Calls for Supertram safety review after collision

Recommendations have been made to improve safety on Sheffield's tram network after two teenagers were injured in a collision last June.

A 15-year-old girl suffered serious injuries and a 17-year-old boy minor injuries when they were struck on the Staniforth Road crossing at about 16:15 BST on 22 June last year.

A report by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said they had not seen the tram coming and were not alertedby the vehicle's horn or the crossing's layout and signage.

It said risk management by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd was "not sufficiently effective". SYMCA said it welcomed recommendations for improvement.

It said safety was its "highest priority".

The teenagers had been on a cool-down run after competing at Woodbourn Road athletics stadium and were on the pavement as the tram approached from behind.

There was about one second between them turning right into the crossing and them being hit by the vehicle.

The report found the tram had been moving at 17mph (27km/h), well below the 30mph limit.

The driver had applied the hazard break and sounded the horn as soon as they turned, but this was less than a second before the collision, and they had no time to stop.

The boy was pushed clear by the younger girl, who fell and had her lower half pushed about 6m (20ft) forwards by the front of tram.

It stopped about four seconds after the hazard break was applied, and about 12m (40ft) from the point of collision.

The investigation also found the injuries to one pedestrian may have been made more serious by a raised cobbled surface beyond the crossing.

The RAIB recommended that both the transport operator and mayoral authority continue their risk assessment review at the crossing.

It said they should carry out an assessment of all locations on the Supertram network where there is credible risk of people being injured.

It also made a recommendation that South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd, a subsidiary of SYMCA, addresses "inconsistencies in tram audible warning usage" to ensure a consistent approach to using horns across the network.

It was unclear whether the horn had been used further back along the road, and the report noted the pair were talking and may not have noticed it.

The RAIB does not establish blame or liability, but aims to explain what happened and why in an unbiased manner, the report noted.

A SYMCA spokesperson added: "Our thoughts remain with those directly affected.

"We have fully cooperated with the investigation and thank RAIB for its thorough work and clear findings."

It said it would "carefully consider" the recommendations and was committed to maintaining "high safety standards across the Supertram network".

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