Trams to Newhaven Issues Resolution Update June 2026

At the Transport and Environment Committee in December 2024, it was agreed officers would address the deputation questions raised by Community Council Together on Trams (CCTT) .

Following a meeting with CCTT a comprehensive review of the route was undertaken with a view to identifying contractual defects and to address concerns raised by residents, businesses, stakeholder and elected members.

In conjunction with CCTT, the issues identified were allocated three different categories:

• Red (high): Key issues that are critical to the project's functionality and compliance. Examples of these types of issues are collapsed chambers, incomplete or damaged infrastructure including hard and soft landscaping. All of these will be completed by 31 March 2026. 
• Amber (medium): Minor issues, incomplete work, or items not meeting specifications. These are to be rectified by 30 June 2027 by the Council’s Road’s Team.
• Green (low): Issues that are minor and can be included as part of the Council’s ongoing maintenance and repair programme.

In total 866 issues were identified, 155 as red (high), 374 as amber (medium) and 337 as green (low)

View this information shown as a graph. 

As of the 30 June 2026, a total of 202 issues had been rectified - 115 red (high), 80 amber (medium) and 8 green (low). The reason works on the amber and green issues were undertaken were their proximity to red issues that were being addressed. Works on a further 27 issues are in progress and there remains 10 outstanding red items which we will be working to get resolved as soon as possible. Please note, due to an embargo on works in the city centre as a result of works on North Bridge, four of the red issues will need to be postponed until September 2026. 

Further information

Chamber /Surfacing Repairs  Programme:

• Works on a further 18 issues are scheduled to begin w/c 6 July 2026. These are scheduled for completion ahead of the festival embargo. 

Soft Landscaping 

• Works completed along Ocean Drive
• Works at Picardy Place have started.
• Further works are planned at other locations along the route. 

The next issues update will be published at the end of July 2026.