Special FREE 16-page Special

SEE INSIDE FOR: CARL CHAMBERS. LRT expertise Midland Metro’s - for Systra lowers from Alstom ‘Big Bang’ Manchester? LRT costs LIGHT RAIL

MIKE HADDON. CONTENTS Welcome Light rail heavyweight he UK’s eight existing light rail Birmingham Airport and the city’s planned 44Alstom demonstrates how and tram systems are currently in HS2 station at Curzon Street. tram systems in Dublin and Nottingham rude health, as confirmed by the RAIL asks Transport for West Midlands have attracted global recognition. Tlatest figures from the Department Midland Metro Programme Director Phil of Transport. Hewitt what benefits this will bring for the These reveal that the highest ever number West Midlands region, and how it will be Midland Metro of annual passenger journeys (252 million) delivered by a fully integrated alliance of RAIL turns the spotlight on and vehicle miles (21 million) were recorded contractors, known as the Midland Metro 48the innovative workings of in the year ending March 2016 (records Alliance. the Midland Metro Alliance. began in 1983). Another system that has undergone And these numbers are only set to significant expansion in recent years is The four pillars of increase, as light rail transit’s modal share of Nottingham Express Transit (NET), now public transport journeys continues to rise 20 miles long after a second phase more affordable LRT from 2.7%, and ever more route miles are than doubled the size of the system when 52Systra offers cost-effective required to meet growing demand on many it opened in August 2015. Alstom formed a advice on construction and operation of regional systems. key part of the consortium that built Phase light rail transit systems. Our 16-page special celebrates the success 2, and now operates the entire system, of light rail transit (LRT) in the UK. while the global supplier also bolstered An even greater This is perhaps most apparent on the NET’s fleet of by supplying 22 of its Manchester UK’s largest LRT system, Manchester Citadis light rail vehicles. Richard Clinnick reports on Metrolink, which, 25 years after first On pages 44-47, Alstom explains to 54 opening, completed its ‘Big Bang’ expansion RAIL why it considers NET and Dublin’s the prospect of tram-trains coming to in February following the opening of its Luas tram systems to be examples of the Manchester and the North. Second City Crossing. company’s finest works to date, and shining On page 54, Richard Clinnick looks examples of how light rail can transform the back at the impressive achievements of urban environments of the cities it serves. EDITORIAL the past two and a half decades, but also Last but not least, Systra outlines its Managing Editor: Nigel Harris at the northern city’s ambitious plans to four-pronged approach to reducing the cost Assistant Editor: Richard Clinnick grow its 57-mile network further still, of LRT, helping to make it a more attractive Contributing Writer: Paul Stephen Production Editor: Mike Wright option to cities wary of the financial impact. and press ahead with new technological Art Editor: Charles Wrigley developments including tram-trains. Using its wide-ranging global experience, Sub-Editor: Richard Hampson Hot on the heels of Manchester Metrolink the international consultancy offers sage Managing Director: Tim Lucas is Birmingham’s Midland Metro, also advice on the cost-effective construction undergoing rapid expansion at a cost of £1.2 and operation of LRT. ADVERTISING billion over the next ten years, as it gears Account Director: Julie Howard up to build lines from the city centre out to PAUL STEPHEN Wolverhampton, Edgbaston, Brierley Hill, Assistant Features Editor, RAIL

44 SPECIAL REPORT A PROMOTION LIGHT RAIL HEAVYWEIGHT SUSAN EVANS and NICK PHILLIPS of Alstom explain to PAUL STEPHEN why Nottingham’s and Dublin’s light rail systems are held up as examples of the firm’s finest works to date

