Last year the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) was created with newly elected Mayor Claire Ward at the helm. The authority now has control over local transport and as it continues to find its feet it has now been confirmed that they have earmarked £175 million for road and public transport improvements. So far, pretty much standard for a local authority but one of the more intriguing aspects of the press release is the very brief mention of potential expansion of Nottingham Express Transit.
There is just a single line in the press release related to the trams: “A commissioned study will start the work to review the potential for expanding the Nottingham Express Transit system to support housing and job growth.” It may only be a brief mention but it has peaked the interest of local press in Nottingham who in an article have asked the EMCCA for further details, who have duly given potential locations for any expansion.
The potential locations which will be reviewed are:
- Gedling
- Fairham Pastures development near Clifton
- Chetwynd Barracks development in Chilwell
The study will look to see how any extension could best support Nottingham’s new housing developments. But even if the study – which will be funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement – comes out in favour of tram extensions it will be some time before any plans will come to fruition such as the planning system works in the UK.
A spokesperson from the EMCCA said: “The proposal is to undertake feasibility work on potential extensions to NET. A number of options would be considered and these could include an extension from Nottingham City Centre East to Gedling and extensions through the Fairham Pastures and Chetwynd development sites in Nottinghamshire. Each of these routes would provide sustainable transport links to current and new development sites, potentially serving thousands of new homes and large areas of employment land.
“NET is a major part of the integrated public transport network, contributing significantly to economic growth in Greater Nottingham, improving access to jobs, and maximising inward investment. NET provides a reduction in emissions as an energy efficient mode of transport.”