The opening of the Tyne and Wear Metro in 1980 , followed by the Manchester Metrolink in 1991 and other new tram systems in Sheffield , Birmingham , Croydon and Nottingham , are very much in line with the aims of the Association . The openings of the Tyne and Wear Metro in 1980 , Manchester Metrolink in 1991 and new tram systems in Sheffield , Birmingham , Croydon and Nottingham are very much in line with the aims of the LRTA .