lstom is an undisputed global market leader when it comes to providing metro and light rail Asolutions, having developed projects in some of the world’s most populous cities. Having supplied more than 50 clients, Alstom has made its mark from Sydney to Sao Paulo, Milan to Manila and Athens to Algiers, deploying its full portfolio of turnkey solutions, including the design and building of , through to the supply and ongoing maintenance of rolling stock. But the two projects that Alstom considers to be its most emblematic are much closer to home. They act as international showcases for the company’s ability to exceed customer expectations, and bring continuous improvement to the cities these systems serve. These exemplars for best practice in light rail are in Nottingham and Dublin, which Alstom describes to RAIL as ‘jewels in the crown’ for demonstrating excellence and acting as test beds for many of the company’s latest innovations. Beginning with the East Midlands, it was in Nottingham that Alstom played a central part in facilitating a £570 million extension to Nottingham Express Transit (NET), adding two new lines measuring a combined 17.5km, that more than doubled the size of the that was awarded a 22-year contract in fleet of 15 Bombardier-built Incentros, and to affect sensitive scientific and electrical get to run past hospitals because, certainly Alstom designed a bespoke OLE system network once they opened in August 2015. 2011 to design and build the extension now maintains all 37 vehicles at the newly equipment at the Queen’s Medical Centre in my experience, trying to park at hospitals at Nottingham Express Transit’s Queen’s Alstom formed part of the consortium (known as NET Phase Two) and then to expanded Wilkinson Street depot. (QMC) hospital. is horrendous and often very expensive, Medical Centre stop, to limit electromagnet- take over the operation of all three NET As well as demonstrating Alstom’s ability “The NET line to Beeston and Chilwell so if public transport connections can be ic compatibility issues with sensitive equip- lines upon completion. It also supplied 22 to maintain a mixed fleet, NET Phase Two is the first operational tram line in the UK improved, then everyone benefits.” ment in the adjacent hospital. ALSTOM. of its Citadis trams to bolster the existing features a number of unique design features, to run past a hospital,” says Susan Evans, Nottingham is also the only place in the where Alstom engineers were challenged to Managing Director, Urban & Services, UK where Alstom has used its automated accuracy by being less labour-intensive, as develop innovative and bespoke solutions. Alstom UK & Ireland. “And at the tram laying solution Appitrack. well as generating less noise and dust. It would be good to get cities This included mitigating the effects of stop for the QMC you’ll see that each of the Appitrack consists of a convoy of machines It can lay 80 metres of track per day on noise and vibration with floating slab track OLE [ equipment] masts are synchronised using a 3D guidance system average, which increases to between 300- such as Leeds and Liverpool to where NET passes Nottingham University’s individually fed. That’s designed to limit any to lay concrete track slabs and the baseplates 400 metres per day in favourable conditions, main campus and research areas, and potential impact from any electromagnetic which hold the rails in place. for example dry weather and a straight think more about tramways. addressing the issue of electromagnetic compatibility issues which, of course, we It is said to be three to four times quicker alignment. Susan Evans, Managing Director, compatibility, where overhead wires and wouldn’t want in the vicinity of a hospital. than traditional manual methods, while During construction of NET Phase Two Urban & Services, Alstom UK & Ireland communications systems had the potential “Hopefully we might now see other lines increasing safety, site cleanliness and in 2014, several of Alstom’s other clients

