Over the last three decades, Sheffield has seen a major change in its economic base from heavy steel to service and light manufacturing industries. However this transition has been slow and there are still a number of sites in some areas which require re-development. This is often assisted by the Sheffield Development Corporation.

Supertram also has a role to play in the economic re-development of the area. The construction of the Supertram system through the Lower Don Valley, for example, has assisted in improving the accessibility to commercial developments for both employees and customers. Developers feature the high tech Supertram system prominently in many site brochures as it is of benefit in attracting investors to the area. Good infrastructure facilities, such as improved highways and landscaping, help to create confidence in the private sector considering development and investment.

This helps to bring employment and commerce to Sheffield and its surrounds.

Improving the City

Supertram and the City Council have worked together to create not only a high quality public transport system but a significantly upgraded street-scape through which it passes. The development of the route through the city centre has resulted in areas for pedestrians and trams only, with buses and service vehicles being constrained to limited parts of the street. Paving has been upgraded from concrete slabs to clay based materials which retain their colour over a much longer period and add colour and life to the streetscape. Even the tramway itself has been enhanced by the use of colour imprinted concrete to replicate the cobbled streets of the old style tramways. In particular, over 90% of the supports for the overhead electrical system were placed on buildings to avoid the need to plant a significant number of poles in the city centre streets.