Government ministers have given the green light to plans to extend Nottingham’s tram network.
Less than a month on from their fifth birthday celebrations, Nottingham’s tram has something else to celebrate. Government ministers have granted the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to the NET Phase Two extensions to Clifton and Chilwell via Beeston. Simply put the TWAO gives Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County Councils the legal powers they need to get the tram going.
The first tram line has been a major success – since it launched in 2004 public transport use has doubled along the route. More people are using park and ride, at both the tram and bus stops, because the tram has helped make public transport more popular. And it’s even attracted more businesses to the area.
It’s expected that the two new tramlines would have a similar impact. The route to Clifton would travel through densely populated areas and past major employment sites, ending at a park and ride site near the A453 close to junction 24 of the M1. It is hoped that the tram would ease congestion along this vital route and allow a major widening project to take place. The route to Chilwell would take in the QMC, University of Nottingham and Beeston town centre before stopping at a park and ride site near the A52 close to junction 25 of the M1.
The project hasn’t got the final go-ahead yet, as there are still question marks over how the tram’s extension will be funded. The councils are waiting on a final decision about WPL, which is intended to fund this major project. Watch this space for details of the final decision, which is expected in the next few months.
Do you want to find out more about the hugely successful Nottingham tram? Find out more.
Keen to find out about other major transport projects on the horizon? There are ambitious plans to transform Nottingham’s train station into The Hub, click here to find out more.