Transport group jumps on board ‘tram-train’ plan for city
A LEADING transport body has backed the idea of using “tram-trains” to link Derby, Spondon, Pride Park, East Midlands Airport and Giltbrook Retail Park with Nottingham’s tram network.
And it hopes such a move could be the “seed” to grow an East Midlands light metro system into Derby, connecting the Royal Derby Hospital, Mickleover, Mackworth, the Sinfin Rolls-Royce site, Chellaston, Alvaston, and Raynesway.
Tram-trains are designed to run on regular rail lines as well as inner-city tram lines.
Four extensions to Nottingham’s tram system are in the pipeline, although all are still at an early stage.
One of these would go from Clifton Park and Ride to the new development known as Fairham Pastures, but could then be built to East Midlands Airport.
The other would go to the proposed HS2 station at Toton and then potentially to Long Eaton, although doubt has been cast on this due to a report that recommended the HS2 line should not stop at Toton.
The other two, larger, extensions under consideration are from the Phoenix Park station to Kimberley, and another through the soon-to-be-developed Waterside development and up towards Gedling.
However, significant external funding will still need to be required for any of these, and Nottingham City Council has recently said progressing plans was not a priority last year, due to emergency measures to encourage safer travel during Covid.
The Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA), an organisation campaigning for better public transport through light rail, tramway and metro systems, said it “welcomes the proposal to extend Nottingham Express Transit (NET) from the present Clifton South terminus to a proposed large new development at Fairham, called Clifton Pastures, and then onwards to East Midlands Airport.”
Land has been safeguarded for potential future use as a tram line through the new development.
The group goes on to say it is: “Campaigning for using the very successful NET as a ‘seed’ to produce a light metro for the East Midlands. This involves other extensions, from Toton Lane to Derby via Spondon and Pride Park; and from Phoenix Park to Kimberley and beyond into Amber Valley.
“The Derby line would be the start of an internal system for the city, serving major traffic objectives such as the Royal Derby Hospital, Mickleover and Mackworth, using the former Great Northern Railway alignment; and another serving the Sinfin Rolls-Royce site, Chellaston, Alvaston, and Raynesway, connecting with the Nottingham line.
“There would also be a line from Toton serving Long Eaton, which could also extend to East Midlands Airport.
“Tram-trains could be used to connect EMA with Loughborough and Leicester, with Leicester also having an internal tram system.
“All of this would greatly assist mobility and the economy within the DerbyLeicester-Nottingham region, and do a lot to reduce the high levels of pollution due to road traffic, and also reduce energy use, and help the region reduce CO2 emissions.”
David Gibson, LRTA regional officer for the East Midlands, said: “This would start to provide a transport system worthy of a region of three cities and many sizeable towns, with a population of over two million”.
Nottingham City Council has said it welcomes the recognition of its scheme.
Councillor Adele Williams, Nottingham City Council’s head of transport, said: “It’s great to see the numerous benefits of NET recognised, including its importance in providing an environmentally-friendly mode of transport with the ability to reduce congestion, support employment and the growth of our local and regional economy. Extensions to the existing network are an aspiration for the council, but would rely on significant external funding.
“We’re continuing to work with our regional partners and Midlands Connect on longer-term options identified in the Access to Toton study, to ensure all our communities have access to a well-connected, green, transport network.
“We hope to progress this vision of integrated transport for the region once the government has announced its integrated rail plan in the spring.”