UK and Ireland Tram and Light Rail Round-up | Record demand, career opportunities and sector momentum | 24th April 2026
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The latest from the Voice of Light Rail
In the UK and Ireland Light Rail Round-up this week: West Midlands Metro Eastside extension opens to Millennium Point and seeks public input on new route naming, Supertram upgrades to continue with Bank Holiday engineering works, Manchester Marathon drives record-breaking day for Metrolink, and rare pre-opening Tyne and Wear Metro tickets discovered by a collector. Plus, Luas Cork proposals progress with route consultation launched, UK Light Rail Conference 2026 updates for milestone 20th year, Heritage Tramways Committee focuses on marketing and sector visibility and Heaton Park Tramway takes custodianship of historic Bury tramcar section.
Passenger services are now running to Millennium Point following the opening of the first phase of the Birmingham Eastside Metro extension. The new stops at Albert Street and Millennium Point improve access to key destinations, including Moor Street Station, Birmingham City University and the wider city centre.
The extension also strengthens integration with other modes, providing a direct link to a major bus interchange and improving connectivity across the network. The opening marks a significant milestone in the expansion of West Midlands Metro, with further phases planned to extend services towards Digbeth, East Birmingham and Birmingham Airport.
West Midlands Metro is inviting customers to help shape how its expanded network will be presented, as preparations continue for the opening of the Dudley extension. The move will see the network evolve from a single line into a multi-route system, increasing choice and flexibility for passengers.
A public survey is now live, exploring options for route identifiers including colours, numbers and symbols, aimed at improving clarity and accessibility, along with highlighting the importance of clear wayfinding as light rail networks grow in scale and complexity.
Further investment in the Supertram network will take place over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend, with essential rail replacement works scheduled in the Attercliffe area. The works form part of an ongoing programme to improve infrastructure and extend the life of the network.
Service changes will be in place between the 2nd and 4th May, with some routes suspended or operating to a revised timetable and replacement buses running along affected sections. The changes are a result of continued investment in maintaining network performance while minimising disruption during periods of lower passenger demand.
Metrolink recorded its busiest day on record during the Manchester Marathon, with more than 200,000 passengers travelling on the network. The event saw 42,000 runners take part alongside an estimated 150,000 spectators, creating significant demand across the city.
Trams carried over 202,000 journeys on the day, almost double the figures recorded during the 2021 marathon, underlining the role of light rail in supporting large-scale events. Increased use was also seen across active travel, with cycle hire recording its highest ever Sunday usage, which illustrates the strength of integrated transport networks in managing peak demand.
Passengers are being advised of planned service changes on the Ashton line as essential track replacement works take place over the weekend. No trams will run between Etihad Campus and Ashton-under-Lyne on 25th and 26th April, with replacement buses in operation and alternative routes in place for some stops.
The works form part of a wider £150 million investment programme across the Metrolink network, aimed at maintaining long-term safety, reliability and resilience. Further upgrade activity is scheduled across multiple lines throughout the summer, with temporary timetable adjustments supporting delivery of the programme.
Rare Tyne and Wear Metro tickets issued on the eve of the system’s launch in August 1980 have been discovered by a collector, offering a unique insight into the network’s early history. The tickets, printed the night before services began, are considered highly unusual and rarely seen.
The find highlights the enduring legacy of Metro’s original ticketing system, which remained in use for decades before the shift to modern smart ticketing. It also reflects continued public interest in the heritage of light rail networks and their place in everyday life.
Luas marked World Public Transport Day with a series of customer engagement activities across selected stops on the Red and Green Lines. Passengers were invited to take part in a “Spin the Wheel” initiative, with prizes including TFI Leap Cards.
The activity formed part of wider celebrations recognising the role of public transport in connecting communities and supporting everyday journeys, with on-the-ground engagement offering a visible reminder of the network’s place in daily life.
Plans for a new Luas light rail line in Cork have moved forward, with a preferred route featuring 27 stops now published for public consultation. The proposed line would run from Ballincollig to Mahon Point, connecting key destinations including MTU, Cork University Hospital, the city centre, Kent Station and the Docklands.
