Supertram to be closed down by 2019?

[Michael_N]

Interesting read...

 

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/costs-row-over-17m-supertram-rail-replacement-1-8661616

 

"An SYPTE report states rails ‘have not lasted as long as predicted in the 1990s’ and ‘if funding is not secured, parts of the network would close in 2018,’ that would be followed by ‘full network closure in 2018/19’."

[xsf7]

It's ridiculous to imagine that the network would close, this seems like a strategy to get people to cough up more cash, especially Stagecoach. Their franchise is profitable so they should stump up some of the money to keep the network running.

 

We all pay for infrastructure we might never personally use, like Crossrail... it's a bit childish for a Barnsley councillor to suggest they shouldn't contribute, but reasonable for Sheffield to pay considerably more...

 

I could see certain stretches being withdrawn though - how many people use the Herdings line?

[bassett one]

close the lot ,its a blot on the landscape,causes problems with its death trap rails,or go the full course and take it out to bradway,lowedges,batemoor,jordanthorpe and other outside areas and make it off road,so to stop such problems.

[geared]

It's completely idiotic for them to even consider closing the tram network.

This is at a time when we're being constantly told that air-pollution is a gigantic problem, killing people in increasing numbers and mass public transport is one of the best solutions to reduce emissions.

 

It wasn't too long ago the council were calling for a 50mph speed limit on the M1 due to excessive pollution levels in the city.

 

I could see certain stretches being withdrawn though - how many people use the Herdings line?

 

 

Perhaps instead of closing that spur it would be a good candidate for expansion, down towards Lowedges/Batemoor type direction?

Another option would be to stick a large park and ride on the old Norton Aerodrome site, it's literally just across the road from Herdings Park.

[Michael_N]

It's ridiculous to imagine that the network would close, this seems like a strategy to get people to cough up more cash, especially Stagecoach. Their franchise is profitable so they should stump up some of the money to keep the network running.

 

We all pay for infrastructure we might never personally use, like Crossrail... it's a bit childish for a Barnsley councillor to suggest they shouldn't contribute, but reasonable for Sheffield to pay considerably more...

 

I could see certain stretches being withdrawn though - how many people use the Herdings line?

 

Well interestingly it did suffer a £2 million loss last year. So are Stagecoach really going to stump up £2.2 million as requested to maintain the service or just walk away from the contract and leave it to SYPTE (who own the infrastructure).

 

Interesting times ahead it would seem!

[bjones787]

On a side note, the 2017 program looks to be the largest yet with works covering;

 

Middlewood > Hillsborough Corner

Hillsborough > Langsett Primrose View

University corner (Glossop Rd/Upper Hanover Street)

Attercliffe

Spring Lane > Manor Top

Gleadless > Leighton Road

White Lane

Birley Lane > Donetsk Way

Beighton

 

So large portions of all three routes are going to be facing disruption.

[Phili Buster]

Interesting.

 

So, assuming all the network does close in 2019, there is a projected spend, so far, of £75m for the Tram-Train experiment which I assume will run from Rotherham to . . . just short of Meadowhall

[Mister M]

Hang on, stagecoach have spent a small fortune repairing the tracks a few years ago. They've commissioned new trams, & there's been talk of extending the tracks to Rotherham.

There's something fishy about this story!

[geared]

By the looks of it other local councils are kicking up a stink about having to contribute towards the costs.

[mafya]

If they are thinking of selling it for a £1 then I will give them £10 for it and take it off their hands! ...