The 9.8 Km route links directly to Line One (allowing through journeys without changing trams) at Nottingham Station on a new viaduct. Click here for MASTERPLAN page. The route then follows Meadows Way before passing through the Royal Ordnance Factory (ROF) Development site, over the Midland Main line railway, along Lenton Lane and Gregory Street and into the Queen's Medical Centre (QMC) site to serve a new hospital entrance to the south at the main 'B' floor level. The route then crosses over the A52 on a new bridge into the University of Nottingham, before operating along the south side of University Boulevard. The route passes into Beeston Town Centre along Lower Road, Fletcher Road and Middle Street. From Beeston Town Centre the route runs along High Road, Chilwell and through the Chilwell residential area via land behind Broxtowe College and the open space adjacent to Clumber Avenue and Eskdale Drive. The route terminates at a Park and Ride site adjacent to the A52(E) at Toton Lane / Stapleford Lane.
The route links the important transport destinations of Beeston Town Centre, the University of Nottingham, QMC, the Royal Ordnance Factory development site and the city centre. Through journeys onto Line One would be possible, so that you could travel from Chilwell to the Old Market Square, Royal centre and beyond without changing trams.
Current outline designs show 15 tram stops, attracting approximately 5.1 million passenger journeys a year.
Operational capability
Fast journey times from Beeston Town Centre to Nottingham City Centre outperform existing bus services. The route has high levels of separation from other traffic, but operates on-street along the busy High Road, Chilwell.
Usage
The route provides access to the key University, Royal Ordnance Factory development and QMC sites. High levels of population live close to the route in Chilwell, currently served by a relatively low frequency and circuitous existing bus service. There is a possibility of feeder bus services from Stapleford and Toton to link with NET.
Integration
The route offers enhanced integration with other modes of transport, particularly the potential for interchange with buses at the QMC, to link into the Ring Road 'major' guided bus proposal, and at University Boulevard (with the potential to serves shuttle bus services from Boots, Siemens etc) as well as integrating with Nottingham Railway Station and Beeston Bus Station.
Development/regeneration potential
The route has a strong potential with links through the Royal Ordnance Factory development site, the QMC and alongside the Highfields Science Park. There is also potential for a significant enhancement of High Road, Chilwell and opportunities for Beeston Town Centre.
Engineering impact
The route requires significant new bridges over the railway at Lenton
Lane and over the A52 between QMC and University and involves the acquisition
of 16 flats at Neville Sadler Court. A strip of land is required from
Highfields Science Park and the sports facilities alongside.
Some land acquisition would be required along High Road, Chilwell for
the provision of off-street parking, loading facilities and a tram stop,
and at Gwenbrook Avenue for the off-street alignment via Broxtowe College.
Environmental impact
No statutory conservation sites are affected on the route. The route passes close to the Kings Meadow Wildlife Trust Reserve and there could be a loss of habitat and a significant impact on wildlife.
In Chilwell, the route uses an open space corridor, which will require appropriate design and mitigation. The route between Inham Road and the Park and Ride site is in greenbelt.
Public acceptability
The main issues identified by the public are summarised in the April
report to the councils here.
