Daylight testing commences on NET Phase Two

The next step towards the start of public services on Nottingham Express Transit’s Phase Two extensions has been made with the commencement of daylight testing in The Meadows and on to Wilford Lane. The first test runs took place on Monday 9th February with Citadis 223 the tram in use on this first day.

Intensive night-time tests have been taking place on the Clifton line as far as Wilford Lane over the past few months and following the successful completion of this the next stage of testing has commenced. Local schools and residents have been informed that the daylight testing will be taking place – it is due to only take place between 1000 and 1500 for the time being.

As well as this testing, a Citadis tram is due to be stabled on Wilford Toll Bridge between 1500 and 1600 on Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th February. This will allow members of the public the chance to see the tram up close and also to find out more details about the testing as it becomes more intensive.

Meanwhile night-time testing is will continue into Clifton Town Centre and on the Chilwell extension as far as ng2 over the next few weeks before further daylight testing can start.

Phil Hewitt, Chief Executive of Tramlink Nottingham, said: “Major construction work on the extensions to Clifton and Chilwell is virtually complete with track having been laid along the entire route. Now local communities will start to see the testing and commissioning phase of the project really gathering pace over the coming weeks. The extensive testing of infrastructure, tracks and equipment across the expanded network is progressing well. Night-time trials are currently taking place on the line as far as Clifton town centre and as far as the ng2 Business Park, on the new line to Chilwell.”

No date for the full opening of the line has yet to be announced although at the least the start of these tests during the day is a visible sign that progress is being made towards the start of public services later this year.