44 45 SPECIAL REPORT A PROMOTION

from across the globe were invited to visit As well as forming a better link between worksites in Nottingham to see Appitrack in Dublin’s Citadis trams HS2 and Nottingham, it would also be action, before being deployed in their own great to get a tram route to Derby. That’s cities. move about 32-35 million certainly something we’d encourage. The Evans adds: “Appitrack has been used to other obvious location to link to HS2 would build tramways at other locations across the passengers a year - the be East Midlands Airport (ten miles to the world, but its use on NET is certainly unique south of Toton, near Castle Donington). in the UK. We made the best use of it we whole of Irish Rail moves “Thinking about other cities, and could and I think the best we achieved was Northern Powerhouse and the opportunities 220 metres one summer’s day, on Queen’s about 42 million. there, it would be quite good to get cities Walk, heading down from the city centre to Nick Phillips, Project Manager Dublin, Alstom such as Leeds and Liverpool to think more the River Trent. about tramways. Cities of the same size in “Appitrack is a cleaner and more efficient infrastructure for the 2016 Olympics. currently scheduled. But it could also be France or Germany usually have a tram process because you don’t need jigs, and But also many other nationalities came extended to Derby, in order to improve links system already.” workers to come along and pour the to see Appitrack at work and the unique between the two neighbouring cities and Meanwhile, more than 200 miles to concrete, the machine lays a slab of concrete technology. During the peak construction HS2. the west and across the Irish Sea, Alstom that supports its own shape, then a GPS- phase we had people coming nearly every “We know some of the other cities that continues to play a pivotal part in the controlled machine places the plates directly week to see it in action, including from already have tramways might start to development of Dublin’s Luas tram system. into the wet concrete. Dublin.” talk about extensions,” explains Evans. Opened in 2004, Alstom was chosen to “You generally avoid any rework that way Evans says that Alstom is hopeful of other “Edinburgh has recently revealed plans to supply the rolling stock, and received an because you’ve got the plates exactly where opportunities to deploy Appitrack in the extend its line, and we’ll be assessing that. order for an initial batch of 40 Citadis trams, you want them, while not having any jigs UK, either in the increasingly likely event A colleague of mine recently went there which subsequently grew to a total of 66. makes everything look like a much tidier that NET is extended further, or in other and said it looked extremely suitable for These trams were originally 30 metres in and modern, more efficient worksite. cities building new or extending existing Appitrack, as the planned route is nice and length, but have since been extended to 40 “We had visitors from a number of systems. NET’s line to Toton is expected to straight and clear. metres by Alstom, as patronage continues Nottingham Express Transit is where Alstom’s Appitrack automated track laying system different cities from around the world, be extended a short distance to the proposed “Obviously, we hope Nottingham to rise and Ireland’s economy continues to made its UK debut, in 2014, accelerating the laying of track by three to four times the normal including Rio de Janeiro, whose tramway site of the East Midlands station on High continues to grow, and we will be keeping an recover from the financial crisis that hit the rate. ALSTOM. was obviously part of the city’s key Speed 2, should it be built by 2033, as is eye on what’s going to happen with Toton. country particularly hard in 2008. In December 2015, Transport of the first trams we delivered to the system’s Dublin is already home to 66 Alstom Citadis trams, but is set to Infrastructure Ireland (TII) gave off another Red Line.” receive seven more 50-metre variants in October. These will be sign of economic recovery, by placing a 36 As has been the case for Nottingham, the longest trams ever supplied by Alstom worldwide. ALSTOM. million euro (£31m) order for seven 50-metre Dublin has also been chosen to showcase Citadis trams - they’ll be the longest single- some of Alstom’s new and innovative unit Citadis trams in the world, once they solutions: equipping two trams with smart enter traffic later this year. meters to analyse energy use, for instance. In 2014, Alstom’s contract to maintain and This was conducted as part of a joint periodically overhaul the Citadis fleet was research programme with the Irish Railway renewed for a further five years to 2019, and Procurement Agency to test optimisation a second contract to maintain the entire Luas solutions such as regenerative braking, system infrastructure was also extended. energy storage and an enhanced air Together, these contracts were worth 53 conditioning control system. million euros (£45.5m), and reflect the level Explains Phillips: “On the back of that we of service offered to both the customer (TII) also trialled a supercapacitor in Dublin as a and the travelling public by Alstom. way of putting regenerative energy back into Nick Phillips, Alstom Ireland’s operation the system. Although it wasn’t for a client director, says: “The 66 Citadis trams in specifically, it proved the technology does Dublin have been extended from 30 metres work. We’ve also been trying out various to 40, which ably demonstrates the modular GIS (geographic information systems) on design. And they’re well used - we move infrastructure and track so we can better about 32-35 million passengers a year, which plan the maintenance. you can compare to the whole of Irish Rail, “We have often highlighted Dublin as a which moves about 42 million. good platform to trial new technologies, “We’re now seeing growth, after the as we were one of the first projects to problems in 2008, and that has brought receive Citadis trams, and so we can higher passenger volumes. To meet that we provide a higher level of feedback on the will provide seven new 50-metre Citadis product which is now in its fifth generation trams, which are the longest trams Alstom worldwide.” provides globally, so it is a first for Dublin As with Nottingham, Dublin’s tram and a first for Alstom. We are retrospectively system also turned heads internationally, applying these larger vehicles to existing and multiple foreign delegations have been infrastructure, so there’s a lot of other hosted by Transport Infrastructure Ireland to work to do, for example increasing traction experience the transformative effect of light current, extending platforms and readjusting rail in the urban environment. signalling, to accommodate the extra length. Phillips concludes: “When you get light “We’re also doing day-to-day maintenance rail systems that work, and are cost effective, of the existing fleet right up to vehicle reliable and safe, like here in Dublin, then a overhaul and bogie overhaul. The 300,000km lot of people are quite happy to copy that.” overhaul was completed in 2015, and we’ve And so it would seem where Alstom leads, just started the 900,000km overhaul on some others will follow. ■

46 47 LIGHT RAIL Metro in the pink

The Midland Metro Alliance is taking a new approach to the Midland Metro’s fleet of 21 CAF Urbos 3 trams entered traffic in 2014/15, and are to be retrofitted Birmingham conurbation’s tram network, and setting some with batteries to enable catenary free running on planned extensions to the network towards laudable long-term goals, writes RICHARD CLINNICK Wolverhampton and Centenary Square. CENTRO.

