‘A bit of a mess’: Sheffield residents react as Supertram works cause disruption
“It can be a bit inconvenient, especially when someone’s just trying to go to work.”
Sheffield residents have described Supertram travel as “a bit of a mess” as major improvement works bring revised routes, replacement buses and longer journeys across the city.
The three-week programme began on Saturday, August 8, with extensive engineering works taking place at the Delta Junction at Park Square Roundabout.
The junction is where all of Sheffield’s Supertram routes intersect and is being upgraded with new track, points, signalling equipment and pedestrian crossings.
Further work is also taking place near Hyde Park, where tracks are being replaced as they cross Bernard Road.
The works are expected to run until August 31, with all tram services operating on revised routes and timetables in the meantime.
For some passengers, the changes have already meant getting off trams, finding replacement buses and walking between stops.
Julie was travelling to Weston Park when she encountered the disruption.
She said: “It’s school holiday, isn’t it? It affects a lot of people with kids.
“We’re heading to Weston Park now, but we had to get off, get a bus, get off, walk for another one. It’s a bit of a mess, but we can’t do anything about it.”
Other passengers said the changes could prove particularly frustrating for people relying on the tram to get to work.
Chris said: “It can be a bit inconvenient, especially when someone’s just trying to go to work.
“A delay of five or ten minutes can make you late for work.”
For Jill, the changes have meant rethinking her usual journey into Sheffield city centre.
She normally drives into town to Nunnery Square before taking the tram, but said the works had forced her to consider alternative options.
She said: “They do have to do the engineering works, so I understand.
“Normally I drive into town to Nunnery Square and then tram in, but obviously you can’t.
“I then thought, well, I’ll get the tram from Halfway because I live on that route, but I’ve got to walk from the station to then get the tram home.
“It’s an inconvenience, but it has to be done.”
The changes mean the Blue and Yellow routes are being split into separate services, while the Purple route will run between Sheffield Station and Herdings Park.
The Tram Train will operate between Woodbourn Road and Parkgate.
Replacement buses are also running, including services between Cathedral and Granville Road and between Cathedral and Woodbourn Road.
Passengers have been warned that longer journey times are likely, particularly during peak periods.
The works form part of a multi-million-pound investment aimed at improving the reliability of the Supertram network.
Melanie Corcoran, executive director of transport at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “This multi-million pound investment we're making will create a more reliable network for all of us who depend on Supertram every day.
“The investment is essential if we're going to build a tram network that is fit for the future and will serve us well in the next 30 years.
“We know carrying out this work will mean some disruption during the school holidays, and we're grateful for everyone’s understanding while it's completed.
“Supertram is at the heart of the South Yorkshire People's Network that we're building together – creating a public transport system that is more reliable, better connected and makes it easier for everyone to get to work, education and opportunities.”
The revised services will remain in place until August 31.