Tram network gets major extension

An artist's impression of the tram service in Beeston

Two new tram lines in Nottingham have been given government approval in a scheme costing more than £400m.

The tram network extensions will run from the centre of the city to Clifton and to Chilwell and Beeston.

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander has offered up to £482m from the government, while about 25% of funding may come from city and county councils.

Plans will have to go through a public inquiry. Construction is set to start in 2010 with trams running by 2013.

The current one line network, run by Nottingham Express Transit (NET), was judged the best in the UK by The Institution of Civil Engineers, earlier this month.

Pollution concern

But Gordon Court, of the Environment Not Trams group, said the trams are less environmentally friendly than buses or cars as they use electricity produced by power stations that produce a lot of pollution.

He said more than 70% of users of the first tram line are people who formerly used the public bus service.

Mr Court said other groups such as Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust and Royal Society for Protection of Birds have also opposed the expansion.

I'm absolutely thrilled that the government has endorsed the case we put to them for more tram lines John Taylor, NET chairman Campaigners fear new lines

Mr Alexander said: "The Nottingham tram has been a great success in encouraging people on to public transport.

"These extensions provide the opportunity to continue this success and give people in the south of Nottingham quicker, more convenient access to the city centre."

Councillor John Taylor, chairman of the NET development board, said: "This announcement is hugely significant for Nottingham.

"I'm absolutely thrilled that the government has endorsed the case we put to them for more tram lines as well as backing it up with funding."

Public inquiry

The Chilwell and Beeston route will go from the railway station to the south west of the city.

It will serve the Meadows residential area, the NG2 development site, the Queen's Medical Centre, the University of Nottingham, Beeston town centre and Chilwell, terminating at a new park-and-ride site serving the A52, close to junction 25 of the M1.

The Clifton route will go from the railway station to the south of the city.

The second route will serve the Meadows area, the Wilford/Ruddington Lane area and the Clifton Estate, terminating at a new park and ride site serving the A453.

A public inquiry on the plans is expected to take place towards the end of 2007.

Further planning approval will also be necessary before the scheme gets the final go ahead.