News Release issued by
the COI News Distribution Service on 20 September 2011
Light rail has a
future in this country if capital costs can be reduced Local
Transport Minister Norman Baker said today as he published a
review looking at how trams can be more cost effective in the future.
Despite tram passenger numbers being at record levels, high
building costs have meant that even where passenger forecasts may
justify its consideration, light rail has often not been seen as
an affordable option for local transport authorities.
Recommendations from the review for local authorities and
industry include;
to implement a new project design of light rail systems which is
uniform across the industry;
to look at lower cost schemes overseas to see whether they could
be adopted in this country; and
to set up a ‘centre of procurement excellence’ to advise on the
best procurement options.
Norman Baker said:
“Light rail is good for passengers, good for local economics,
good for the local environment and it’s a mode of public transport
that passengers really enjoy using – that is why I’m committed to
doing everything we can to bring costs down to make it a viable
option for more communities.
“In the past light rail systems have been seen as expensive and
an unaffordable option for local authorities to pursue – I
initiated this review so we can get to the nub of the problem.
“I now urge all parts of the light rail sector to work together
on implementing these recommendations and I look forward to
working with them towards these exciting opportunities.”
Findings show that light rail has the potential to provide high
capacity transport into and around major conurbations which
reduces congestion, supports growth and improves regeneration
opportunities. The Department will therefore hold a summit of the
light rail sector to agree a sector-led implementation plan for
getting light rail on the right track.
The report found that one of the main reasons for high
construction costs is the need to divert and locate utilities
which lie under the road where the tram is to be built e.g. water
and gas main pipes. The Department for Transport will now launch a
consultation to seek views on how this system can be simplified
and ultimately how costs can be reduced costs.
Notes to Editors
1. The light rail review report ‘Green Light for Light Rail’
published today is available at:
www.dft.gov.uk/publications/green-light-for-light-rail 2. The
terms of reference for this review were: · what are the key cost
drivers for light rail?; and · what steps could be taken to help
make this mode more cost effective in the future? 3. In the latest
light rail and tram statistics published in August 2011, passenger
journeys in England for light rail and tram systems have shown to
have increased by 5.5 per cent between 2009/10 and 2010/11 with
196.5 million passenger journeys in 2010/11. This represents the
highest number of passenger journeys to date. 4. There are eight
tramway/light rail systems currently in operation in England.
These are in Croydon, London's Docklands, Birmingham,
Manchester, Sheffield, Tyne and Wear, Nottingham and Blackpool.5.
There are currently a number of extensions to the Manchester
Metrolink system under construction, funded with Central
Government support and which will see Metrolink extended to Oldham
and Rochdale, as well as Ashton-Under-Lyne and East Didsbury.
Further extensions to the system are under active consideration by
Transport for Greater Manchester, the local transport authority,
using local sources of funding. In addition, the upgrade to the
Blackpool and Fleetwood tramway is well underway and is nearing
completion, as well as work commencing on the modernisation of the
Tyne and Wear Metro. 6. Further extensions to existing networks
are also close to final approval. These include extensions to the
Midland Metro Line One into Birmingham city centre and to the
Nottingham Express Transit system. In addition a new tram system
in Edinburgh is being developed. 7. Today’s report builds on
action already taken since May 2010 in support of light rail,
including: · removing the requirement for light rail schemes to
have a higher proportion of local contributions compared to other
modes; · providing funding support to a number of light rail
schemes; and · supporting a tram train pilot in South Yorkshire
and working with Hertfordshire County Council/Network Rail on the
possibility of converting the St Albans Abbey Line to light rail.
8. The review has considered evidence from the various inquiries
that have taken place previously. This includes findings from the
reports published by the National Audit Office, the Transport
Select Committee and the All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group.
Further evidence was also provided by other organisations such as
UKTram and scheme promoters, as well as research on costs of major
infrastructure projects undertaken overseas for which the
Department is very grateful. 9. No consultancy costs were incurred
in producing this report or the work that was undertaken. Press
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