Posted 23rd February 2010 | 5 Comments

MPs urge DfT to be ‘fairer’ over new tram schemes

THE Department for Transport should be fairer when evaluating proposals for more trams, say MPs.  A cross-party Parliamentary inquiry has concluded that light rail schemes can help to transform urban transport systems, but that the present DfT methods are tending to discriminate against urban and street-running rail.

The report from the All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group stresses that to bring back trams to more city streets there’s a need for a clearer lead from Government, less bias against them during appraisal, and for costs to be brought under control.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, who chaired the inquiry, said: “Where the UK has invested in modern trams we have seen motorists switching to the tram and impressive growth in passenger numbers. However, progress has been slow and fitful – certainly when compared with our near neighbours in Europe, where entire systems are being built in the time it takes us to get through mountains of paperwork.

“We wanted to see how we could put the future of modern trams on to a sounder footing. Our report suggests that leadership and co-ordination is key.”

The report says that although there have been some improvements in the way the DfT approaches light rail proposals, it still lacks a light rail strategy or centre of expertise, and neither does it treat light rail in the same way as other modes. There is also a tendency to micro-manage from the centre. Elsewhere in Europe, schemes are generally completed more quickly and efficiently, and often benefit from devolved decisions and local funding.

It points out that trams can bring many benefits, including reducing carbon emissions, improving air quality and aiding urban regeneration, which are not being fully taken into account.

The passenger transport executive group pteg is welcoming the report. Light rail spokesman Geoff Inskip said: “We fully support the MPs’ findings and the recommendations of the inquiry. The report presents a balanced picture of where the debate on the future of light rail in the UK has got to. It also sets out practical and helpful recommendations on the steps that government, promoters and the light rail industry should take to provide a better framework for developing tram schemes in the future. The MPs have mapped out a way forward for us – it’s now down to us, in partnership with Government and industry, to work through these recommendations.”

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • derek, Glasgow, Scotland

    Glasgow is upgrading its Subway system with driverless trains,it also has the largest urban rail network outside london which is only half used.some of the disused lines and bridges and tunnels are screaming out for light rail.it could link up to its subway system.therefor etending its reach.

  • K Alexander-Duggan, March Cambridge, England

    The Government clearly prefer Misguided Busways

    The Cambridgeshire one is now 18 months late opening and counting,
    £40 millon cost overrun and climbing. £160 millon for 12 miles
    of busway on the old St Ives - Cambridge railline, The track was ripped
    up to lay the unwanted thing

  • A Rendell, Gosport, UK

    In 2004 Alistair Darling turned down the LRT system for south Hampshire serving Gosport, Fareham and Portsmouth despite the fact there is a disused rail route in place already. Eventually it would have linked Southampton and Wickham (where a new town is being built). The local community is crying out for it but he said it would be too expensive.

    Gosport is gridlocked every morning and evening as there is no alternative. Even the public transport option uses the same road.

    We will now be getting a dedicated bus route that nobody wants on part of the route – the local community have blocked it (so far) because it is a pointless exercise and viewed by many as a new link road by stealth.

  • Pete, Chippenham, England

    Anyone wishing to see what we in the UK are being denied by Government take a look at www.trams-in-france.net.

  • Dean, Düsseldorf, Germany

    you only have to go to Düsseldorf to see how an integrated public transport system should work.

    periodically, where possible, they are also putting the tram lines underground. Couple this with sequenced traffic lights and you see exactly how a city should manage its infrastructure.

    I live here and it is so easy to get anywhere, but car, bus, tram or train

    I used to live in Leeds, never have I seen a bigger contrast in the capabilities of public transport