Cancelled tram schemes!Are you just sitting there moaning?

YOU can help toput the case for morelines, more systemsand more trams:

n WRITE, fax, e-mail or make anappointment with your MP, MSP orAssembly Member as an individual andsay why it is imperative that theGovernment builds new (and extendsexisting) light rail systems and why youneed them in your area.

n USE local examples of roadcongestion, heavy rail overcrowding andpoor air quality.

n ASK your MP to put pressure onDouglas Alexander, Secretary of Statefor Transport, who is responsible forlight rail progress, to invest quickly ingrowing tram networks.

n WRITE a letter to your local paperstelling them about road congestion,heavy rail overcrowding, poor air qualityand how light rail and trams can play amajor role in alleviating these problems.

Send a copy of your letters and e-mailsto the LRTA Development Group at thefollowing address:

Jim Harkins FCILT, Council & Development GroupCampaigner, Light Rail Transit Associationc/o Light Rail (UK) Ltd., Warrington Business Park, Long Lane, Warrington, Cheshire WA2 8TX.

Telephone: 01925 243500Fax: 01925 243000E-mail: campaign@lrta.org

Dublin’s status as a world class economic centre has been enhanced by the Luas light railnetwork, which is so successful that it is being extended across large areas of the city.

ÔP.T.O.

Take ACTION NOW!

Why growing light rail and tramways is importantPassenger journeys on Britain's light railnetworks and tramways were 175 million in2005/06 — light rail in several cities carriesmore passengers than an inter-city railoperator. Light rail in the UK has achieveda modal switch from cars of 16-20%, andhas reached the point where furtherpassenger growth is being held seriouslyback because of a lack of vehicles.

The Government has no plans forgrowing light rail, although it has produced

White Papers for rail (The Future of theRailways) and bus (Putting PassengersFirst). This is despite light rail being criticalto meeting its own economic andenvironmental objectives as well as tacklingroad congestion, serving newdevelopments, supporting regeneration andsocial inclusion.

Converting city access lines to light railcan give better access and make moreeconomic sense than heavy rail.

If you don't know your MP, MSP or Assembly Member, details can be found at:http://www.parliament.uk/directories/hciolists/alcm.cfmhttp://www.scottish.parliament.uk/msp/index.htmhttp://www.wales.gov.uk/who/member_thumbnails_e.htm http://www.niassembly.gov.uk/members/constmap_res.htm, or at your local library.

A private company limited by guarantee Registered in England and Wales

Company number 5072319

VAT GB 227 4028 80Registered Office : c/o Haslams, 133 Lichfield Street,

Walsall, West Midlands WS1 1SL UK

For LRTA membership details contact:LRTA Subscriptions, 38 Wolseley Road, Sale M33 7AU E-mail: membership@lrta.org

For more details about light rail, please contact the LRTA Development Officer, 7 Crofton Avenue, Horfield, Bristol BS7 0BPE-mail: development@lrta.org Telephone: 0117 951 7785 Visit the LRTA website: www.lrta.org

Growing Light Rail: A campaign from the Development Group of the Light Rail Transit Association

Modal shiftn Light rail is proven to attract motoristsout of cars - their use has dropped by nearly19% in Croydon since Tramlink tram beganoperations in 2000.

n Significant modal shift - 20%-40% - fromthe private car has occurred in other citieswhere LRT has been introduced.

n 22 million car trips a year have beentaken off roads by UK light rail schemes.

Other modesn Trams can use other modes’ alignmentsto access city centres such as reallocatedroad space, pedestrian areas and underusedheavy rail corridors.

n Rail services can be made more effectiveby conversion to light rail where a line canbe disconnected from the national network.Tram-trains can share routes with heavyrail while giving access to city centres.

n In Germany, the Karlsruhe-Bretten lightrail conversion saw a 600% increase inbusiness. 40% of passengers were formercar users and only 25% of the light railusers were previous rail users.

n Trams can also revitalise under-usedrailways by the use of Ultra LightweightRail (ULR) to replace lightly used servicesor reopen branch lines, such as atStourbridge. They bring quietness, modernimage, frequent services and more stops.

n Buses may seem cheap, but trams maycost less in the longer term.

Competitivenessn Light rail enhances the urban landscapeand makes city centres better places to liveand work.

n Light rail provides a high quality,sustainable service that allows businessesand users to operate consistently andefficiently.

n The permanence of light railinfrastructure creates confidence to investfor the long-term.

n In a city, vehicles, track and tram stopsphysically connect communities andbusinesses along the route.

n The visible infrastructure gives light railsystems more permanence to businesses,developers and local residents comparedwith other modes, public or privately-run.

Regenerationn Experience in the UK and abroad showsthat LRT promotes regeneration.

n Light rail can produce significant inwardinvestment in a locality.

n Light rail has a strong positive impact onemployment and property prices

n Since Croydon Tramlink was built,nearby residential property prices haverisen significantly.

n Light rail can help focus development,rather than encouraging urban sprawl.

n Rails in the ground make a politicalstatement of commitment.

n Traffic-free areas encourage moreshoppers. Trams do not destroy theatmosphere.

Environment & Pollutionn Light rail has a proven ability to attractmotorists out of cars, thus reducingpollution and congestion.

n Trams produce no significant pollution atthe point of use and offer the opportunity tooperate on renewable or clean energythroughout the power supply chain.

n Toxic pollution - caused by the burningof fossil fuels — is estimated to cause24,000 premature deaths every year in UK -

eight times that of traffic accidents.Transport is a major culprit. Measures thatreduce the use of internal combustionengine vehicles will have a direct effect onreducing these emissions.

n Global warming is now recognised to bepossibly the greatest threat facing thehuman race today. Carbon emissions needto be eliminated as quickly as possible.

n Trams produce minimal pollution at thepoint of use and reduce overall demand forpower by the use of regenerative braking.

n Tramways can also cut noise pollution byreducing cars and buses in a city centre.

n Vehicles that run on steel rails are at leastthree times more energy efficient than thosewith rubber tyres on tarmac. LRT does notdepend on fossil fuels.

n Trams can provide greater capacity thancar and bus with less environmental impact.

These are just a fewreasons for light rail andtrams — conditions will varyin your area, town or city.Recent approvals forextensions in Manchesterand Nottingham show thatpublic pressure can work!

FACTS AND FIGURES: DISCUSS THEM WITH YOUR MP OR POLITICAL LEADER

Tramways are socially superior, and the most environmentally friendly modal of transportin inner cities. Sheffield has seen significant shift from motor car use since the openingof the Supertram network.