Travel in the time of Covid. A documentary assignment for Transport for the North

This assignment for Transport for the North took me into the transport networks of Liverpool and Sheffield during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, documenting how public infrastructure, staff, and passengers adapted to an unprecedented disruption in daily mobility.

Transport for the North exists to make the case for sustained investment in transport infrastructure across the North of England, advocating for improved connectivity, capacity, and long-term resilience. Working on these assignments always brings into focus the same underlying tension: existing networks stretched to their limits, shaped by decades of underinvestment, yet still relied upon by millions of people.

During the pandemic, that tension became even more visible—but in a very different way.

COVID-19 Transport Infrastructure Photography Across Northern England

Photographing transport infrastructure during the pandemic revealed a dramatically altered version of the North’s mobility networks. Stations, platforms, and interchanges that are normally defined by constant movement became quieter, more structured environments shaped by distancing measures and reduced capacity.

Rather than the usual intensity of commuter flow, these spaces became studies in absence, adaptation, and operational continuity.

Liverpool Lime Street Station During Coronavirus Pandemic Conditions

At Liverpool Lime Street railway station, the impact of COVID-19 was immediately visible. Passenger numbers were significantly reduced, creating unusually open and calm station environments.

The architecture and operational layout of the station became more legible without the density of crowds, revealing the underlying systems that support one of the North West’s busiest transport hubs.

Sheffield Public Transport Network and Pandemic Mobility Changes

In Sheffield, tram and bus services continued to operate under strict safety guidance. While services were reduced in some areas, essential mobility was maintained throughout the city.

The visual contrast between functioning transport systems and reduced passenger presence highlighted how urban infrastructure adapts under pressure.

Railway Staff Safety Measures and COVID-19 Transport Protocols

Across both cities, railway and transport staff implemented enhanced hygiene protocols, including regular cleaning of escalators, handrails, and high-contact surfaces.

Face coverings, signage, and distancing markers became embedded into the visual language of transport environments, reinforcing new behavioural expectations within public infrastructure.

Passenger Behaviour and Reduced Rail and Bus Usage During Lockdown

Passenger numbers across rail and bus networks dropped significantly, with only essential journeys taking place. Those travelling did so with increased awareness of spacing, hygiene, and movement within shared environments.

This shift fundamentally changed the atmosphere of stations and vehicles, replacing density with separation.

Masked Passengers in Northern Rail Transport Environments

A defining visual feature of the period was widespread mask usage across all transport settings. Passengers, staff, and operators all adopted protective face coverings as part of daily travel routines.

These conditions created a consistent visual marker of the pandemic era across Northern rail infrastructure.

Transport for the North and Regional Infrastructure Investment Context

This work sits within the broader remit of Transport for the North, which advocates for increased government investment in Northern transport infrastructure.

The pandemic highlighted both the resilience and limitations of existing systems, reinforcing long-standing discussions around capacity, funding, and long-term planning.

Increased Road Traffic and Shift Away from Public Transport Use

One notable consequence of reduced confidence in public transport was an increase in road traffic in certain areas. This shift placed additional pressure on road networks and contributed to congestion during periods of restricted mobility.

The redistribution of travel behaviour demonstrated the interconnected nature of regional transport systems.

Growth of Active Travel and Cycling During COVID-19 Transport Disruption

Cycling and walking became more visible forms of transport during the pandemic, as individuals sought alternatives to shared public spaces.

This increase in active travel highlighted both behavioural change and infrastructure adaptability within urban environments.

Empty Stations and Architectural Visibility in Transport Photography

With fewer passengers present, station architecture became more prominent within the photographic frame. Seating areas, platforms, signage, and circulation routes were no longer obscured by movement, allowing clearer documentation of spatial design.

This created a rare opportunity to photograph transport infrastructure in a stripped-back operational state.

Social Distancing Signage and Public Health Communication in Stations

Public health messaging became an integral part of transport environments, with signage instructing passengers on distancing, mask use, and movement flow.

These elements formed a temporary layer of infrastructure within stations, shaping how people navigated shared spaces.

Cleaning Operations and Maintenance in Railway Infrastructure

Rail staff played a critical role in maintaining safe travel conditions, with visible cleaning operations taking place throughout stations and vehicles.

Escalators, handrails, and seating areas were regularly sanitised, reinforcing the importance of operational continuity during disruption.

Reduced Capacity Trains and Socially Distanced Rail Travel

Train interiors reflected reduced capacity policies, with fewer passengers and increased spacing between seats.

These conditions significantly altered the visual and experiential character of rail travel across Northern routes.

Bus Networks Operating Under COVID-19 Restrictions

Bus stations and onboard services operated with modified capacity and safety measures. While services continued, passenger volumes were significantly reduced compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The result was a quieter, more measured public transport environment.

Tram Operations in Sheffield During Pandemic Conditions

Sheffield’s tram system remained operational throughout the pandemic, providing essential connectivity across the city.

The reduced passenger load made tram movements more visible within the urban landscape, highlighting infrastructure that is often overlooked in busier conditions.

Photography Documentation for Transport for the North Campaigns

This assignment also marked the beginning of incorporating short-form video alongside still photography. These sequences were captured across Liverpool and Sheffield transport environments and later used in campaign and promotional materials.

The combination of still and moving image strengthened the overall communication of transport resilience during this period.

Weather Conditions and Field Photography Challenges in Northern Transport Projects

Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, the work was often shaped by challenging weather conditions typical of Northern England. These environmental factors became part of the visual record, adding realism and texture to the documentation.

Working across exposed transport infrastructure required adaptability and persistence throughout the shoots.

Resilience of Transport Workers During COVID-19 Infrastructure Disruption

One of the most consistent themes across all locations was the resilience of transport staff. Despite operational pressures and changing conditions, services continued to function thanks to the commitment of frontline workers.

Their presence ensured continuity in systems that were under significant strain.

Transport Networks as Systems of Public Dependence and Infrastructure Pressure

The pandemic underscored the essential role of transport networks in daily life. Even at reduced capacity, rail, bus, and tram systems remained critical for essential travel, logistics, and mobility.

These systems operate under constant pressure, and the pandemic made both their importance and their limitations more visible.

Northern Transport Infrastructure and Long-Term Investment Needs

The condition of transport infrastructure across Liverpool and Sheffield reinforced ongoing discussions about long-term investment in Northern England.

Ageing assets, capacity constraints, and operational pressures all point toward the need for sustained funding and strategic planning.

Conclusion: COVID-19 Transport Photography as a Record of Adaptation and Change

This photographic documentation for Transport for the North captures a unique moment in the history of Northern transport infrastructure.

It is a record of reduced movement, altered behaviour, and operational resilience—showing not only how systems were disrupted, but how they adapted and continued to function under extraordinary circumstances.