Yorkshire firm chosen for Supertram upgrade
A SOUTH Yorkshire firm has been awarded a £4m contract to carry out work to upgrade Sheffield’s Supertram rails.
VolkerRail, based in Doncaster, was selected by tram network owner South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE). The work, which is the largest investment programme in the tram system since it began running, involves replacing 5,450 metres of the tram track, which was originally laid around 20 years ago.
SYPTE and system operator, Stagecoach Supertram, are funding a major programme of rail replacement works on the network, with the majority of work being undertaken during the next five years.
The first main phase of the project involves engineering work on the section of track on Park Grange Road. Work is expected to start at the end of June and take around 12 weeks. Other smaller scale works will also be carried out during this time but will be completed mainly at weekends. During the project, harder wearing steel will be installed to ensure a longer lifespan, estimated at 25 to 30 years.
Railway infrastructure contractor, VolkerRail, has recently completed similar projects on Manchester Metrolink, Nottingham Tram and Croydon Tramlink.
Steve Cocliff, managing director of VolkerRail, said: “We have had a long relationship working on the Sheffield Supertram and are extremely pleased to have secured yet another contract on the network.”
Supertram has operated the system since 1997 and has turned it into a successful tram network which is now used by around 15 million people every year.
David Young, from SYPTE, said: “When the tram system was installed in 1994, it was widely expected at the time that the rail would have a 30-year lifespan. However, over the past two years, it has become clear that this replacement work needs to be carried out sooner rather than later to ensure the people of Sheffield, and the wider region, have a robust and reliable tram network in the future.”
Supertram’s managing director, Margaret Kay, said: “These essential works on the Supertram network will benefit customers and the city of Sheffield many years after the end of our current contract to operate the system.”
