ESSENTIAL SUPERTRAM RAIL REPLACEMENT WORKS FROM FRIDAY 24 MAY

Published 9 May 2024 at 8:34am

Multi-million pound investment work to future-proof and extend the lifespan of the Supertram network will be taking place for nine days from 24 May. 

The first phase of rail replacement engineering work will start in Sheffield city centre from after the last tram on the evening of Friday 24 May until start of service on Monday 3 June and will affect all tram and Tram Train services. Further works are planned in other areas of the tram network over the summer.

During the works, carried out by contractor VolkerRail, no tram services will be able to operate between Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge and University. 

Melanie Corcoran, Executive Director of Transport at SYMCA, said: “These essential works are vital to extend the lifespan of the Supertram network. 

“Every effort is being made to minimise the impact and to keep people moving while this work progresses. 

“By replacing the track we’re making sure the region’s tram network can continue to safely provide its popular service for generations to come.”

In addition, works will be carried out at Netherthorpe Road tram stop to replace the tram shelters. To ensure the health and safety of both the passengers and site workers, the platform will be closed throughout the works. 
Trams will not serve Netherthorpe Road tram stop and will, instead, run directly between University and Shalesmoor tram stops, in both directions. 

Customers travelling towards Middlewood/Malin Bridge should use either the University or Shalesmoor tram stops. Those wishing to travel towards Sheffield city centre should use the bus stop on Broad Lane/Beet Steet to access the dedicated tram replacement bus service, TR1 (see below).

Revised services

To allow the essential engineering works to take place between Cathedral and the junction above Park Square roundabout, tram and Tram Train services will be subject to alteration from Saturday 25 May until start of service on Monday 3 June.

West Street, City Hall, Cathedral, Castle Square and Fitzalan Square/Ponds Forge tram stops will not be served.

During the works, the Supertram network will run a revised timetable as follows:
•    Blue Route services will run between Malin Bridge P&R and University of Sheffield only (omitting Netherthorpe Road tram stop) with a reduced frequency of every 20 minutes during the day.
•    Yellow Route services will run between Middlewood P&R and University of Sheffield only (omitting Netherthorpe Road tram stop) with a reduced frequency of every 20 minutes during the day.
•    Purple Route services will run between Herdings Park and Cricket Inn Road only every 60 minutes.
•    Temporary Green Route services will run between Halfway and Meadowhall Interchange - serving stops on the Blue Route between Halfway and Sheffield Station and the Yellow Route between Hyde Park and Meadowhall Interchange - up to every 12 minutes during the day.
•    Tram Train services will run between Rotherham Parkgate and Sheffield Station only to the normal frequency of two services per hour.

Customers can view the revised timetables via our online Timetable Finder by searching for “Supertram”.
Tram replacement bus service TR1 will run between the University of Sheffield and Shrewsbury Road (behind Sheffield Railway Station) and serve bus stops located near all the affected tram stops along the route as follows:
•    Monday to Saturday: every 6 minutes from approx. 05:30 until 20:00, then every 15 minutes until approx. 00:50
•    Sunday: every 6 minutes from approx. 07:00 until 19:00, then every 15 minutes until 00:40.

Alternatively, local bus services are available, but customers will have to pay to travel as usual.
All tram and multi-modal tickets are valid for the replacement bus service. Please check the Travel South Yorkshire website for full timetable information.

These works form part of our ongoing maintenance programme and are critical to extend the lifespan of one of the region’s best loved modes of transport. 

The new rail will give passengers a better travel experience - improving comfort and reducing noise in areas where tracks are currently worn – as well as reducing the risk of closure of the network on safety grounds. 
Further information will be available via a dedicated webpage: travelsouthyorkshire.com/RailReplacement. Alternatively, customers can call Traveline on 0800 952 0002. 

Details of the impact of the rail replacement works on tram and bus services will be available on our disruptions page at travelsouthyorkshire.com/en-gb/newsupdates/disruptions. 

Customers are advised to keep checking our website and social media channels for the latest information.