Mineshaft discovery in Sheffield to cost £275k after trams cancelled
A historic mineshaft beneath the tram tracks at Birley Lane in Sheffield has forced the closure of the affected section of the route, prompting replacement buses. South Yorkshire’s transport authority has awarded First South Yorkshire a contract worth £276,322 to keep passengers connected while the tracks remain closed.
The shaft was discovered in August and is thought to date from the area’s coal-mining era. Mayor Oliver Coppard said it may have been undocumented when the tram line was built over it in the early 1990s; buses link with trams at Gleadless Townend and run to Halfway. The authority contacted 14 other bus operators while arranging the service within three days.
In short
- Sheffield’s Birley Lane tram section remains closed after a mineshaft was found.
- Replacement buses are contracted for £276,322.
- Buses connect with trams between Gleadless Townend and Halfway.
Explained simply
Sheffield’s tram network runs into the city’s south-east suburbs, including the route towards Halfway. Birley Lane is part of this route, and Gleadless Townend is a nearby point where passengers can change between trams and buses.
Coal mining shaped parts of Sheffield, and old mine workings can remain underground long after mining ends. The city’s tram line was built in the early 1990s, and Mayor Oliver Coppard has said the shaft may not have been recorded when construction took place.
South Yorkshire’s transport authority oversees public transport in the area, including replacement services when tram routes are disrupted. First South Yorkshire is a local bus operator that runs services in the region.
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