Derailed: understanding the implementation failures of Merseytram

The implementation of light rail schemes in UK cities has experienced mixed fortunes despite considerable promotion and effort. We investigate the implementation failure of the Merseytram scheme in Liverpool, which was abandoned immediately prior to construction. We attempt to understand how such a failure occurred despite what seemed to be successful efforts at integration between partners. Our findings present several implications for the future development of light rail schemes and infrastructure proposals, and how uncertainty is understood in policy, plan and programme production processes.

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