hile Manchester grabs all the was approved in 2005. We opened part of it associated with projects may be high in the Colas Rail and General Manager of Tranvia Group). go hunting for the stop. And the new plan headlines for tram expansions, in May last year, and it links from Snow Hill. early days, as the team practises and refines de Zaragoza in Spain; there he gained Hewitt says: “The original plan was a saves money.” Midland Metro is quietly “We have planned a series of extensions to standardised practices, so the cost can be experience in delivering a tram network free for a single-track line and stop - basically a The first major project for the Alliance is Wgrowing under the media’s be delivered over time. There are also some reduced.” from overhead catenary, something that headshunt. The Alliance respecified that. It is actually a renewal scheme further south, at radar which, perhaps, explains why many small but complicated improvements to be There are several projects planned, will be introduced on two sections of the now more robust and features improvements Bilston Road. The track there is 20 years old people are unaware of it. Surprisingly, some made.” including new routes, fleet expansion and Midland Metro system. to the location. Passengers will not have to and is on an ‘A’ road. Replacement is needed of those ‘unaware’ people live in the very The size of the contracts, coupled with the the introduction of the UK’s first catenary- The Alliance changed the plans at as the track is life-expired. Explains Hewitt: areas it serves. complex nature of the work required, is the free tram routes. Hewitt explains how these Wolverhampton, says Hewitt. Moreno We want to build a “This is big. The original design is also hard But much like Manchester, the Midland reason for the creation of the Midland Metro schemes will work. explains: “The idea is the Alliance brings to replace due to the way it was built. We’re Metro is soon to have its own ‘Big Bang’ Alliance, which brings all the contractors and Starting at the north of the network, in international experience. All nine companies Midland Metro putting in a lot of effort to ensure that one expansion, including playing a crucial role the owner of the Midland Metro line into a Wolverhampton, the plans are to extend in the Alliance have experience from France, lane of road traffic can still use the road.” in the development of Birmingham, Solihull single team. Under this approach, the system from the existing St Georges stop to serve Singapore and Malaysia. They have LRT academy. We want to Moreno chips in: “The whole plan is to and Dudley. It will also connect to HS2 when will expand using one standardised set of Wolverhampton’s national network station. market understanding and know what is keep the road open. It is an industrial area the £55.7 billion railway arrives in the city, processes led by the same managers. Hewitt says: “We’ll introduce the tram needed.” improve training by and it needs good access.” in 2026. Says Hewitt: “Every major project spends from right outside the station entrance. The partners making up the Midland The Alliance studied various construction Growth and expansion, says Transport for time and resources trying to reinvent the Accessibility will be hugely improved.” Metro Alliance are: the West Midlands bringing people in and solutions, and settled on a plan which will West Midlands Midland Metro Programme wheel. This approach changes all that. We In charge of delivering this project is Combined Authority, the design consortium allow for three or four basic track renewals Director Phil Hewitt, has already started. want to develop and maintain a consistent Alejandro Moreno. Previously Managing of Egis, Tony Gee and Pell Frischmann and nurturing local skills. before the slab that supports the track will And it will continue for the next seven years system of project management. And with a Director in Scandinavia for Colas Rail, he contractor Colas Rail, (supported by their need replacing again. “It’s a sound life cycle as the network undergoes massive growth. consistent approach, people get used to it and will head up the Alliance. His previous roles sub-alliance partners Colas Limited, Barhale, Alejandro Moreno, prediction as it’s based on what Alliance “The city centre extension to Edgbaston can develop their skills. So while the costs also include MD for Central Europe for Bouygues UK and Auctus Management Director, Midland Metro Alliance partners have observed in numerous other

