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Nottingham’s £570M tram extension opens

After three years of major building work, Nottingham's £570M newly expanded tram network opened on Tuesday.

The 6.02; Nottingham Tram extension starts operation

It was eight months late and contributed to contractor Taylor Woodrow’s civil engineering losses of £165M  last year but it is being welcomed enthusiastically by the city.

Phase Two extends Nottingham Express Transit’s  service to the south and southwest of the city, reaching Chilwell, Beeston and Clifton. The extension more than doubles the size of city’s tram network adding 17.5km of new track and 28 new tram stops to the existing network that travels to the north of the city.  Construction work was undertaken by Taylor Woodrow and Alstom on behalf of Tramlink Nottingham; the NET concession holder appointed by Nottingham City Council. Consultant was Mott MacDonald.

"Trams are a very efficient way of transporting large numbers of people around a road network. “Take a look at this very powerful set of images (via the Washington Post) that demonstrate the clear benefits of public transport over car-borne commuting” - Steve Wooler, BWB

“This is a really great day for Nottingham. It marks the dawn of a new era when NET becomes a true network and, with trams running from every seven minutes, it is all set to provide easier access to key locations right across the city,” said councillor Jane Urquhart who has lead responsibility for NET at Nottingham City Council.

“The tram provides the backbone to the city’s integrated transport network, underpinning all the efforts to reduce congestion, improve the environment and make Nottingham an even better place to live, work or visit.”

Alongside the construction of new lines, the project has also seen the creation of more than 2,000 free spaces at new park and ride sites, a new tram and bus interchange in Beeston and a new tram stop at the redeveloped Nottingham Station.

Nottingham’s tram extension has been one of the country’s largest infrastructure projects in recent times and had been plagued by complaints about disruption during its construction.

But that will all be forgotten now said Steve Wooler, chief executive of consultant BWB which is headquartered in the city.

“This is a great moment for Nottingham, its people and its economy. Reliable, efficient transportation systems are valuable long-term infrastructure assets. Investment on this scale demonstrates not only admirable civic ambition, very important for one of England’s core cities, but also acts as a powerful catalyst for social and economic regeneration," he said.

“The tram provides the backbone to the city’s integrated transport network, underpinning all the efforts to reduce congestion, improve the environment and make Nottingham an even better place to live, work or visit" - Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council

“The disruption, severe and lengthy in some instances, suffered by local residents and businesses during construction is regrettable, but those are the people and businesses best placed to benefit from the long-term advantages that living and trading in close proximity to key urban transportation corridors will deliver. Congratulation need to go to the tram's contractor  - infrastructure isn't easy.”

He added: “As “European living” becomes ever-more prevalent within the UK, Nottingham stands to derive significant advantage from its tram network and associated environmental improvements that flow from giving priority to public transport and people over motorised vehicles. The vastly improved, and largely car free city centre has transformed Nottingham as a place to live, to visit and importantly to invest in – these are the factors that set great cities apart from average ones.”  

The first NET line opened 2004 at a cost of £200M. Construction of phase 2 started in 2012. The tramway is operated and maintained by Nottingham Trams Ltd on behalf of the Tramlink Nottingham consortium which comprises: Vinci, Alstom, Keolis, Wellglade Meridiam Infrastructure Finance and Infravia.

Tramway construction is notoriously tricky Nottingham phase two’s late arrival pales into insignificance when compared with the Edinburgh Tram saga, currently the subject of a public inquiry in Scotland. That scheme completed five years late, 100% over budget at around £1bn but for only half the original planned scheme.

 However as Wooler points out: Trams are a very efficient way of transporting large numbers of people around a road network. “Take a look at this very powerful set of images (via the Washington Post) that demonstrate the clear benefits of public transport over car-borne commuting” he said.  

 

 

 

If you would like to contact Jackie Whitelaw about this, or any other story, please email jackie.whitelaw@infrastructure-intelligence.com.