Weekly Light Rail News | Student travel deals in Nottingham, Safety campaign in Blackpool and Mentrolink expansion plans | 29th August 2025

This week’s light rail new round-up features student travel deals in Nottingham, safety campaigns and zoo-themed wraps in Blackpool, funding for active travel in Greater Manchester and expansion plans for Metrolink. TfL launches new campaign to encourage headphone use, West Midlands Metro upgrades careers portal and TfW publishes Cardiff Crossrail consultation report. Read on for heritage tramway updates, the return of a restored steam tram in Telford.

NET launches student tram travel deal from just 90p a day

Students in Nottingham can now benefit from unlimited tram travel for less than £1 a day thanks to a new academic year deal from Nottingham Express Transit (NET).

The limited-time offer, available until mid-October, provides university and college students with a discounted annual pass for £300. Additionally, school students can save £100 on an Under 19 Academic Pass through participating schools. NET will be promoting the deal at freshers’ fairs across the city throughout September.

Tyne and Wear Metro carriage returns to the stage at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal

A replica of an iconic Tyne and Wear Metro train will return as the centrepiece of Gerry and Sewell at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal next summer. The play, based on Jonathan Tulloch’s novel The Season Ticket, which inspired the film Purely Belter, features the mocked-up Metro carriage in its classic yellow 1980s livery.

The set is based on prototype Metrocar 4001, which is soon to be preserved at the Stephenson Steam Railway. Following a successful 2024 run, the play will be back from 9–13 June 2026.

£6m boost for Bee Network tram and tram-train expansion plans

Greater Manchester has confirmed £6m of funding to progress a pipeline of new tram and tram-train projects as part of the Bee Network’s long-term expansion. Work will advance on proposals including the Metrolink extension to Stockport, a western leg to Manchester Airport along with new connections to Salford Quays, Leigh, Wigan and Bolton.

Planning will also explore routes to Middleton, Trafford Waters and the Northern Gateway, alongside early development for a city-centre underground system. Leaders also signalled ambitions for ‘next generation’ double-length trams to support growing demand.

Final phase of tram track replacement for 2025 in Manchester

Metrolink will complete this year’s programme of essential maintenance with track replacement works on the Ashton line and near Piccadilly Station from 5–7 September. No trams will run between Piccadilly Gardens and Ashton-under-Lyne during the closure, with replacement buses in operation.

This follows successful upgrades earlier in the year across key city centre locations, part of a £150m investment to keep the UK’s largest tram network safe and reliable. Additional drainage works along the Ashton line and repairs on Mosley Street will also take place during this period.

Coventry VLR trials new utility access methods

Coventry’s Very Light Rail demonstrator track is hosting a series of trials to test ways of accessing utilities beneath its lightweight concrete slabs. Techniques such as impact moling, vacuum excavation and directional drilling are being evaluated with local utility companies to ensure safe, quick access with minimal disruption.

The trials follow the success of CVLR’s track installation and public rides earlier this year, with planning already underway for the next 800-metre section from the railway station to the University Technology Park. A video of the trials is available on Coventry City Council’s LinkedIn page.

TfL launches new campaign to encourage headphone use

Transport for London has launched a new phase of its #TravelKind campaign, reminding customers to use headphones when listening to music or making calls on public transport. The initiative follows research showing that 70% of passengers find loud content disruptive, particularly with the rollout of 4G and 5G connectivity across the network.

Posters are already live on the Elizabeth line and will expand to bus, Underground, London Overground, Docklands Light Railway and London Trams services this autumn. TfL has also partnered with JBL to run a competition promoting the campaign.

Blackpool Tramway rolls out safety campaign and new zoo tram wrap

Blackpool Transport has relaunched the successful 'Two Lines = STOP' campaign, installing new signage at key points along the tramway to remind pedestrians to stay alert around trams during the upcoming Illuminations season.

The operator has also turned heads with a new zoo-themed tram wrap, featuring images of Blackpool Zoo’s most popular animals. With advertising sales now managed in-house, Blackpool Transport is inviting other local attractions and businesses to utilise tram wraps as a high-profile way to reach thousands of visitors along the promenade.

West Midlands Metro upgrades careers portal

West Midlands Metro announced that its main careers portal will be offline between 29 August and 7 September while essential upgrades are carried out. During this period, applicants can still access opportunities via a temporary careers page. The updated portal, launching on 8 September, will feature enhanced security and a faster application process.

GMB Union launches first National Trams Forum in Nottingham.

The first-ever meeting of the union led National Trams Forum has taken place in Nottingham, bringing together union representatives and workplace activists from across the UK’s light rail networks. Delegates discussed shared challenges such as the need for greater standardisation, consultation, roster reform and health and safety improvements. The forum will continue to rotate locations across the UK to strengthen union collaboration nationally. Union calls for nationalisation of tram and light rail systems

At the GMB Congress 2025, members debated the nationalisation of Britain’s tram and light rail systems. Anthony Brown, representing the union’s Notts County Tram Branch, reflected that a publicly owned network would prioritise passengers over profit while securing long-term investment and stronger accountability. The motion was carried and mandates the GMB to press the Government to fold all tram and light rail franchises into GBRail, reflecting growing calls for publicly owned light rail systems similar to Britain’s national railways. Cardiff Crossrail consultation report published

Transport for Wales has thanked everyone who took part in its consultation on proposals for a new tramway between Cardiff Central and Cardiff Bay. The results of last year’s consultation are now available, providing insight into public feedback on the Cardiff Crossrail scheme, part of the wider South Wales Metro project. The full report is available for viewing here.

Exploring the role of trams in improving social mobility

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is inviting people to a special event on 23 September to explore how trams could support social mobility and inclusive economic growth across the region. Hosted at Leeds Beckett University Business School, the session will feature insights from project leads, academics from Leeds College of Building and industry representatives from John Sisk & Son Ltd.

The discussion forms part of WYCA’s vision for trams to integrate seamlessly with other modes as part of the Weaver Network. Register here.

Heritage

Crich Tramway Village seeks new homes for historic trams

Crich Tramway Village is looking to rehome two tramcars following a collections review. Halle an der Saale tramcar No. 902, imported from Germany in 2005, and Blackpool Corporation Railgrinder No. 2, last operated in the 1970s, are being offered free of charge to organisations able to cover removal and transport costs.

The Museum hopes the vehicles can remain in the public sector, ensuring they continue to be appreciated by future generations. More information can be found on our website here.

Heaton Park Tramway welcomes visitors with free monthly museum openings

Image Credit: Gareth Prior

While tram services remain suspended due to substation works, Heaton Park Tramway is opening its museum and shop free of charge on the last Sunday of each month until September. The next session takes place this Sunday, 31 August, from 12pm–4pm, giving visitors the chance to explore newly renovated displays, step aboard Hull 96 and view ongoing restoration work on Manchester 173. Volunteers will also be on hand to share the site’s fascinating history.

Steam tram returns to Telford Town Tramway

Image Credit: Telford Steam Railway

As reported by Rail Advent, a restored steam tram made its long-awaited return to service at the Telford Town Tramway on 24 August. The event featured TV presenter and railway historian Tim Dunn, who performed the official naming ceremony for the 4wVB tram originally christened ‘Thomas’ by Rev. W. Awdry in 1980.

Following a major overhaul, supported by a public fundraising campaign, the tram is once again operational after years out of use.

The next round-up will be published on Friday 5th September, to be included in the 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 4th September.