UKTram takes sector conversations from Birmingham to Belfast, Berlin and beyond

After this month’s UKTram and LRSSB Summit, the UKTram team kept up the pace, staying busy with industry events across the UK and Europe throughout September.

Following a successful Summit in Birmingham, which received fantastic feedback, UKTram colleagues have been building connections and ensuring light rail expertise is included in key discussions about the future of mass transit. From international discussions in Poland and Berlin to the Government’s Mass Transit Taskforce roundtables and the inaugural Time for Trams conference in Coventry, the sector has certainly had a busy week.

International perspectives in Poland

UKTram Operations Manager Steve Duckering and Knowledge Manager Dan Hill travelled to Poznań for the latest UITP Light Rail Division meeting, joining colleagues from Europe and further afield to exchange experience on light rail challenges, best practice and knowledge.

Discussions covered the socioeconomic impact of light rail, operational approaches, fleet midlife upgrades and decommissioning and the sector's future direction. The visit also connected with the Government’s ongoing work on mass transit, as Mass Transit Taskforce member Jason Prince joined an international roundtable. Steve reflected:

“Hearing from people in Europe, North America and South America showed that cities around the world often face similar challenges. Sharing those experiences gives us useful insight that we can take back and share through our work with the UK light rail sector.”

A technical visit hosted by MPK Poznań allowed the UKTram team to see the city’s light rail operations first-hand. This included a visit to Franowo tram depot and a stop at a new tram line construction site, where delegates heard about prefabricated slab technology designed to reduce excavation and disruption during construction.

Taking the conversation to Berlin

From Poland, Dan travelled on to Berlin, joining UKTram Lead Engineer Phill Terry at InnoTrans, one of the world’s largest transport technology events. Over several days, Dan and Phill connected with members and met colleagues from across the international transport industry to explore emerging technology and gather ideas and insights to share through UKTram’s membership and Functional Groups.

Dan also joined a roundtable hosted by Arcadis to discuss climate resilience and the challenges changing weather patterns pose for transport infrastructure. This discussion was a chance to share ideas with international organisations and build on the climate resilience work already happening in UKTram’s Light Rail Engineering Group.

UKTram continues its contribution to the Mass Transit Taskforce.

Back in the UK, Managing Director James Hammett attended the latest Government Mass Transit Taskforce roundtable in Belfast. James is one of 32 expert advisers appointed to support the Taskforce, alongside UKTram Board members Sophie Allison, Managing Director of West Midlands Metro, Simon Coulthard, Head of Light Rail at Network Rail and Mat Taylor, Director, CNNCT.

The Belfast meeting was one of several roundtables held across the UK’s four nations, aimed at gathering more insight after the Taskforce’s Call for Evidence. It followed James’s involvement in the Birmingham session and the earlier Cardiff and London roundtables. Reflecting on Belfast, James said

"Another really engaging session, with some more open and collaborative discussions. I’m looking forward to continuing to contribute as the programme progresses and making sure the experience and knowledge held across UKTram’s members and Functional Groups is part of those conversations.”

Time for Trams

The week concluded in Coventry, where UKTram supported the inaugural Time for Trams organised by Landor Links, in partnership Campaign for Better Transport and Create Streets on Thursday 24th September. The event focused on how the UK can deliver new tram and mass transit systems faster and more affordably, attracting representatives from local authorities and organisations involved in planning and delivering future schemes.

UKTram Chair Steve Edwards joined a panel to discuss how trams can support communities, people, and growth. “UKTram Board members Sophie Allison and Nicola Small also took part in the programme, with Managing Director James Hammett in attendance. Sophie led a session on delivering more affordable systems, while Nicola presented on Coventry Very Light Rail with Colin Knight, Coventry City Council’s Director for Innovation.

The programme also allowed delegates to see the Coventry Very Light Rail test track and learn more about the approaches being developed to reduce the cost and disruption associated with new light rail infrastructure. It provided an interesting comparison with the prefabricated slab technology Steve and Dan had seen in Poznań just days earlier, giving UKTram insight into different approaches being explored to address similar challenges. Steve Edwards reflected:

“It was great to be part of the first Time for Trams event and to see such a strong mix of presentations and debate throughout the day. What was especially encouraging was the number of authorities in the room and the appetite for conversations about how we can develop and deliver future mass transit schemes.”

Keeping the conversations moving

This month has offered an invaluable opportunity for colleagues from across light rail to share experience and discuss the sector's opportunities and challenges ahead.

UKTram Managing Director James Hammett said:

“September has shown just how much is happening across light rail and mass transit at the moment. The feedback following our Summit has been fantastic, and it’s been great to carry that momentum into so many other important conversations. Our role is to make sure that useful ideas and experience don’t stay in one meeting or with one organisation, but can be shared with our members and help inform the conversations supporting the sector. and its future.''

Get involved with UKTram

Find out how UKTram membership can connect your organisation with colleagues across light rail and give you opportunities to contribute to the conversations shaping the sector.