15 September 2009

The UK's first tram-train trials will now be held on the current rail freight route from Rotherham joining the Sheffield Supertram network at Meadowhall Interchange.

Responding to the news, Metro Chairman Cllr Ryk Downes said, "I am very pleased to see these that the revised plan for these trials will now test the very essence of tram-trains' advantage, which is the integration and transfer between heavy and light rail, using an all-electric vehicle.

Link into heart of Leeds

"We have led the calls to bring tram-trains to the UK and think tram-trains could provide an effective link between the Harrogate rail line and lines into the very heart of Leeds. This Sheffield trial will now evaluate exactly that transfer, from running on the traditional train network to an on-street, tram-style operation.

"We believe that in addition to increasing much-needed capacity, the reduced running costs of running tram-trains on the busy Leeds, Harrogate, York line could provide opportunities to develop new lines into town and city centres, extend routes into areas of growing employment and create a much-needed link to Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Reduced trial period

"I hope that this trial will avert the need for a further trial on a heavy-rail line, and as such will reduce the overall trial period so that we might see tram-train in Leeds City Region much sooner than the government had originally indicated.

"Metro has been calling for a reduced trial period as the technology is already in use in many parts of Europe, so I am pleased that the government has listened to this challenge."