By Stephanie Bird
Construction and recruitment for Nottingham’s two new tram routes is well underway. NET Phase Two was given the go-ahead in December and the task of recruiting for the first 70 jobs marks the beginning of the multi-million pound development. Line Two will go from Nottingham to Clifton via Wilford and Compton Acres, and line three to Chillwell via Beeston.
Work to begin diverting utilities and clearing space for the tram has begun. However, the final lines won’t be ready until 2014. Although it will be a couple of years until the trams will be in use, this long period of construction has inevitably divided opinion among residents that will be affected by the new routes.
April Cole, a hairdresser from Clifton, said: “I think it’s great. It will mean quick and easy access into Nottingham. I’ll definitely use it.”
However, not everyone is in favour. A resident from Wilford Village is particularly worried about the amount of disruption that the construction will cause.
“The amount of traffic in Wilford Village is bad enough at the moment, but with all the heavy good vehicles travelling in and out for the trams, it’s going to be horrendous,” she said. “It’s going to cause a huge disruption with the noise too and have quite a big impact on the village’s community. I’m really not very keen.”
NET hope that when the two new lines are complete, congestion on major and local roads will be reduced with three million car journeys taken off the road. This will mirror the success of Nottingham’s first route which opened for service in 2004.

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.

Just days after the Government confirmed that funding is to be made available to enable the construction of two more tram lines in Nottingham, the City Council revealed its preferred bidder to build and operate the extended network. The next phase involves a line to Clifton, which will run via Wilford and Compton Acres and also a line to Chilwell via Beeston. Tramlink Nottingham beat offcompetition from the current provider,
Arrow Connect. To ensure the extended tram network’s operation is fully integrated with the existing Line One, the contract with Arrow will be terminated.
Jane Todd, Nottingham City Council’s chief executive, said: “The process of selecting a preferred bidder has involved a lengthy, formal and highly demanding process to ensure the best outcome for both the city and the future of the tram. We received two very strong bids but Tramlink Nottingham has come out on top. We look forward to working with them to develop their proposals before awarding the full contract.”
Roger Harrison, Tramlink Nottingham chairman, added: “We are delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder. Building on Arrow’s successful legacy, we are excited to be taking forward the next chapter in Nottingham’s tram story. Our focus now will be on working with Nottingham City Council to ensure NET Phase Two can be introduced at the earliest opportunity.
“We have put together an extremely strong partnership and we are confident of being able to create a network which will not only be efficient and effective in terms of meeting the city’s transport needs but which will also help to take Nottingham’s international status to a new level.”
Subject to final negotiations and the contract being awarded in late summer 2011, construction work on the new lines could start by the end of the year. Passenger services across the extended tram network could be fully operational by 2014.
The Government backing for funding is a major boost for the tram network at a time they are pulling out of some projects.
“This is a very positive development. We have worked hard with government to ensure that NET Phase Two is delivered as cost effectively as possible,” added councillor Jane Todd.
“NET Phase Two is crucial for the future of Nottingham’s economy and to attract new jobs to the City “

