Nottingham targets multimillion-pound tram extensions

Nottingham City Council has revealed plans for a significant expansion of the city’s tram network.

Three separate extensions are proposed. The first would be a short extension of the line at Clifton South Park & Ride to the yet-to-be-built Clifton Pastures housing estate, while the second would extend from Toton Lane Park & Ride to the site of the new East Midlands Hub HS2 station and then on to Long Eaton.

The third (and the longest) proposed route would involve construction of a new route towards Nottingham’s eastern suburbs via Meadow Lane, the

Cattle Market, Daleside Road and Nottingham Racecourse.

It is hoped this route could one day stretch as far as a new Park & Ride site planned near Gedling Country Park, although this is not included in the current plans.

The council is expected to approve the plans and then develop detailed business cases for the three extensions, which would be submitted to government next summer. It has also signalled that it will support Broxtowe Borough Council’s early investigations into extending the tram into Kimberley and Langley Mill.

Estimated costs show that an extension to Toton would cost £106 million, the extension to Clifton Pastures £49m, and a line to the Racecourse between £96m and £116m.

Initial estimates also suggest that the three extensions could add an additional 11.2 million passenger journeys to the network each year, compared with current annual usage of just under 19 million.

Should government approve the scheme, construction is expected to begin in winter 2025, followed by completion in 2028-29.

Nottingham City Councillor Portfolio Holder for Local

Transport Adele Williams said:

“Our established tram network is something that the city can be very proud of. It’s no surprise that other neighbouring areas are keen to see it extended, so more people can see the benefit and increase their transport options.

“Expanding our already wellconnected network would help to further reduce congestion around the city, and we are now in a position to take a close look at three or four options that have satisfied initial feasibility studies.

“Any extensions would, of course, need considerable support and financial input from the Government to make them happen, and we plan to make a robust business case to ministers later next year.”