48 49 LIGHT RAIL

tramways abroad,” says Hewitt. “The All nine companies in the Alliance have design we have currently is a result of the UK The site of the future of the Wolverhampton Station extension with rediscovering how to build tramways, and it experience from France, Singapore and the existing line to the St George’s terminus, as seen looking south east from uses principles from that early knowledge. the junction of Pipers Row and Bilston Street on May 30 2016, with the distinc- Experience and knowhow acquired in other Malaysia. They have LRT market tive Bilston Street Island tramway bridge in left background. MIKE HADDON. countries means we know a lot more now.” He says that this particular project is understanding and know what is needed. essential. “We will bring in catenary-less trams for the new section at Wolverhampton Alejandro Moreno, Director, Midland Metro Alliance so this has to be ready. Wolverhampton might be the first to get catenary-free confident it will work.” “You cannot underestimate the impact of running, but it’s a toss-up between there and Centenary Square is not planned to be the HS2 and devolution on schemes. Centenary Square.” final stop on this route. “The next bit is the “When you look at rising congestion and The Centenary Square work involves extension to Edgbaston. The final business deteriorating air quality, light rail may be a building an 840-metre section of twin-track case is going through and we will submit it good business to be in.” tramway from Birmingham Grand Central to the combined board on March 17. It will Passenger figures suggest people are at Stephensen Street, up Pinfold Street go forward to the Department for Transport making use of the system more, now that and ending up at Centenary Square. An for their contribution. We then submit an it serves key areas like Grand Central. intermediate stop is being built outside the application for a Transport and Works Act Hewitt says that since the extension opened, Town Hall in Victoria Square, where it will Order (TWAO). The majority of the powers patronage has risen by 40% in the first meet the Navigation Street link. are still there.” calendar year “...and 25-30% year-on-year on There will be no overhead wires, but a This work is over around 1.35km (just over top of the growth we had last year already. charging point will be required. Says Hewitt: 0.8 miles), and runs from the Centenary We opened the new section and introduced “The reality is the tram is a selling point. It Square stop on Broad Street before running the new CAF trams. That makes a better does attract people and business.” He says of through Five Ways, before terminating service. We run ten trams per hour - it’s a the wire-free plans: “Battery technology has outside 54 Hagley Road. It will be an better offering that maximises use of what moved on. CAF [Construcciones de Auxilliar entirely on-street section. Two tram stops we have now.” Ferrocarriles - the builder of Midland Metro’s are planned at Brindleyplace and Five Ways. Another planned extension with huge new trams, and which is converting the first Catenary-free running is planned from potential is the 1.7km twin-track section tram in Zaragoza right now] is more than Centenary Square and Brindleyplace, and from the current line at Bull Street/ between Five Ways and Hagley Road. Corporation Street to a new terminus at High The view at the future site of the Centenary But if, as Hewitt says, the powers are still in Street Deritend. This will serve the planned Square tram stop, looking west along Broad place, why go through this process? “As with Curzon Street HS2 station, the Eastside Street on October 28 2014. From this loca- so many tram schemes, the money dried up regeneration area and the major railway tion the tracks will eventually be extended in 2005-2007,” he says. But there has been a stations. to Five Ways and Edgbaston. MIKE HADDON. new wave of projects, and Hewitt advises: A TWAO was submitted in October 2016.

Says Hewitt: “We are negotiating with cost £300 million, and the plan is for it to be team with predicting what will be needed objectors and an inquiry into the TWAO operational in 2023. He chuckles: “We have for success in 2030. We need to think will take place this summer. We have an certainly given Alejandro a challenge.” ahead to that. Do we increase the number application for powers and the funding for Moreno accepts the challenge and talks of trams, and by how much? Will we need the scheme is in place. of the bigger picture: “It is going to make a new depots? We think it will result in some “The scheme is relatively short but it’s a huge change. It will transform the economy.” interesting proposals.” game-changer. It will allow cross-city links. Hewitt agrees: “It is a game-changer for Moreno is ready for the task, and aims to We will have created a delta junction. the West Midlands, it opens up the Black use experience gained elsewhere. “The key “If all goes well, we’ll get approval in the Country. I have no doubt this will be a point is that if we don’t have set new targets next year. Building will begin in 2019 and it success story. It will create job opportunities then we won’t deliver. We want to work out will open in 2023.” and it will be more attractive. There are lots what the ideal scenario will be in 2030. Those The Alliance has begun route clearance for of buses now, but they are on increasingly were the plans. the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill extension, busy roads. Trams have real potential.” “We have a roadmap of the project on the which will use a disused railway. The The final big project is the 17km wall. We know where we’ll need to be in ten twin-track 11km route will access Dudley airport line. “This is very much about the years’ time, and we are hitting our targets town centre and branches off the existing regeneration and growth of Solihull, and along the way.” Midland Metro line east of the current depot improving access to job opportunities,” Finally, Moreno insists the Alliance is not at Wednesbury. Again, a TWAO exists, says Hewitt. “It is providing the link to the just creating infrastructure, but improving but money curtailed the original plans. “It rest of the UK, central Birmingham and the skillsets in the area. “We want to build is included in the devolution deal, so we interchanges with the airport. a Midland Metro academy. We want to are refreshing the business case,” explains “There are already good links, but improve training by bringing people in and Hewitt. this is about local transport. This is about the nurturing local skills. This move is about Moreno explains: “It’s really an abandoned tram scheme, not rapid links. demonstrating our loyalty to the project railway and it has been so for 20 years. We “2026 is the planned opening. It’s subject to and the area, and about giving people are doing clearance of the whole area. There’s obtaining a TWAO, and business cases being professional skills as a result.” a lot of knotweed in there! Also, we are successful, but it is part of the devolution Hewitt agrees: “Our ten-year programme talking to Network Rail about removal of deal. We are working on the TWAO means that if we train now they will be some infrastructure. Surveying starts soon application and we aim to submit it in 2020.” working on the Metro in ten years’ time. We and that is a key task, particularly in areas The Alliance uses a standardised aim to give people a long-term plan and a such as Parkway Viaduct.” methodology to predict and meet future future.” Hewitt says the bottom line is “putting targets. Hewitt explains: “To deliver on all The Alliance is building the West transport where the people need it.” It will these plans, we have tasked Alejandro’s Midlands’ future in more ways than one. ■

