Trams to Newhaven

The Trams to Newhaven Project’s latest construction programme update issued on 25 March 2022 confirms that the project continues to be on schedule for a spring 2023 open for service date and within the £207.3m agreed as part of the Final Business Case. The last construction programme update was issued in November 2021.

As the project enters the final year of major civil work ahead of testing and commissioning this winter, a review of the specific completion dates for remaining sections has been carried out. This has resulted in some changes affecting certain sections due to various unavoidable factors such as complex utilities diversions, archaeological finds and an industry wide shortage of materials, though this is not expected to affect the final completion date.

• View our construction phasing map (PDF)
• View our latest progress route map (PDF)

Dates for the individual sections are detailed below

Localised works will continue on carriage and footways to resolve defects, install equipment to support the new tram line including tram communication systems, tram stop fit outs, the installation of overhead line equipment, street lighting, landscaping, and traffic signalling.

Key statistics to date

• Over 3,000 metres of track slab laid, almost 70% of the total
• 90% of utility diversions completed
• Almost 4,000 metres of communications ducting installed (82% of the total) serving the tram and future communication requirements in the area
• Over 3,000 metres of drainage installed (66% of the total)
• Main construction works completed on 3 out of the 8 new tram stops
• Over 60,000 deliveries from the logistic hubs to local businesses
• Over 20,000 itison vouchers sold, generating over £200,000 spend in participating businesses on the route.
• Over 140 applications to the business continuity fund
• Over £100,000 spend on open for business campaigns

Trams to Newhaven Construction Process 

In order to start construction on the project, the Council passed the responsibility for the work sections to the contractors, allowing them to set up and commence site clearance, utility works and main construction works. 

As works progress, traffic management is amended which results in the opening up of partially completed sections. It should be noted that these are not finished and remain the contractors’ responsibility.

Ongoing inspections of works are carried out and from this defects and issues are collated and the rectification of these defects is planned with the contractor.

Once works are completed, further detailed inspections will take place to ensure stringent quality checks are met. If these quality checks are met, the Council will take back the responsibility and the section will be opened back up to the public.

All main construction works are scheduled to be completed during 2022. A period of testing and commissioning will then follow to ensure everything is working properly, with trams due to be operational by Spring 2023. A confirmation of the exact date the trams will be operational from Picardy Place to Newhaven will be given nearer the time.

Detailed below is an overview of what works take place at what stage of construction.

1. Main Construction – Phase 1 (under large work sites) – to be completed during 2022

• Site Clearance
• All underground utilities moved
• Attenuation pipes to support water dispersal in place along the route
• Drainage and below ground communications/power ducts installed
• All tram track in place
• Base of all tram stops in place
• All vehicle carriageways work finished
• All footpath works finished
• All dedicated cycleways finished
• All foundation works for Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) poles in place.

Once the above works are finished, the Heras fencing will be removed and there may be changes to traffic management in certain sections.

2. Main Construction – Phase 2 (under localised work sites) to be completed ahead of open for service in spring 2023

• OLE pole installation along the route
• Lighting – in certain sections, street lighting will be incorporated onto the OLE poles in the central reservation.
• Installation of building fixings for overhead tram wires on certain sections of the route.
• Where lighting is being incorporated into the OLE poles, and when this is completed, existing lighting columns will be removed from footways.
• Traffic signals at junctions to be installed
• Street signage (parking signs, tram safety signage, cycling safety signage, etc)
• Street lining (including junctions, parking, loading, no parking, directional, etc)
• OLE Wire installation
• Cable pulling through ducting installed
• Tram Stop fit out
• Sealant works
• Track grinding
• Snagging / defect works will continue to be undertaken along the route following main construction activity and up to overall completion of the project.  To note, defect rectification may also take place during the 2 years after completion during which time the contractor remains responsible for correcting defects along the route.

3. Other works – completed before project completion – to be completed ahead of open for service in spring 2023

• Installation of bus stops signage and bus shelters
• Return of post boxes to agreed locations
• Landscaping works
• Planters installed along the route
• Benches in agreed locations
• Public art in agreed locations