Weekly Light Rail News | Investment and sector progress | 30th October 2026
This week’s light rail news reflects continued investment in networks and the people who keep them moving. Amey has been appointed to support early works for the proposed DLR extension to Thamesmead, while £752m in transport funding and new mayoral powers could help advance mass transit ambitions in the West of England. Elsewhere, operators are preparing passengers for major events and renewal works, and the Isle of Man’s heritage railways are marking the end of another operating season.
Autumn Budget 2026: New mayoral powers could support future light rail investment
The Autumn Budget, announced on Wednesday, 28th October, has outlined new financial powers for mayoral authorities that could help support future light rail and mass transit schemes across England.
The measures include a £1.5 billion borrowing facility for Mayoral Strategic Authorities from April 2028, along with £285 million in Good Growth funding to support local investment and economic development.
Edinburgh Trams prepares for Nations Championship crowds
Additional tram services will operate before and after Scotland’s Nations Championship fixtures at Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium during November. The national team will face New Zealand on 7th November, Australia on 15th November and Japan on 21st November.
Passengers travelling by tram are being encouraged to buy tickets in advance, with gatelines operating at Murrayfield Stadium stop. Those driving into Edinburgh can also use the thousands of free spaces at Ingliston Park & Ride before continuing their journey by tram.
Luas reminds passengers to have a valid ticket before boarding
Passengers are being reminded to purchase or validate their ticket before travelling on Luas. TFI Leap Card users must tap on at a platform validator before boarding and tap off at the end of their journey, including when using the 90 Minute Fare after another mode of transport.
Paper tickets can be purchased at machines across the network using cash, card or mobile payment. Anyone unable to present a valid ticket during an inspection may receive a €45 Standard Fare Notice.
Amey appointed for DLR Thamesmead extension early works
Docklands Light Railway Limited has allocated the early works for the proposed Thamesmead extension to Amey Rail through Transport for London’s Infrastructure Improvement Framework.
The initial stage will cover mobilisation, programme development, risk planning and survey preparation. Further investigations and physical early works remain subject to affordability and the necessary approvals. Although the procurement notice gives a potential value of £41.8m, only the first stage is currently committed.
Bee Network bus diversions continue after Manchester water main burst
Bus services remain diverted in Manchester city centre while repairs continue following a burst water main on Portland Street. Piccadilly Gardens bus station is closed to buses, with passengers advised to check temporary boarding points and allow additional time.
Tram services towards Bury, Rochdale and Ashton remain unaffected at Piccadilly Gardens. Express replacement buses supporting the current Metrolink closures are also operating from their usual stops.
Kier appointed to design Heaton Park Metrolink improvements
Transport for Greater Manchester has appointed Kier to lead the design of accessibility and passenger improvements at Heaton Park Metrolink stop on the Bury line.
Plans include enhanced step-free access through new ramps and larger lifts, alongside upgraded shelters and improved wayfinding. The proposed scheme will also redesign access to the platforms and introduce a new pedestrian track crossing, creating a more accessible stop for local residents and visitors attending events at Heaton Park.
KeolisAmey Metrolink supports women’s safety at Moonlit Miles
KeolisAmey Metrolink joined TravelSafe at Manchester Parks’ Moonlit Miles event, which encouraged women and girls to remain safe and active during the darker months.
A pop-up offered practical advice about travelling safely at night on public transport and through active travel. The team also promoted the TravelSafe LiveChat service and distributed personal alarms, torches and reflective slap bands to those attending the event.
Nexus engineering leader swaps Westminster for Metro
Nexus Head of Engineering Ben Brooks has reflected on his move from the Palace of Westminster to the Tyne and Wear Metro. During his three years as Parliament’s Lead Electrical Engineer, he worked across the historic estate and helped deliver the £80m refurbishment of Big Ben.
Now based in Newcastle, Ben is applying that experience to public transport and encouraging others to consider careers in engineering. Nexus currently has five engineering vacancies live.
NET services restored after network-wide communications failure
Nottingham Express Transit withdrew all tram services on the evening of 22nd October after a communications failure caused contact with vehicles across the network to be lost.
Engineers identified and tested the fault overnight, allowing services to resume on 23rd October. NET apologised to affected passengers and continued monitoring the network as some residual delays and disruption remained.
Supertram team helps passengers navigate renewal works
Supertram colleagues have been speaking directly with passengers across the network to help them plan around the renewal works in Hillsborough and Shalesmoor, which continue until 31st October.
Teams distributed information and answered questions about revised services, with Blue and Yellow Route trams terminating at Shalesmoor and Cathedral, respectively. Replacement buses are operating between Shalesmoor and Malin Bridge, and between Cathedral and Middlewood, while works are completed.
Budget confirms £752m transport funding for West of England
The Budget has confirmed £752m of transport funding for the West of England, with mass transit options continuing to be developed as part of the region’s long-term Transport Vision.
Mayor Helen Godwin welcomed the commitment as part of a broader package supporting regional infrastructure and growth. The funding is expected to support improvements to buses and rail services while helping the region assess how a future mass transit network could improve connections across Bristol and surrounding communities.
Heritage highlights
Douglas Bay Horse Tramway extension targets 2028 opening
The restored section of the Douglas Bay Horse Tramway could welcome its first passengers during summer 2028. The Isle of Man Department of Infrastructure is developing the construction tender, expected to launch in early 2027.
Tynwald approved funding of up to £3m for the project in July. The provisional construction programme is expected to last around 35 weeks and will restore the tramway to its full length along Douglas Promenade.
Gateshead 10 returns to service at Beamish
Gateshead 10 has returned to passenger service at Beamish after an extensive overhaul that took around a decade. British Trams Online reports that the tram carried passengers again on 28th October, having last operated in 2016 under its former identity as Grimsby & Immingham 26.
The project included mechanical, bodywork and interior repairs, alongside work on the tram’s trucks. It has also been restored to its Gateshead crimson appearance.
Manx heritage railways prepare for end-of-season finale
The Isle of Man’s heritage railways will mark the end of their 2026 operating season with special services on 31st October and 1st November. As reported here, two early Manx Electric Railway cars will operate on Saturday, including Car 2 before it is stood down for the winter.
The Douglas Bay Horse Tramway will also conclude its 150th-anniversary season, with a Hop-tu-Naa-themed tram and special journeys by double-deck tram 18. The weekend also includes Snaefell displays and events across the island’s heritage transport network
UKTram updates
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