Tram route extension to boost public transport?

PEOPLE living in any new Waterside development must have better access to the city’s tram service and pedestrian and cycle routes also need to be put in place.

That is the view of the city council, which admits the Waterside area is relatively poorly served by public transport. The vision for improving tram services would be to go ahead with extending the line along Daleside Road and linking through to Colwick. Currently, the closest tram stop is at Nottingham Train Station, a 10-minute walk from Meadow Lane.

The council has not gone into detail on the extension but says it would benefit the regeneration of Waterside and that the potential route should be safeguarded as a result.

The document says: “This would provide an important connection between the Waterside and the city centre and help to address the lack of public transport servicing the Waterside area.”

Making the area safer for cyclists and pedestrians is also a priority for the council, particularly taking into consideration the approaches to the Waterside, which are used by heavy goods vehicles. It means the design of the development would need to bear in mind people travelling on foot or two wheels.

The transport plan detailed in the document includes a walking and cycling network to the north of Daleside Road. It has links to Sneinton, the city centre, Colwick, The Meadows and Victoria Embankment.

The document states: “The design of the new neighbourhood should offer direct safe routes to the surrounding area and therefore encourage and enable to walk and cycle.”

The park and-rideservice is the best connection between the area and the city centre and is not thought to be an area of major concern for a new development.