50 51 SPECIAL REPORT A PROMOTION THE FOUR PILLARS OF AFFORDABLE LRT PAUL STEPHEN speaks to Systra’s UK Metro & LRT Programme Director NICOLAS PERROT, on the company’s four-pronged approach to cost-effective delivery of tramways in the UK

ystra is an international transport boast modern tramways compared with planning, consultancy and 29 in France, despite both nations having engineering provider, and needs little broadly similar populations. Sintroduction. Having operated in This can be attributed to the significant over 150 countries across the globe, it already variance in cost that has been experienced has a substantial presence in the UK and constructing UK tramways, which has Ireland, with more than 400 staff working subsequently made it an unattractive option from 17 offices. to local councils. It is also a growing company. Systra has Many studies have found the expense completed the acquisition of two UK-based of diverting utilities such as gas and water consultancies: JMP in 2015, followed by SIAS mains as the primary driver of increased in 2016. costs. But Perrot argues that you cannot apply It has also played a key part in leading the the same model to each tramway, given the delivery of several of the UK’s most high- diverse range of factors that can affect cost, for profile rail projects, including managing the instance running through city centre streets development of the design, procurement, versus utilising a disused railway alignment. construction and commissioning of Instead, Systra uses the breadth of its global Crossrail, EGIP (Edinburgh-Glasgow experience to mitigate risk, and control capital Improvement Programme) and High and operating expenditure, which it has split Speed 1. into four distinct areas. But one area in which the company would “Cost seems to be a big factor in like to demonstrate more of its expertise is discouraging many cities from progressing have that in abundance. The fact that our The French city of Besançon’s tram system is nine miles long and serves 31 stops. It opened in priority when making decisions for new light rail, by importing the lessons learned in this direction. Market conditions in France skilled people have worked on so many 2014 and cost less than £14 million per km to construct. Systra consulted on the project tramways, says Perrot. Focusing on cost is from its vast portfolio of overseas clients. are comparable to the UK, but people here projects around the world is what makes us including the procurement of rolling stock and power supply. P. JOURDAIN/SYSTRA. essential, even if it means incurring a delay “We want to grow considerably in the UK seem more afraid. That’s why we are keen to different. in the construction sequence, he adds. and Ireland. It’s important for us to have our bring our experience of cost control to this “We work on the principle of four pillars it is operational. Systra will also advise on Perrot points to the French cities of Dijon “Safety is the first priority, then you must staff close to our clients,” says Systra’s UK country, and also highlight all the ways we in making tramways affordable. They will the use of cost-effective materials, such and Brest, which bundled together their factor in the cost element as the main driver Metro & LRT Programme Director Nicolas can tailor things for each UK city. never be cheap, but they can be financially as deactivated concrete, which can be ten procurement of 32 and 20 trams respectively, of the project, as focusing on cost is what Perrot. “We have a thorough understanding of the viable. Cost is a big turn-off at the moment, times cheaper for ground surfacing than sharing the same specification, which will enable you to control it. From our own “We have led the design and construction problems a light rail project can raise, which but somewhere between £15 million and pavements. cut costs by almost 10% compared with experience, we know that if you focus on of 500km of light rail systems across the is how we came to the conclusion that there £20m per km is very feasible. Perrot says that decisions about alignment the average for projects that procured the cost, you must then allow flexibility in time. world. Modern tramways are already is no set formula for making savings. “I understand why cities baulk at the idea, are equally important: “We have seen lots same rolling stock. He says that in the UK, If you allow a margin into project schedules working well around the world, and in some “You cannot just say ‘beware of track but when you look at the cities that have of projects where technicians encounter transport authorities such as Transport for you will put fewer constraints on engineers UK cities. And there are certainly more works costs or building stations’ because built a light rail system, such as Manchester, problems trying to build a tramway where the North could help facilitate this as a broker and they will be less likely to make costly opportunities for light rail systems elsewhere there is no fixed rule, which makes the cost Birmingham or Edinburgh, they now the alignment has already been fixed, for between two cities for procurement, but also decisions.” in this country.” issue a difficult one to solve. What you do want to extend those systems, because the political or traffic management purposes. sharing maintenance and depot facilities in Finally, the fourth pillar is project It’s easy to see the potential for light rail need here is a very broad experience of benefits have made it worth the cost.” Our advice there is to involve technical some instances. organisation, and while it’s last on Perrot’s in the UK when only seven of its cities can working in different global cities, and we Perrot explains that these four pillars people in your feasibility study and you’ll The second pillar is collaborative list, it certainly isn’t least in Systra’s light rail are concept and design, contractual save money down the line. engineering and awarding contracts to those recipe. engineering, managing cost control, and “You can also do things like place suppliers that share risk and reward for “For a tram project to be a success, you The fact that our skilled project organisation. substations every 2km instead of every construction - this will ultimately incentivise need to maintain a clear, overall vision of Starting with the first, Systra has a 1.5km, using optimisation techniques, more efficient delivery. its finished state. Tram systems are very people have worked on so many lot of sensible advice for clients in the which could save more than £2m in a 15km “The tender phase is key to the project: complex and if you lack experience or initial stages of planning, in which costly tramway project. It’s not about having one do it wrong and you’ll never recover,” adds the necessary background then you will projects around the world is mistakes are frequently made. This includes big cost-saving idea, it’s about saving £1-2m Perrot. “So it is about clear definition of the overlook important things. intensively supervising utility diversion here and there - and wherever possible - to requirements, and people understanding “You must build a multi-disciplinary team what makes us different. work to avoid unnecessary delays, and bring down the total cost.” their responsibilities from early on.” who, collectively, understand every aspect Nicolas Perrot, designing these diversions to avoid utility More cost-effective decisions can also be Cost control is the third pillar, which must of what it takes to build a cost-effective, UK Metro & LRT Programme Director, Systra maintenance disrupting the tramway once made with rolling stock procurement, and come a close second to safety as the main financially sustainable tramway.” ■

