Nottingham’s expanded tram network welcomed its first passengers on Tuesday morning. Two new lines have been built towards Chilwell to the west of the city centre and Clifton to the south.

 

Completion of this second phase of the tram network more than doubles the length of the overall route, from 14.5km to 32km.

 

Twenty eight new tram stops have been built, 2000 free spaces are provided at new park and ride sites and a tram and bus interchange has opened in Beeston. The two new lines link with the southern end of the existing tram line at Nottingham station.

 

“This really is a great day for Nottingham,” said City Councillor Jane Urquhart. “It marks the dawn of a new era when the tram becomes a true network, with trams running up to every seven minutes.

 

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

 

The city’s tram network carried more than eight million passengers last year and this number is expected to double.

 

Infrastructure including track, signalling and overhead cables was delivered on the project by an Alstom and Taylor Woodrow joint venture. Alstom has also supplied 22 new trams, taking the city’s fleet up to 37.

 

Line one of Nottingham’s tram network opened in 2004.

 

(Photo: Alstom Transport)