Just days after the Government confirmed that funding is to be made available to enable the construction of two more tram lines in Nottingham, the City Council revealed its preferred bidder to build and operate the extended network. The next phase involves a line to Clifton,which will run via Wilford and ComptonAcres and also a line to Chilwell via Beeston. Tramlink Nottingham beat offcompetition from the current provider, Arrow Connect. To ensure the extended tram network’s operation is fully integrated with the existing Line One, the contract with Arrow will be terminated.
Jane Todd, Nottingham City Council’s chief executive, said: “The process of selecting a preferred bidder has involved a lengthy, formal and highly demanding process to ensure the best outcome for both the city and the future of the tram. We received two very strong bids but Tramlink Nottingham has come out on top. We look forward to working with them to develop their proposals before awarding the full contract.”
Roger Harrison, Tramlink Nottingham chairman, added: “We are delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder. Building on Arrow’s successful legacy, we are excited to be taking forward the next chapter in Nottingham’s tram story. Our focus now will be on working with Nottingham City Council to ensure NET Phase Two can be introduced at the earliest opportunity.
“We have put together an extremely strong partnership and we are confident of being able to create a network which will not only be efficient and effective in terms of meeting the city’s transport needs but which will also help to take Nottingham’s international status to a new level.”
Subject to final negotiations and the contract being awarded in late summer 2011, construction work on the new lines could start by the end of the year. Passenger services across the extended tram network could be fully operational by 2014.
The Government backing for funding is a major boost for the tram network at a time they are pulling out of some projects.
Tramlink Nottingham comprises:
VINCI PLC
A world leader in concessions and contracting with a regional presence throughout the UK where it incorporates Norwest Holst and Taylor Woodrow. Recent UK contracts include the upgrade of Docklands Light Railway and the redevelopment of King’s Cross station. The company is also bidding for Crossrail work.  More locally, student housing at at Nottingham Trent University Clifton campus and the new Nottingham Station car park.
Alstom
With a focus on sustainable transport, Alstom Transport develops and offers the most complete range of systems, equipment and services on the international rail market. Over 1,500 Alstom Citidas trams have been ordered by 36 cities.
Keolis (Keolis (UK) Limited)
The UK arm of the world’s largest private tram operating company, Keolis is responsible for extensive range of multi-modal public transport systems handling some 2.2 billion passenger journeys per year.
Wellglade (Wellglade Limited)
Wellglade own Trent Barton which is the UK’s largest independent bus operator.
Meridiam
Meridiam Infrastructure Managers is a leading international fund manager managing funds focused exclusively on investing in equity and junior capital in Public Private Partnership assets within OECD member countries.
Infravia (OFI Infravia)
A private investment fund with core business in long-term investments in infrastructure.

Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council have negotiated a settlement to transfer the County’s interests and obligations as joint-promoter of the NET (Nottingham Express Transit) tram system to the City Council. It is expected that this settlement will be finalised to allow the City Council to take the project forward as sole promoter.
Following a change in administration in June 2009, the County Council resolved to withdraw from the NET Phase Two project. When Phase Two to Clifton and Silverdale is built, line one and the new lines two and three will be operated as one integrated network. The settlement agreement will result in the County Council withdrawing its interests in Line One. At a meeting of Nottingham City Council in July 2009, it was agreed that the City Council would find any local funding shortfall for the two new tram lines because of the County’s withdrawal as a joint promoter.
Councillor Jane Urquhart said: “Although the City Council would prefer to remain in partnership with the County Council, to build an extended tram network from which residents in both the city and county will benefit, we accept the County Council’s decision to withdraw from the project and we are pleased that we are now able to progress with it.
“As with NET Line One, the project has excellent financial controls and we are confident it can be built within the public affordability budget, as we did with Line One. In the past, the two councils have worked well together to ensure that residents in the region have access to the best possible public transport. We will continue to liase closely with the County to ensure that the construction phase is handled properly both in the county and the city and that we maintain the excellent reputation we currently have.”

The Government has announced its support for two more tram lines in Nottingham. It means tram work in the Borough of Rushcliffe could begin as early as autumn next year and be completed by 2014.
Leader of Nottingham City Council, Councillor Jon Collins, said: “This is very good news for Nottingham. We have worked hard to argue the case for two more tram lines because the benefits to Nottingham and the surrounding area are so great that it would be foolish not to pursue with the proposals.
“I’m pleased that the Government has clearly recognised this and the strength of our proposals. This go-ahead means the extended tram network can now play its key part in shaping the future prosperity of this city, helping Nottingham to weather the current economic storm and come out the other side stronger and more resilient.
“The city will be even more attractive to employers as a place to locate, bringing more jobs and creating more wealth for our citizens. We’ve always believed that the scheme offers good value for money. But in these straitened times, we now have the challenge of responding to the Government’s demands to bring the cost down even further.
“Our focus is on working with the Government to identify further savings. We will do all we can to ensure that two new tram lines are operational as close to the timetable that we have already set out.”
MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood, told The Local News: “At a time when the Coalition’s swingeing cuts threaten our city, it’s fantastic news that Ministers in the Department for Transport have listened to reason and accepted the arguments I put forward, on behalf of Nottingham, giving our extra tram lines the green light.”