52 53 LIGHT RAIL

These, it says, will mean the city centre will become even more important and FUNDING that the strategy will seek The main funding source is Central is possible with short-term funding An even greater to maximise the benefits of strategic rail Government. In 2014, Greater streams.” services to the region. It does hint that in Manchester was awarded money from Another income source is via funding the future a second rapid transit hub could the Local Growth Fund (LGF) of £314 competitions targeted at specific policy be created at Manchester Airport, but million for major schemes (costing objectives. TfGM has been successful this proposal will remain on paper for the more than £5m) and £15.2m for small with these before, and it says it will foreseeable future. schemes (costing less than £5m) for the continue to present the case for The immediate priorities highlighted in period 2015-16 to 2020-21. investment. the 2040 Strategy Document include providing As part of the Greater Manchester Brexit is a concern. TfGM adds: Manchester additional cross-city capacity in the Regional Devolution Deal, TfGM secured “The decision for the UK to leave the Centre for existing and future rail-based Government commitment to establishing European Union will clearly impact on rapid transit services, and this features the a multi-year transport settlement for the funding, given that Greater Manchester potential for tunnelling beneath the city. medium term. This, says TfGM: “reflects has previously benefited from a number ritain’s largest and most successful This was first mooted in the 1970s, to link the growth potential of the conurbation.” of European programmes. We will Light Rail network, Manchester Tram-trains seem to be the perfect fit for Piccadilly and Victoria stations. Securing these funds, it says, will work with the Government to identify Metrolink, celebrated the successful Manchester’s new, unified approach to public Other priorities include converting enable TfGM to “plan ahead and alternative means of funding for Bcompletion of its ‘Big Bang’ suburban rail services that have a relatively use resources more effectively than strategically significant projects. expansion on February 26, when the Second transport, reports RICHARD CLINNICK poor financial performance to metro-style City Crossing (2CC) opened. services, where there is a good financial Next on the agenda is the construction of integrated public transport network for railway lines) offer the potential to deliver case and the potential to attract both peak journeys than with a stopping bus service. running more four-car trams. the route to the Trafford Centre, due to open meeting the needs of different parts of the metro services to more areas without laying and off-peak passengers. This, states TfGM, According to TfGM, developing new bus- In the medium-term (to 2030), TfGM in 2020, and which will finally provide a rail city and its surrounding areas. new track. would be achieved by track-sharing between based rapid transit routes to the Regional adds that it is seeking to develop and deliver link from the city centre to the major out-of- It has already identified the changes “The tram-train approach can help to light and heavy rail services. Centre from areas poorly served by heavy tram-trains as it looks to “improve rapid town retail and leisure complex. needed and devised various new operating improve access to the city centre at peak and TfGM wants to provide additional capacity rail could, in time, create opportunities for transit connectivity into and across the But Transport for Greater Manchester practices. This means that “traditional off-peak times, while also releasing valuable to accommodate predicted growth on other future Metrolink routes. Regional Centre and develop potential cross- (TfGM) is already looking far beyond that; boundaries” between heavy and light rail capacity on the heavy rail network.” suburban heavy rail services to the Regional So that’s ‘how’. What about ‘when’? city metro proposals to complement the it’s looking more than 20 years down the line and bus networks will become increasingly It also states that: “Where demand is not Centre, while ensuring excellent local rapid TfGM suggests that in the short-term Northern Powerhouse Rail network.” to meet the demands of a growing city in the blurred. “We will now be able to focus on sufficiently high for rail-based rapid transit, transit connections with the Northern (until the early 2020s), capacity demands Long-term (from the mid-2030s), TfGM UK’s Northern Powerhouse. providing the right rapid transit system to other types of rapid transit, such as busways, Powerhouse and HS2. As part of that, it also will be met by the new 2CC, along with the seeks to implement cross-city rapid transit In its 2040 Strategy Document, TfGM meet