Latest news with #trams
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Funding will not build Bristol and Bath tram 'overnight', mayor says
Trams could make a return to Bristol and Bath with the announcement hundreds of millions of pounds of new transport funding. The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) is to spend some of a new £750m funding allocation on looking at mass transit - most of which will be spent on improving bus and local rail award was part of £15.6bn transport funding announced by the while newly-elector mayor Helen Godwin welcomed the funding, £200m of which would be spent on developing mass transit, she made it clear it would not buy a new tram system "overnight". The money covers a five-year period from West of England is getting the lowest funding of any city region – partly because its population is smaller than most."That money is not going to buy us a tram network overnight, we've got to be clear about that," Ms Godwin said. "That money can give us a much-improved bus network," she added. "We can also start to move on our suburban rail network." Ms Godwin was elected Metro Mayor on 1 May, bringing to an end the troubled tenure of Dan his four years in charge WECA was put into special measures after a series of public rows with council the disagreements was over the possibility of an underground idea is not now being talked Ms Godwin stresses her wish for good relations with local councils, including North Somerset which is likely to eventually join WECA. She will work with them on one particular priority – improving links to the airport."We have got an airport which is the only one in the country which isn't connected by mass transit of any form," she said. "So it would be remiss for us not to be looking at that."The new money is not enough to fund that but the hope is that it could pave the way.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
What are the transport projects being funded in the spending review?
Public transport projects across the North and Midlands are to be backed by the Treasury as part of a £15.6 billion package for mayoral authorities. Here the PA news agency looks at some of the schemes being funded. – A new tram network in Leeds Leeds is the largest city in western Europe without a mass transit system, with proposals to reinstate trams ongoing for decades. The Leeds Supertram project first emerged in the 1980s but was dropped in 2005. The Conservative government gave its support for Leeds to have a mass transit system in the integrated rail plan published in November 2021, to coincide with the decision to axe the planned HS2 extension to the city. Services on a tram network are expected to launch in the mid-2030s and will link Leeds with Bradford and other areas. – Extension of Birmingham's tram network The West Midlands Metro will be extended from Birmingham city centre to a new sports quarter in Bordesley Green. This will be the first phase of West Midlands mayor Richard Parker's ambition to deliver mass transit from east Birmingham to north Solihull. – Enhancing Greater Manchester's tram network New Metrolink stops will be opened in Bury and Oldham, and the line will be extended to Stockport. Also, the city's public transport Bee Network will become fully electric by 2030, including through the purchase of 1,000 new electric buses. – Extending the Tyne and Wear Metro The tram network will be extended from Newcastle to Sunderland via Washington. – Improvements to buses in the Liverpool City Region New rapid bus routes will serve Liverpool John Lennon Airport and both Liverpool and Everton's football stadiums. – Expanding Middlesbrough railway station A third platform will be built at the station to boost capacity. – A new mass transit system to connect Derby and Nottingham This will feature road, rail and bus improvements across the Trent Arc corridor.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Funding secured for county's £2.1bn tram project
A project to bring trams back to West Yorkshire has received a major funding boost from the government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that £2.1bn of local transport funding would be allocated to the county. According to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the grant would mean "spades in the ground" by 2028, with the first trams operating before the mid-2030s. Following the announcement, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "It is time for trams. Today is a huge moment for our region." The first phase of the £2.5bn mass transit programme is expected to see the creation of two tram lines. A Leeds line will run from St James's University Hospital through the city centre to the White Rose Centre, while a Bradford Line will connect Bradford and Leeds city centres. Brabin said the funding meant that "other vital projects" could also go ahead, such as new bus stations for Bradford and Wakefield. That would "help us create a better-connected region that works for all", she said. The combined authority is expected to publish its preferred route options for the tram system later this year, with a full public consultation planned for 2026. According to the authority, the scheme would improve local transport for 675,000 people and benefit West Yorkshire's most deprived communities. James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "Delivering a tram system will transform connectivity across our city, and between Leeds and Bradford, bringing jobs and opportunities within easier reach of thousands of local people." Today's announcement is a big leap forward for those who have long campaigned for trams to return to West Yorkshire's streets. But political leaders will understand voters' scepticism after the failure of two previous schemes. The proposed Supertram network was given the go ahead by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in 2001. Early building work got under way, but the project was cancelled by Transport Secretary Alastair Darling in 2005 due to rising costs. A proposed electric bus system with overhead wires, known as New Generation Transport, was then promised - before it was also axed after a planning inspector ruled it was "not in the public interest". The new tram network – being called a mass transit scheme - is a region-wide proposal serving Leeds and Bradford initially, with the ambition to extend it to other towns and cities in West Yorkshire. The money pledged by government today will allow work to start. But with an estimated cost of at least £2.5bn, additional finance will be needed. Meanwhile, the government has also allocated £1.5bn of local transport funding to South Yorkshire. About £530m of the money is expected to go towards renewing the county's tram network, providing a fleet of new vehicles and modernising tram stops. A £350m cash injection is also expected to see the reform of bus services, with franchised buses operating in Sheffield, Doncaster and Rotherham by 2027, and across the whole of South Yorkshire by 2029. South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard called the investment "game-changing" for communities. "It will mean new and better buses, new electric vehicles, integrated ticketing and better information," he said. "It will mean new trams and better tram stops and lays the foundation for extending the tram network. "It will mean that our young people will be able to get to jobs and opportunities; that we can all access services, see friends and family, or go for a day, or a night out, without worrying how to get home." