Weekly Light Rail News | Metro anniversary, Blackpool Tram Summer Success & Consultation to shape Edinburgh Trams expansion plans | 22 August 2025

In the weekly light rail news round-up this week: 45th anniversary of the Tyne and Wear Metro, a recycling milestone for the retiring fleet and policing successes in reducing anti-social behaviour. Also featured are a new safety appointment at LRSSB, the 130th anniversary of the Snaefell Mountain Tramway and summer success for Blackpool Tramway. Plus, details of an upcoming talk from transport expert Christian Wolmar, Edinburgh Trams consultation launch and a final call to enter the Stourbridge Shuttle naming competition.

New summer high for Blackpool’s trams

Blackpool Tramway has recorded its busiest weekend of the year so far, and is on track for a record-breaking summer thanks to great weather, a series of high-profile events and a renewed focus on customer service.

Most recently, the Blackpool Airshow attracted around a quarter of a million visitors to the Fylde coast and, over the two-day event, more than 50,000 tram trips were recorded.

Throughout the weekend, additional staff were on hand at key locations to help manage a huge influx of visitors while offering friendly advice on the best way to reach the promenade, which was closed to all traffic as an array of modern and classic aircraft took to the skies above.

Blackpool’s buses and trams gear up for iconic illuminations

As the big illuminations ‘switch-on’ fast approaches, Blackpool Tramway are shining a light on its plans to step up services during the seaside town’s busiest time of the year.

Over the next few months, the team are taking a fresh approach to managing the massive influx of visitors, with a renewed focus on helping them make the most of the world-famous spectacle while minimising travel disruption for residents on the Fylde Coast.  Rock ‘n’ Roll trams for AC/DC fans

Edinburgh Trams played a key role in transporting thousands of music fans to Murrayfield Stadium on Thursday, 21 August, for AC/DC’s POWER UP Tour. Extra services were in operation before and after the show, helping to ease congestion and provide smooth connections across the city.

With demand high, passengers were encouraged to plan ahead, take advantage of the new Tap On, Tap Off system, and make use of the Ingliston Park & Ride for convenient access to the stadium.

Tyne and Wear Metro celebrates 45th Anniversary

The Tyne and Wear Metro celebrated its 45th anniversary on 11 August, marking over four decades as one of the North East’s most successful transport projects. Since opening in 1980, the Metro has carried more than 1.5 billion passengers and expanded its network to South Shields, Gateshead, Newcastle Airport and Sunderland.

Looking ahead, a new fleet of trains and a planned extension to Washington signal a bright future for the iconic system.

Metro’s old trains recycled on final journeys

The Tyne and Wear Metro’s 45-year-old trains are being phased out and sent for recycling, with metals such as aluminium, copper and steel repurposed for use in manufacturing worldwide.

Nearly a third of the fleet has already been recycled by J Denham Metals in County Durham, marking a sustainable end for the iconic carriages. While most units are being dismantled, two will be preserved at local museums to celebrate their role in the region’s transport history.

Consultation to shape Edinburgh Trams expansion plans

City of Edinburgh Council has confirmed that consultation on plans to expand the tram network from Granton to the Edinburgh BioQuarter and Royal Infirmary will begin on Monday, 25 August. Running for 12 weeks until mid-November, the consultation invites views on potential new routes that could extend further into the region.

The findings will help shape the Strategic Business Case, set to be presented to the Transport and Environment Committee in 2026.

Operation Coastwatch cuts Anti-Social Behaviour on Metro

A dedicated policing and partner initiative in North Tyneside has delivered major reductions in anti-social behaviour on the Tyne and Wear Metro. Operation Coastwatch, part of the Safer Summer Streets Initiative, saw incidents fall by 74% on the network and 47% across the wider community between May and July 2025.

The scheme combines extra patrols, preventative work at stations and beach wardens, supported by Nexus, Northumbria Police and local partners to keep the system and surrounding areas safe. Bee Network rolls out Apple Pay Express Mode

Greater Manchester’s Bee Network became the first integrated public transport system outside London to launch Apple Pay’s Express Mode this week. The new feature allows passengers to pay for bus and tram travel by simply tapping their iPhone or Apple Watch, without unlocking their device or opening an app.

Mayor Andy Burnham hailed the move as a major step in making the Bee Network more seamless and convenient, building on the success of the ‘tap and go’ contactless system already used by over a million travellers each week.

