The project to extend Nottingham’s tram system to Clifton and Silverdale received an official Government sign-off last month. The tram extension will also see a line constructed to Chilwell via Beeston.
A detailed construction programme is now being finalised and the first phase of construction work will start this month, with services on the new lines planned to start in late 2014.
The construction of lines two (Wilford and Clifton) and three (Beeston and Chilwell) of the tram will take place concurrently. The initial works will largely involve clearing sites and moving utility services to the side of the new tram route. This will be followed by works to ready roads and off-street areas for track laying.
The physical works in the first three months of the construction programme (January to March 2012) are dominated by property demolitions, installing temporary fencing, site clearing and starting utility diversions.
Once the tracks are laid and the overhead cables are installed, there will be a period of several months in 2014 of testing trams along the new tram tracks, before the tram is expected to open to the public in late 2014.
For further details visit the nottinghamcity.gov.uk or contact planning policy by calling 0115 981 9911.

After years of indecision and abandoned plans, the government has announced that the A453 will now be widened. The road, which runs through Clifton, links junction 24 of the M1 motorway with the south of Nottingham.
Nottinghamshire County Council leader, Kay Cutts, said: “We’ve got the green light. This is the best Christmas gift that businesses and residents in Nottinghamshire could have. It will give a £540m boost the East Midlands economy. We’ve listened to businesses and the Government have listened to all of us. I’m absolutely thrilled.”
Nottinghamshire County Council pledged £20m towards the scheme if it was bought forward, in May this year.
“We have campaigned long and hard for this,” added Councillor Cutts. “The A453 has been on the Council’s wishlist since the 1970s and has been under discussion at County Hall ever since I joined the Council in 1989. At last it is going to happen and I am delighted for local businesses and commuters alike.
“I want to particularly thank East Midlands Airport, Boots, RH Freight and Hardstaffs and our partner authorities for their support.”
Since the County Council offered the government £20m contribution to bring the scheme forward, the campaign to widen the road has garnered support from the local business community and other local councils, including a pledge of £500,000 towards the scheme from Rushcliffe Borough Council in October.
Borough Council leader, Neil Clarke, said: This is a victory for common sense and just reward for all the hard campaigning. It is just the tonic needed by our local businesses. I’m sure that decision by the Borough Council and the County Council to pledge financial support has made the difference in bringing forward this vital scheme.
“It will help our businesses grow and ease the misery experienced by our residents every day. I have been unswerving in my support for the project, as I have always been convinced of the future prosperity and benefits it will bring to Rushcliffe and the Greater Nottingham area. Congratulations to all involved in making this happen.”
Nottingham City Council’s leader, Councillor Jon Collins, said: “I’m delighted that the Government has recognised the need to stimulate our local economy by funding the widening of the A453 which it had previously delayed. We, along with other local councils and businesses, have long argued for this to happen. This project remains a top-three priority for businesses, along with the extension of the tram network and the redevelopment of the railway station.
“A widened A453 will improve links to the M1 while speeding up journey times and making it safer for motorists.
“This project particularly complements the investment we’re putting into the extended tram network, which will result in the A453 feeding into a 1,000-space park and ride site on the edge of Clifton further speeding up people’s journeys to and from Nottingham.
“Good transport links are a key factor for stimulating the economy which in turn attracts further inward investment while creating more jobs for local people, which is our number one priority.”
A453 facts and figures
- Dualling would provide an estimated £540m boost to the regional economy.
- The Notts section of the road is the second most congested part of the national road network after a short section of the M25.
- The A453 currently costs larger businesses as much as £100,000 a year because of increased fuel usage, difficulty reaching customers, abandoned journeys and accident costs.
- The scheme to dual the road has already been subject to a public inquiry and subject to the secretary of state’s decision would effectively be ready to go.

