Trams have now run on the entire Nottingham Express Transit Phase Two extensions following the arrival of the first tram at the Toton Park and Ride site on the Chilwell line during the night of Wednesday 1st April. This comes just two weeks after the terminus on the Clifton line was reached and now means it is full systems go with the testing and commissioning process on these new lines which will open later this year.
Citadis 223 was the tram chosen for the honour and it made several low speed runs on the line between University Boulevard and the terminus to ensure that everything was in order as is normal on the first runs on a new section of tramway. Everything went according to plan and further test runs are expected during the night of Thursday 2nd April before a break for Easter.
This now means that trams have run on the Chilwell run all the way to Totan Lane Park and Ride and also all the way on the Clifton line to Clifton South. However daytime testing is only being regularly undertaken on the Clifton line as far as Fairham Brook although this is expected to be extended shortly.
Phil Hewitt, Chief Executive of Tramlink Nottingham, said: “This is a really significant step forward in the project to deliver a world class tram network for Nottingham. Night time testing along the Chilwell line had already reached as far as University Boulevard but last night we were able to progress right through to the Toton Lane terminus. The construction phase through Beeston and Chilwell Road has obviously been a challenging and difficult period for local residents and traders and now they will be able to see trams under test over the coming months as we look forward to the opening of the network in the middle of the year. The testing and driver training programme can now really gather pace across the whole of Phase Two. As with other sections of the route, testing will continue at night through Beeston until day time runs are able commence in the weeks ahead.”
The Chilwell line features 15 new stops and leaves the Clifton route along Meadows Way. The stops built for this line are Meadows Way West, ng2, Gregory Street, Queen’s Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, University Boulevard, Middle Street, Beeston Centre, Chilwell Road, High Road – Central College, Cator Lane, Bramcote Lane, Eskdale Drive, Inham Road and Toton Lane. It is planned that trams will run from Hucknall on this line with the Clifton line being served by trams from Phoenix Park.
Nottingham Express Transit are being – understandably – tight lipped about when the line will open to the public but it should be hoped that before the year is out we will be enjoying the sight of trams running through new landscapes of a regular basis.
A view of the interchange at Beeston; trams along either side, buses through the middle.
Interesting trackwork at Middle Street Beeston – the straight line is the Chilwell bound track, the curve is a track into the interchange, connecting into the track towards Nottingham.
A view of 223 and 224 parked on the track adjacent to the end of University Boulevard nearest to Beeston.
A view of 223 and 224 showing the track layout, including a crossover and a siding. (All Photos by Bob Gell)