Worldwide Tram Tracker: Nottingham Tramlink Expansion Behind Schedule

Nottingham is investing in a GBP570 million expansion to it's tram network, which has been quite successful since it's commencement in 2004. However, the construction of new lines by Taylor Woodrow Alstom is causing headaches for residents in the areas adjacent to the new tram lines, as work has been conducted at all hours of the evening. Shopkeepers and businesses have been badly impacted by delays in the project, which is running though heavily populated areas of the southern suburbs of Greater Nottingham. Many streets have been closed off for months.

The existing network which is operated by Nottingham Express Transit (NET) has well integrated fare structures that offer good value with other modes of transport in the region and many park-and-ride facilities to reduce the use of cars in the central areas of the city. Prior to the expansion it is one of the smallest tram systems in England, but passengers journeys in 2013/14 were growing by 6.4% per annum to 7.9 million journeys (or around 21,000 journeys per day).

The expansion has meant that new trams will be introduced to the existing system. Rather than expanding the existing Bombadier fleet, 22 new Citadis trams are being introduced to the network. Other variants of these trams are used are already used in many cities throughout the world.

Links to Flickr Photos of New Nottingham Trams: