9th of July following the closure of Princes Street by emergency services. Trams operated between Edinburgh Airport and West End, with services suspended between Princes Street and Newhaven while the tramway was assessed.
Ticket acceptance was put in place on ScotRail and Lothian Buses to help passengers complete their journeys.
Plans for new passenger platforms and a tram stop for the Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) project have been submitted to Coventry City Council. The application includes proposals for temporary depot facilities, operational buildings and around 87 metres of track on Coventry University land in Mile Lane.
The latest submission marks another step forward in the development of the £189 million innovative light rail project.
KeolisAmey Metrolink is shining a spotlight on its engineering teams as part of a recruitment campaign to attract new talent.
The operator is encouraging prospective applicants to explore career opportunities across fleet maintenance, infrastructure and overhead line engineering, supporting the continued delivery of safe and reliable tram services across Greater Manchester.
Heritage highlights
The Isle of Man's Horse Tramway will welcome His Majesty King Charles III on 14th July as part of celebrations marking its 150th anniversary.
During the visit, the King will unveil a commemorative plaque before taking a short journey on the recently restored double-decker No. 18, the world's oldest tramcar still in passenger service. Established in 1876, the horse tramway remains the world's oldest continuously operating horse-drawn passenger tramway.
Seaton Tramway has published its latest monthly newsletter, revealing that tram No. 10 recorded the highest mileage during June, covering 792 miles.
The newsletter also notes that three trams were temporarily withdrawn from service for planned maintenance ahead of the busy summer season. The regular update provides an insight into fleet activity and preparations for the school's summer holiday period.
The East Anglia Transport Museum has released its July vehicle rotas, giving visitors an overview of the trams, trolleybuses and buses expected to operate throughout the month.
The museum is also preparing to host its popular 1940s Weekend on the 18th and 19th of July, offering a programme of heritage transport and family-friendly activities.
UKTram and LRSSB Updates
Following the success of its first Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) training course earlier this year, UKTram is once again partnering with Skillstep to deliver a specialist programme designed to strengthen safety and technical expertise across the light rail sector.
Taking place in Doncaster this August, the three-day course has been developed for professionals working with, or around, tramway and light rail overhead line equipment.
The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) has published its latest Annual Report, highlighting an estimated £33 million in added value delivered to the UK light rail sector.
The report outlines progress against its three-year strategy, including work to strengthen the organisation's independence, enhance accident reporting, launch a new Skills Hub and deliver a national pedestrian safety campaign.
With the UK Government's renewed focus on mass transit, Interchange and UKTram member Siemens are bringing together industry experts to explore how today's tram systems can meet future passenger demand. UKTram Managing Director James Hammett will join the discussion, highlighting the importance of collaboration in delivering sustainable, customer-focused transport networks.
UKTram is pleased to renew its partnership with Women in Transport for a fourth consecutive year, reaffirming a joint commitment to a more inclusive and representative transport sector.
Women in Transport is the UK’s leading not-for-profit advancing equity in transport. Its mentoring programmes, events and initiatives support women throughout their careers and encourage employers to encourage inclusive workplaces.
UKTram's Operations Manager, Steve Duckering, visited the Sheffield Supertram network on Monday, 22nd June, to support discussions around improving passenger management and customer experience at major events.
Hosted by Trevor Stocker, Head of Service Delivery at South Yorkshire Supertram, and Harry McCrae, Light Rail Performance & Delivery Manager from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the visit focused on two key locations on the network – Leppings Lane and Arena tram stops – where large sporting fixtures, concerts and public events regularly generate significant passenger demand.
The next round-up will be published on Friday, 17th of July, if you are a UKTram Member and you'd like to be included in the round-up shared on the website, socials and our exclusive Members' hub, please send your press releases, event updates and career opportunities to chelsea.branch@uktram.co.uk