£20.7million Bee Network boost for walking, wheeling and cycling schemes in Greater Manchester Greater Manchester has approved over £20 million for new active travel schemes as part of the Bee Network. The funding will support improvements such as new crossings, pavements, cycle hire expansion and community-led initiatives to encourage walking, wheeling and cycling.

By 2027, TfGM aims to deliver 176km of segregated routes across the city-region, with Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey welcoming the investment as a key step in helping more people choose healthier, greener journeys. Nottingham Trams resume more frequent service

From 20 August, Nottingham Express Transit (NET) reinstated its more frequent timetable following the completion of essential repair works on trams damaged in road traffic collisions. Temporary measures introduced in June had seen trams running every 10 minutes, but services are now operating every 7 minutes during peak hours where possible.

NET Managing Director Sarah Turner thanked customers for their patience and confirmed that while some delays may still occur as final repair stages are completed, tram availability has now stabilised in time for the busy back-to-school period.

Next stage of Supertram improvement works underway

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority confirmed that the next stage of Supertram’s summer network upgrades began on 17 August, focusing on essential rail replacement along Middlewood Road.

The works follow completion of improvements on Ridgeway Road earlier in the month and form part of a £110m investment into the system by 2027. While Blue, Purple and Tram Train services are running as normal, Yellow Route trams are temporarily diverting to Malin Bridge until 29 August, with a dedicated replacement bus linking Hillsborough Interchange and Middlewood. SYMCA says the upgrades will improve passenger comfort, reduce noise and future-proof the network for years to come.

Final chance to name the Stourbridge Shuttle

Following the recent ceremony naming one of the Stourbridge Shuttle units after George, the much-loved station cat, West Midlands Railway is now inviting the public to help name its second unit. The competition closes today, Friday 22 August, so this is the final chance to submit your suggestion via the West Midlands Railway website.

UKTram and LRSSB

UKTram Sponsors Women in Transport’s 20th Anniversary Celebration

UKTram is proud to sponsor the Women in Transport North West Hub's 20th Anniversary Celebration, taking place on 10 September 2025, at the Castlefield Viaduct in Manchester.

The event will feature keynote talks from industry leaders, followed by breakfast and peer-to-peer networking in one of Manchester’s most striking settings.

Join the UKTram Team: Stakeholder & Innovation Manager Vacancy

UKTram seeks an experienced and forward-thinking Stakeholder & Innovation Manager to join our business team on a two-year fixed-term contract. Based in the British Isles with a hybrid working arrangement (remote and Birmingham office), this is a part-time role (2–3 days per week, negotiable) with a salary range of £48k–£72k pro rata.

The successful candidate will lead UKTram’s stakeholder engagement strategy, promote collaboration across the light rail sector and embrace innovation to deliver real benefits to members, partners and the wider industry.

LRSSB appoints new Audit and Safety Officer

The Light Rail Safety and Standards Board (LRSSB) has appointed Peter Hughes as its new Audit and Safety Officer. With over three decades of international rail safety experience, Peter's appointment brings a wealth of experience as the organisation embarks on important new projects.

Heritage

Crich Tramway Village hosts “Trams for the Future”

Crich Tramway Village is set to host a special evening on Friday 19 September, featuring journalist, author and transport historian Christian Wolmar. His talk, Trams for the Future - it’s a Moving Story, will explore the resurgence of trams and light rail as part of the UK’s transport future, while reflecting on the challenges of investment and policy.

The event will also raise funds for the museum’s new ‘Access Tram’, designed to enable wheelchair users to enjoy tram rides. Tickets available here are priced at £10, with doors opening at 7pm. 130 Years of the Snaefell Mountain Tramway

The Snaefell Mountain Tramway, Britain’s only electric mountain railway, marked its 130th anniversary on 20 August. Opened in 1895, the line was built in just seven months to link Laxey with the summit of the Isle of Man’s highest peak

Over the years, the iconic route has carried generations of visitors while surviving fires, financial crises and major refurbishments. Credit to National Tramway Museum volunteer Jim Dignan for producing this detailed anniversary article.

The next round-up will be published on Friday 29th August, to be included in the next round-up or the Members News section of the UKTram website, please send your press releases, event updates and career opportunities to chelsea.branch@uktram.co.uk by Thursday 28th August.