Sheffield to Rotherham tram-train arrives in England

The tram-trains are being built in Valencia, Spain

The UK's first tram-train has arrived in England on its way to Yorkshire.

The first of seven tram-trains that will use local tram routes and Network Rail lines, arrived in Southampton earlier as part of the scheme, which is a year behind schedule.

Three of the 37m (121ft) vehicles will run an hour, linking Sheffield, Meadowhall and Rotherham from 2017.

The Department for Transport hopes the two-year pilot scheme will be rolled out to other places in the country.

The tram-train, constructed in Valencia, Spain, will be transported up the M1 motorway before arriving in Sheffield on Tuesday.

'Complex operation'

Operators said three of the vehicles will be introduced on Sheffield's Supertram network in 2016 to provide more tram services for passengers during peak times.

The tram-trains are being shipped to Southampton from Santander

Steve Edwards, from the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive, described it as a "first for the UK".

He said: "The design and planning to make Tram Trains run is a complex operation and we're delighted this important milestone brings us one step closer to making the scheme a reality."

The £58m project, aiming to cut journey times and improve access to the city, has been delayed by building work on the link between the tram and rail networks.