The consultation marks an important step in developing a new light rail system for the city, with the scheme forming a central part of wider transport plans to support significant population growth. The project aims to improve connectivity, reduce congestion and support more sustainable travel across the Cork metropolitan area.
The full programme for the 20th Anniversary UK Light Rail Conference has been launched, with the event returning to Nottingham, where it was first established. This year’s conference will bring together more than 350 industry professionals, with a programme focused on the theme of Past, Present and Future.
The milestone edition will showcase key projects, insights and discussions shaping the next decade of light rail, reinforcing the conference’s role as a central forum for collaboration, knowledge sharing and sector leadership.
Heritage Highlights
Members of the UKTram Heritage Tramways Committee gathered in Birmingham on 20th April 2026 for the latest committee meeting, with a strong focus on marketing and preparing for the busy summer season.
Held at UKTram’s offices, representatives from across the heritage tramway community met online and in person to share recent updates and explore opportunities to strengthen engagement with visitors. It was acknowledged that this was the 40th meeting of the group which has been running for over ten years.
Heaton Park Tramway has taken custodianship of the only surviving section of a Bury Corporation Tramways vehicle, with the top deck end of Car 7 now relocated to its Lakeside Depot. The piece has been transferred from Bury Transport Museum and brings a significant part of Greater Manchester’s tram heritage back into a wider collection of preserved vehicles.
Dating back to the early 20th century, the tramcar forms part of the region’s original electric network, with plans to assess how it can be displayed once the tramway returns to operational service.
Seaton Tramway is set to host a silent disco event at Seaton Station, offering a mix of music from the 80s, 90s and 00s. The evening event will take place on 30th May, adding to the tramway’s programme of activities designed to attract new and returning visitors as part of wider efforts across the heritage sector to diversify visitor experiences and engage broader audiences beyond traditional transport heritage.
Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life is recruiting a Tramway & Historic Engineering Technician to support the operation and maintenance of its heritage tramway and engineering exhibits. The role offers a hands-on opportunity to work with historic vehicles while ensuring safe, reliable operation of the site’s tramway.
Based in Coatbridge, the position combines technical expertise with public-facing work, contributing to the preservation and day-to-day running of one of Scotland’s leading industrial heritage attractions.
UKTram updates
UKTram has announced new leadership for its Light Rail Operations Committee (LROC), following Steve Mabey's recent decision to step down as Chair. Steve will be greatly missed by the group after playing a key role in leading the committee over recent years, supporting open discussion and shared learning across light rail operations.
Taking on the role of Chair is Graham Fitzgerald, who has been an active member of LROC since 2019 and previously served as Vice Chair from 2023. Stepping into the role of Vice Chair is Trevor Stocker, Head of Service Delivery at Supertram. Trevor is a senior operations and safety leader with more than 20 years of experience across operations and resource planning.
UKTram representatives recently visited UKTram member Voestalpine Turnout Technology UK Ltd in Harworth to gain insight into the latest developments in switch and crossing (S&C) technology and quality assurance processes.
The visit took place on 14th April 2026, with UKTram represented by Lead Engineer Phill Terry and Stakeholder and Innovation Manager Tim Bilby, alongside Craig O’Brien from Light Rail Safety and Standards Board.
UKTram is pleased to announce the digital publication of Tram Talks, its members’ magazine, providing a dedicated space for insight and shared learning across the light rail sector.
Developed as an added benefit for members, Tram Talks brings together sector updates, functional group activity, partner perspectives and member contributions in one place. The magazine supports knowledge sharing and strengthens connections across the industry.
Our Careers section has been updated with the latest opportunities across the sector, including a Tramway & Historic Engineering Technician position at Summerlee Museum, a Tram Engineering Manager position at Metrolink, a Network Manager position at Supertram, and a range of overhead line maintenance roles with Nexus.
The next round-up will be published on 8th May, following a short break. If you are a UKTram member with a press release, project update or career opportunity you’d like to see featured next week, please email chelsea.branch@uktram.co.uk