Supertram blue route partially suspended after well found under track
Update: Friday 28 August
Engineers investigating the track issue at Birley Lane are continuing detailed surveys after identifying what appears to be a historic well or mine shaft beneath the tram line. Further investigation is required before a timescale for the return of tram services can be confirmed. Replacement bus services remain in operation between Gleadless Townend and Halfway. Read the latest update below.
Engineers investigating the track issue at Birley Lane have identified what appears to be a historic well or mine shaft beneath the tram line, believed to date back to the area's coal mining past.
Specialist engineers are working with the Mining Remediation Authority to better understand the nature of the structure, its condition and any impact it may have on the tram infrastructure. Detailed surveys are currently being carried out on site, while historic records are also being reviewed to establish more information about the feature and identify whether similar structures may exist nearby.
The discovery means repairs are more complex than initially anticipated and will take longer than first hoped. While work is progressing as quickly as possible, further investigation is required before a timeline can be confirmed for the return of tram services through Birley Lane.
Safety remains the priority and any repair work will only proceed once engineers have a full understanding of the issue and have identified the most appropriate long-term solution.
Passengers travelling to and from Halfway should continue to use the replacement bus service operating between Halfway and Gleadless Townend, where connections with tram services are available. Supertram tickets are accepted on replacement bus services.
Following the successful completion of the £3 million Delta Junction track upgrade works, most Supertram services have now returned to their normal routes through Sheffield city centre. However, Blue Route trams will continue to terminate at Herdings Park while work at Birley Lane continues.
We understand this disruption is frustrating for customers and local communities and thank everyone for their patience and understanding while this work is carried out safely. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Tuesday 25 August
Supertram Blue route services have been partially suspended between Gleadless Townend and Halfway since Sunday 23 August, after engineers investigating a track issue at Birley Lane identified what appears to be an old well beneath the tram line, which likely dates back to when the area was used for coal mining.
It looks like when this section of the Supertram network was built back in the early 1990s, the track was laid directly over it, and as far as we can tell, it wasn’t documented in the records we have today.
This article was first published on 25 August 2026 and updated on 28 August 2026 to reflect the latest engineering investigations and service arrangements.