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Chancellor to announce £15bn for transport projects 'Two thirds' support Leeds to Bradford tram route Plans for West Yorkshire tram system published West Yorkshire Combined Authority
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Funding secured for West Yorkshire's £2.1bn tram project
A project to bring trams back to West Yorkshire has received a major funding boost from the government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that £2.1bn of local transport funding would be allocated to the to West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the grant would mean "spades in the ground" by 2028, with the first trams operating before the the announcement, Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "It is time for trams. Today is a huge moment for our region." The first phase of the £2.5bn mass transit programme is expected to see the creation of two tram lines. A Leeds line will run from St James's University Hospital through the city centre to the White Rose Centre, while a Bradford Line will connect Bradford and Leeds city said the funding meant that "other vital projects" could also go ahead, such as new bus stations for Bradford and would "help us create a better-connected region that works for all", she said. The combined authority is expected to publish its preferred route options for the tram system later this year, with a full public consultation planned for 2026. According to the authority, the scheme would improve local transport for 675,000 people and benefit West Yorkshire's most deprived communities. James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "Delivering a tram system will transform connectivity across our city, and between Leeds and Bradford, bringing jobs and opportunities within easier reach of thousands of local people." Analysis: Spencer Stokes, BBC Yorkshire business and transport correspondent Today's announcement is a big leap forward for those who have long campaigned for trams to return to West Yorkshire's political leaders will understand voters' scepticism after the failure of two previous proposed Supertram network was given the go ahead by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in building work got under way, but the project was cancelled by Transport Secretary Alastair Darling in 2005 due to rising costs.A proposed electric bus system with overhead wires, known as New Generation Transport, was then promised - before it was also axed after a planning inspector ruled it was "not in the public interest".The new tram network – being called a mass transit scheme - is a region-wide proposal serving Leeds and Bradford initially, with the ambition to extend it to other towns and cities in West money pledged by government today will allow work to with an estimated cost of at least £2.5bn, additional finance will be needed. Meanwhile, the government has also allocated £1.5bn of local transport funding to South £530m of the money is expected to go towards renewing the county's tram network, providing a fleet of new vehicles and modernising tram stops.A £350m cash injection is also expected to see the reform of bus services, with franchised buses operating in Sheffield, Doncaster and Rotherham by 2027, and across the whole of South Yorkshire by Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard called the investment "game-changing" for communities."It will mean new and better buses, new electric vehicles, integrated ticketing and better information," he said. "It will mean new trams and better tram stops and lays the foundation for extending the tram network. "It will mean that our young people will be able to get to jobs and opportunities; that we can all access services, see friends and family, or go for a day, or a night out, without worrying how to get home." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Travel warning issued as tram stops closed for a week amid major works
Passengers are being warned to expect major disruption as engineering works take place on a Metrolink line. No trams will run between Bury and Whitefield from the beginning of Sunday, May 25, to the end of next Sunday, June 1. Meanwhile, there will be no services between Whitefield and Crumpsall tomorrow (Sunday), and from Friday to next Sunday. READ MORE: Hundreds pay tribute as teenagers killed in Salford horror crash named and pictured READ MORE: Road blocked as family and friends pay tribute to two teenagers killed in motorbike crash Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) says the closure is for 'essential repair works' to take place on the Bury line. It means that Bury and Radcliffe tram stops will be closed for eight days. Services will run between Whitefield and Manchester city centre from bank holiday Monday to the end of Thursday. Trams on the Bury line will only run between Crumpsall and Manchester tomorrow, and from Friday to next Sunday. Join our Traffic and Travel WhatsApp group HERE TfGM says a tram replacement bus will be in use at the affected stops. It also says that passengers could find cheaper or quicker alternatives by using Bee Network buses instead. Metrolink tickets will be accepted on the 97, 135 and 524 services on Friday and next Saturday. However, they will only be accepted on tram replacement buses on the other days that work is taking place. Further details can be found on the TfGM website. --- For the latest stories and breaking news visit Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to stay up to date with the latest. Follow us on X @mennewsdesk for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page here. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.