the existing and future travel markets segregated bus lanes and express bus proposes the creation of a network hub at Northern Hub works and the introduction capacity enhancements (potentially through has looked to address the issues facing its in Greater Manchester, and to support services can offer many of the same benefits Piccadilly. of enhanced, higher capacity heavy rail tunnelled metro services) and deliver transport systems (not just Metrolink, but the significant population and economic with much lower infrastructure costs. They New sections of a rapid transit route will services. And then there’s the delivery of the suburban rail enhancements to complement road and , as well as the local growth.” may also serve to build up demand for be built, says TfGM, but only where there are Trafford Park line, and the chance to increase Northern Powerhouse rail. bus network) and tried to find solutions to To meet these goals, TfGM is examining rapid transit to a point where a Metrolink opportunities to provide substantially faster capacity on the busiest Metrolink lines by Manchester has led the way in the UK the looming capacity and connectivity issue. the possibility of using tram-trains. They extension can be justified in the future.” for light rail, and it now wants to transform TfGM says in its report that: “While are nothing new in Europe, but the first UK The regional centre for the area will On February 26, the opening day of Manchester’s Second City Crossing (2CC), Trams 3083 and the way the system serves the city, while the concept of integration is not new, the trial, planned for Sheffield, has been delayed. continue to be Manchester city centre. 3108 pass along Cross Street. This project marks the completion of the £1.5 billion ‘Big Bang’ embracing up-to-date technology. Following delivery of a truly integrated transport Proposed in 2009, there are now seven tram- This will continue because of the high expansion of the Manchester Metrolink system that started in 2009. By 2040, TfGM wants to the success of Metrolink, you would not bet system has, in the last 30 years, been beyond trains in the UK, but the infrastructure is concentration of what TfGM calls “trip introduce tram-trains as part of a major shake-up in connectivity across the city. RUSSELL WYKES. against it working again. ■ our reach due to a range of regulatory and not ready, and so is not yet in place for their attractors” and also the role it plays as institutional barriers.” introduction onto the national rail network. the key interchange node in the Greater It says it will now stop treating the Nevertheless, TfGM discusses tram-trains Manchester public transport network. different modes of transport as separate in its strategy. It reasons: “in the medium The strategy highlights new inter-city rail entities, and instead plan its system as a term, tram-trains (vehicles which can travel services being created by HS2 and trans- single, integrated network. This, it says, will on both street tramway and all-purpose Pennine Northern Powerhouse rail services. enable TfGM to prioritise investment in improvements where they are needed. “We will enhance our public transport so that bus, rail and tram services and WHAT NEXT? facilities are planned and delivered in a With Transport for Greater Manchester requirements of different journey types much more integrated way to minimise the laying out its plans, the key question is is “innovative” and it has been able to time and cost penalties of changing between what happens next? take: “a holistic view of the investment services,” it says. TfGM says its strategy “sets out needed: to improve connectivity to In the next 22 years, TfGM says it will take how investment in new transport global markets; transform journey a much broader view of rapid transit, and infrastructure, delivery of services times to other major cities; capitalise will focus on building the most appropriate, and maintenance of existing assets on the potential of a rapidly growing will be focused to support growth in Regional Centre; create better the widest sense. It recognises that transport links between jobs and Tram-trains offer improving access to jobs and training, homes across the metropolitan area and improving the health of the and, finally, provide ‘first and last mile’ the potential to deliver population, are essential aspects of connections within neighbourhoods improving productivity, while improving that will make sustainable travel an metro services to more the quality of many of our urban areas attractive option.” will be a pre-requisite for attracting Over the next five years, it says, areas without laying investment.” various schemes will be delivered, and new track. It claims that the focus on paid for out of the Local Growth Fund.

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