We are delighted to announce that Colas Rail UK will be starting the second year of the South Yorkshire Supertram embedded rail repair project programme for our valued client, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA).
Our specialist Urban Division will once again lead the charge, focusing on essential upgrades to the concrete trackslab, highway infrastructure, and encapsulating polymer surrounding the rails on Sheffield’s light rail system.
Year Two’s spotlight is on West Street, right in the heart of Sheffield city centre, one of the highest traffic stretches on the entire Supertram network. Our continued work here ensures smoother journeys, greater safety, and long-term resilience for this vital public transport corridor.
Why West Street? Because Safety Leads the Way!
Following in-depth surveys carried out by Colas Rail UK, West Street was identified as a top priority for Year Two of the Supertram repair programme. The findings highlighted the need for targeted improvements to safeguard road users, pedestrians, and tram passengers, ensuring this key stretch of Sheffield’s light rail network remains safe, efficient, and future-ready.
In total, the team will be replacing over 2600m of rail adjoining polymer, with the team already starting work on repairing sections of defective concrete track slab and associated highways.
To keep Sheffield moving, our construction programme is scheduled during designated tram engineering hours, deliberately timed to avoid disruption to regular tram services. This strategic approach helps us minimise the impact on commuters, pedestrians, and the wider public, ensuring essential repairs are delivered while daily travel flows uninterrupted.
Speaking about the contract award, Colas Rail UK Project Manager, Hamish Falconer said “The team we have working in Sheffield are very skilled and committed to ensuring we deliver a quality product which ultimately ensures not only the safety and reliability of the light rail network in Sheffield but also ensures the safety of the local stakeholders and also commuters whether they’re in cars, on buses and pedestrians.
“We very much look forward to continuing to provide an excellent service to our client and the people of South Yorkshire.”
SYMCA Principal Project Manager, Sarah Palmer said: “Supertram is vital to connecting our communities and helping to build a bigger and better economy in South Yorkshire. SYMCA has been pleased with the work Colas Rail UK has undertaken since May, as the rate of progress has been exceptional on West Street.
The Colas Rail UK Project Team has shown professionalism and commitment, delivering these essential repairs which are critical to extend the lifespan of one of South Yorkshire’s best loved modes of transport.”
First published: 11th August 2025