Nottingham has finally unveiled two brand new tram lines after three years of significant disruption.
The existing tram lines, from Hucknall and Pheonix Park, previously stopped at Nottingham train station but NET Phase 2 will now connect them with Clifton South and Toton Lane every few minutes.
The opening comes after three years of significant disruption for residents and businesses living along the tram lines.
Nottingham city is now expected to reap the benefits from a green and fully integrated transport city.
It means that 30 per cent of the Greater Nottingham population is now within 800 metres of a tram stop, while it provides access to 1,270 work places for 55,000 commuters.
Picture: The first passengers on board this mornings tram after the new lines open.
Passengers can now board a tram in Beeston, Stapleford and The Meadows, while it also passes the University of Nottingham and the NG2 Business Park.
The £570 million project will make Nottingham the first UK city to have a tram that serves a major hospital as a stop opens at the Queens Medical Centre.
With trams running every seven minutes during peak times, the new line gives patients, visitors and staff easier access to the hospital. It links QMC’s South Block with a new 1,300 space park and ride site at Toton Lane.
Peter Homa, NUH Chief Executive, said: Becoming the first hospital in the country to be served by trams, is a remarkable achievement and one that sets NUH and the city of Nottingham apart.”
“We have been working with patients to strengthen wayfinding to help those who arrive by tram to find their way in and around the hospital.”
“We continue to progress our plans for a new south entrance at QMC that will provide direct access into the hospital from the tram platform and main patient and visitor car parks. We hope the new entrance will be in place by the end of 2016.”
Picture: The first tram arriving this morning
Experts have said that the new tram lines could generate £300 million a year for the local economy and help create 8,000 jobs in the long-term.
Over the past three years, the tram lines have caused severe disruption to traffic, delays in construction and small businesses struggling to make ends meet.
But now for residents in Beeston and Clifton they will now not only be able to enjoy easier access to the city centre but it has been said that house prices could increase by 10 per cent.
“We know the construction process has caused inconvenience and disruption for some communities but we hope they will soon start to see that it has been worthwhile.
-NET Marketing Manager, Jamie Swift
Mr Swift believes that the new tram lines will double the amount of passengers who use the service.
“As work has progressed on the new lines, the tram fleet has been boosted by the arrival of the new Citadis trams, enabling NET to increase service frequencies.”
“At the same time we’ve refurbished the existing fleet and invested in state-of-the-art technology for ‘buy before you board’ ticketing and smart card payment.”
Councillor Nick McDonald, the portfolio for jobs, growth and transport at Nottingham City Council, says that it is exactly the kind of “world class” infrastructure needed to give Nottingham a competitive edge.
He believes that with the number of car users in the city below the national average it is now about developing the kind of city we want to see in 20 years time.
“When other cities are congested and don’t have the infrastructure that we’re building, we will have a competitive edge – a clean, green, non-congested city that gives us choice about how we move around.”
