Valenciennes Tram System, France

The modern tram service in Valenciennes, opened in July 2006, is most notable for its setting. Unlike other contemporary French light rail developments that have been in the well-known major cities, the system is to serve a dispersed cluster of communities of around 390,000 – the population of Valenciennes itself being only 42,900.

Adjoining the Belgian border, the area in the Nord département had lost an extensive traditional tram network by 1966 and suffered from the extreme decline in the local industrial staples of mining, steel and textiles.

Revival has in part been through the automotive industry, with major employers PSA Peugeot Citroën and Toyota both having manufacturing plants locally. The latter, a relative newcomer to Valenciennes, starting production in 2001, became an active supporter of the tram project. Bombardier Transportation and Alstom each have rail vehicle manufacturing in the area.

The European Railway Agency (ERA), an arm of the European Union charged with creation of a competitive European railway area through increased cross-border compatibility, has its headquarters in Valenciennes.

THE PROJECT

As was common in mining areas, Valenciennes featured many closely spaced, but self-contained, distinct settlements that evolved before the motor vehicle era. Consequently lacking a coherent road network, the post-industrial infrastructure was not encouraging for redevelopment. Sponsored by Syndicat Intercommunal des Transports Urbains de la Région de Valenciennes (SITURV), supporters of the light rail scheme included local, regional and industry interests.

In spite of the efforts of a powerful anti-tram lobby, the Phase 1 project that was to cost €242.75m received the go-ahead, with an Alstom-led consortium awarded the contract to build the system in 2000, with a provisional opening date of 16 June 2006. The European Investment Bank was an important source of funds for the project. At grass roots level, a public survey of almost 1,250 people found 83% believed a tramway was 'an interesting proposal', while more than two-thirds of those questioned said they would be likely to use the services.

Operating the area's tram and bus services under the name Transvilles (replacing the earlier Semurval title in January 2006), the system operator is the French transport specialist company Transdev.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Variously using reserved tracks alongside roads, dedicated alignments and streets restricted to tram and pedestrian use only, the first phase of Line 1, a 9.5km double track route passes residential, retail and industrial areas. Although it includes central Valenciennes, it does not enter the impressive city square (which is open to road traffic), the 'Hôtel de Ville' tram stop being a block away.

Like much of the evolving Valenciennes system, both original termini, Dutemple and Université, are in semi-rural locations. As part of the reorganisation of road space and in common with many other modern French tramways, the dedicated alignments make extensive use of grassed areas between and around the tracks.

There are several bus interchanges, also a stop at the busy SNCF station which has TGV and TER (regional) services. The system's purpose-built depot and control centre is near the Saint Waast stop. Five park and ride sites adjoin some tram stops to discourage car use through the urban area.

The first substantial addition to the system, almost doubling the length, extends south-west from the Line 1 terminus at Dutemple, which uses 6.5km (4 miles) of a closed mining railway to serve the area's next largest community, Denain, (population 20,350). As a railway alignment, operating speeds of up to 70km/h are possible, with slowing for road crossings.

Overall operating speed for the more rural phase 2 is over 10km/h faster than the original urban section's 20.8km/h. The 8.8km (5.5 mile) extension and seven new stops opened in September 2007, the new terminus being Espace Villars.

ROLLING STOCK

In common with the majority of the French systems opening from 2000 onwards, Valenciennes opted for the Alstom Citadis. Sufficient to cope with the Denain extension without addition, the fleet consists of 21 five-section, 100% low-floor, double-ended Type 302 vehicles. Double doors and large floor areas with plentiful grab rails lend the Citadis to rapid loading at the closely-spaced stops in the city centre where demand is at its greatest. The vehicles feature a large area of glass, with driver cabs being air conditioned.

An appealing aspect for the Valenciennes transport planners is the potential for units to be augmented, with the addition of further intermediate modules to meet increased demand.

SIGNALLING/COMMUNICATIONS

Ticketing is via machines at the stops, with revenue protection by inspectors. Citadis vehicles are equipped with internal video surveillance cameras for added passenger protection. Tram stops have real time indicators, with visual and audio announcement of stops being made onboard the vehicles.

The trams have a cab signalling system; although they run on entirely reserved tracks, with warning signals at the many road intersections marked to indicate the absolute priority of trams.

The entire signalling and control systems are completely integrated, helping keep down overall costs and minimising any possibility of isolated problems bringing the entire network to a halt. The system has a peak ten-minute interval (dropping to 20 and 30 minute) and is open 05.30–22.00.

THE FUTURE

Projected extensions may see the system extended to 40km (25 miles), consistent with the original objective of a network that would be a unifying element for the many communities in the Valenciennes area. The next likely developments will form part of Line 2, the first section of which is the 14km from Croix d'Anzin on Line 1 to Vieux-Condé. Construction is expected to start in 2008 for a 2010 opening.

The other Line 2 section would see extension to Quiévrechain and across the border to nearby Quiévrain in Belgium, all part of the same now much-depleted coalfield area. Less ambitious in terms of distance is the project for a short link from Saint Waast to Valenciennes' main hospital.

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