City trams are best say engineers

The popularity of Nottingham's trams continues to increase

Nottingham's tram system has been hailed the best in UK.

The Institution of Civil Engineers said the trams have helped to boost development and regeneration.

The trams began running in March 2004. Passengers made 9.5 million trips in the system's second year, resulting in an operating profit of £1.2m.

The consortium which runs the trams is waiting to hear if the government will give the go-ahead for new lines to Clifton and Chilwell.

One line doesn't solve the whole of the conurbation's transport problems Councillor John Taylor

City councillor John Taylor, chairman of the board of trustees responsible for the trams, said the new lines were crucial.

"When we first started the system, it was always going to be a network.

"One line doesn't really work properly in terms of solving the whole of the conurbation's transport problems, so lines two and three are very important to us."

He added that a decision was urgently needed on the system's expansion.

"The disappointment is that our twin city of Karlsruhe has built 14 tram lines in Germany in the time it's taken us to build one. So please let's have our decision soon."