RAIB has today released its report into a collision between a tram and two pedestrians at Staniforth Road, Sheffield, 22 June 2025.
Summary
At around 16:14 on Sunday 22 June 2025, a tram travelling on the South Yorkshire Supertram network collided with two pedestrians at Staniforth Road footpath crossing in Sheffield. The tram was travelling at approximately 17 mph (27 km/h) at the point of collision. The two pedestrians involved in the accident were taken to hospital, with one having sustained serious injuries, and the other minor injuries.
The investigation found that the pedestrians were unaware of the approaching tram as they crossed into its path. This was because the pedestrians had not recognised the approach of the tram and they were not alerted to the approaching tram by the tram’s audible warning devices. Additionally, the crossing layout and signage did not effectively alert the pedestrians to the risk from approaching trams.
An underlying factor to the accident was that the management of risk at Staniforth Road footpath crossing by South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd (the operator and maintainer of the tram network) and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (the owner of the network) was not sufficiently effective.
RAIB has also identified that the injuries one pedestrian received as a result of the collision may have been made more serious due to a raised cobble surface that was situated immediately beyond the crossing.
Recommendations
RAIB has made three recommendations. The first, made to South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, asks them to continue their review of the assessment of risk at Staniforth Road footpath crossing and to implement appropriate control measures. The second, made to South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd, aims to address inconsistencies in tram audible warning usage to deliver assurance of a consistent approach across the network.
The third recommendation is for South Yorkshire Future Trams Ltd and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, working with other relevant local transport organisations, to carry out an assessment of all locations on the South Yorkshire Supertram network where there is a credible risk of pedestrians being struck by a tram, and to implement appropriate changes to minimise injuries.
Image credit: RAIB
