Motorists behind most tram crashes -transport boss

One tram driver said he felt other vehicles were to blame for nearly all crashes

Crashes between trams and vehicles in Greater Manchester are mostly caused by "motorists not paying attention", public transports bosses have said.

New data has shown a 30% surge in the number of collisions involving Metrolink trams and other vehicles in 2024.

There were 51 collisions reported last year, up from 39 incidents in 2023.

Ian Davies, interim Metrolink network director, said "in most cases" crashes were down to car drivers not being vigilant when driving close to the tram network.

Mr Davies said several safety campaigns had been held as a result to raise awareness among motorists, "particularly where the trams and cars share road space".

The collision data, obtained via a freedom of information request, showed crashes hit a peak of 52 in 2022, up from 39 and 33 incidents in 2021, and 2020, when services were reduced due to the Covid pandemic.

One tram driver, who did not wish to be named, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service "we're in the hands of other road users".

He said: "I would estimate that a good 99% of accidents are not down to tram drivers."