PKA Kickboxing at Clifton and East Leake organised a charity event recently and have successfully raised £1,165 for the for the Huntington’s Disease Association.  The charity was chosen after one of the club members sadly lost his mother to the disease and everyone wanted to show their support.
Martin Byrne, PKA Club instructor, said: “In total, eight Professional Kickboxing Association (PKA) clubs from across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire came along to support the event and competed in two styles of Kickboxing. Many students had not competed in an event like this before but decided to step forward in support of such of worthy charity.
“In addition to the fights, the club also incorporated a raffle which had over 40 prizes donated from local businesses and club members. This is a fantastic testament to the generosity of local residents especially in what are very tough economic times.
“Clifton and East Leake were also successful in winning the lion’s share of medals on the day, with six gold medals and five silvers .
“I’m so proud of everyone who took part and supported this event, from spectators, local businesses and of course competitors. All fighters competed with enthusiasm and control and demonstrated the wide range of skills we teach at PKA Kickboxing.”
For more information on Kickboxing in Clifton, East Leake and Etwall please visit kickboxuk.com or call Martin on 07979 965 404.

By Darren Campbell
The Peacock in Clifton has reopened its doors after a £265,000 refurbishment. Local
residents and special guests joined in the celebrations at the Southchurch Drive venue on 23rd November following three weeks of renovation work.
The Greene King-owned pub now boasts a brand new interior and dining areas as part of a new meet and eat concept, while plans are also lined up for a children’s area. Manager Alice May hopes the improvements will attract new customers from Clifton and beyond.
“We want to be the pub for everyone of all ages,” she said. “The Peacock has been known as a drinking place for many years, but we wanted to step it up to another level.
“We’re at the centre of Clifton, so we are looking to be the heart of the community.”
The refurbishment caps a great month for the pub after it also scooped two prizes in the Nottingham Best Bar None awards, including the coveted title of Overall Best Bar. The Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Councillor Michael Wildgust, praised the venue after officially cutting the ribbon.
“This is one of the best pubs I have been in for quite a while,” he said. “Clifton should be proud of what it has got. It is absolutely brilliant.”
Jean Rogers, who works at the nearby Greggs Bakery, said: “I think it’s absolutely beautiful. It’s something that we have needed in Clifton to get people to come together, to chat and have a meal.”
Even Nottingham hero Robin Hood – alias Tim Pollard – stopped by to offer his compliments. I can see why it has won awards,” he said. “This is going to be a nice focal point for the people of Clifton. It’s certainly a place I will come back to and I’ll bring the lovely Maid Marian with me.”

Clifton-based South Nottingham College’s Balls to Poverty charity sport programme has been named as a winner in the Queen’s Anniversary Prizes for Further and Higher Education. The announcement was made by the Royal Anniversary Trust by kind permission of Her Majesty The Queen, at a special reception at St James’s Palace.
The prizes recognise and celebrate the outstanding work within higher and further education institutions and the impact that they have. They are the UK’s most prestigious form of national recognition open to a UK academic or vocational institution.

The winning entries range from individual departments or research groups, to major international development projects to community schemes and cutting-edge research.
Joe Sargison, founder of the project, said: “I feel very honoured that the college has been recognised for our work on the Balls to Poverty Programme over the years.
“It gives me an opportunity for me to thank all the staff, sponsors, partners, teachers, parents and members of the public who have made contributions along the way to support us with
this work.
“Watching a group of youngsters chase bare-footed after a makeshift ball made of rags, I wanted to buy them a real leather ball from a local market.
“I was moved by what I saw in that Johannesburg Township in April 2004 and the vivid memory stays with me to this day.
“In 2005, the first ever group of 16 college students travelled to South Africa to coach young children and to hand out footballs in these deprived areas.
“By Easter 2012, 185 different male and female students from South Nottingham College will have since fundraised for 26,000 footballs and rugby balls and will have distributed them to over 35,000 young people in 35 different townships and ‘slums’ across South Africa and Uganda.”