Decision details

To approve the appointment of a supplier (Volker Rail) to undertake rail replacement works in Sheffield City Centre including Cathedral and Commercial Street at a value of £903,565.

Approve Call Off One from the TIF for Volker Rail to undertake rail replacement works at the Cathedral tram stop and on Commercial Street at a value of £903,565

• Not undertake the works – maintenance of the rail is essential to the safe operation of the tram network. The point work at Cathedral is heavily worn and replacement is required as soon as practicable. Failure to address the issues could lead to the closure of this critical section of track resulting in trams not being able to serve the city centre or the lines north west, e.g. to Middlewood and Malin Bridge.

• Undertake remedial repair works. SYFTL has already undertaken significant remediation work in an attempt to extend the life of the points. They have reported no further remedial work is practical and there is a high risk of failure.

• Undertake planned repair works at all sites. The estimated total value of the planned works for 2024 is £7.8M comprising works valued at £5M, consultants’ fees, staff costs, tram replacement bus service costs and other smaller items e.g. isolation costs and Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders (TTRO) costs. This is in excess of the funding available at present

• Undertake planned repair works at Cathedral and Commercial Street sites which sit within the remaining budgets

It should be noted that to meet the timelines for commitment for the remainder of the planned works in 2024 a further £6.3m will be required and orders placed with Volker Rail in early May.