News, events and chat from Sheffield and South Yorkshire.
Why is it costing £1.5m to investigate mine shaft under tram tracks?
An old mine shaft has opened beneath the outbound Sheffield Supertram track at Birley Lane, forcing the suspension of services between Gleadless Townend and Halfway. Emergency investigation and repair work is now expected to cost about £1.5m, and the blue route’s reopening date is unknown.
The track ballast fell into a void on 23 August, leaving sleepers and rail unsupported. Engineers are investigating the shaft, with drilling permits allowing work to reach 60 metres; officials say they have yet to establish what the feature is or what repairs it will need. An engineering academic said Sheffield has many historic mine workings and that shafts can be hard to detect, while replacement buses have faced overcrowding.
In short
- A mine shaft has opened beneath Sheffield tram tracks.
- The emergency work is expected to cost £1.5m.
- There is no reopening date for the suspended route.
Explained simply
Sheffield grew around coal mining, and old shafts and underground workings remain beneath parts of the city. Some are poorly recorded or difficult to locate, so engineers may need to drill and survey the ground to understand what lies below the surface.
A tramway needs firm, stable ground to support its rails and sleepers. If there is a void beneath the track, engineers must establish its size and condition before deciding how to secure or repair the ground, which can make the investigation costly and complex.
The work affects the Supertram’s blue route, which links the city with communities to the south-east. When a section closes, passengers may have to use replacement buses, adding pressure to other transport services.