Comparisons

There are two primary routes that we are considering; Clifton via Queen's Drive and Clifton via Wilford.
Initial studies suggest that the Clifton via Wilford route is the stronger route when tested against most of the criteria which Government will take into account when considering our NETwork proposal. What do you think?

To Clifton via Queen's Drive		To Clifton via Wilford
description		description
From Nottingham Station the route would follow Meadows Way before passing through the Crossgate Drive / Electric Avenue (Riverside) commercial area. It would then serve the Queen's Drive Park and Ride site before crossing the River Trent on a new bridge and running through Clifton to terminate at a new Park and Ride site near the A453.		From Nottingham Station the route would run along Queen's Walk, over the Wilford Toll Bridge and along the former railway line next to Wilford and Compton Acres. It would then continue south of Silverdale before running through Clifton to a new Park and Ride site near the A453.
key issues		key issues
Links important transport destinations of Clifton centre, Nottingham Trent University, Crossgate Drive/Electric Avenue (Riverside) commercial area and the City Centre.		Links important transport destinations of Clifton centre, Nottingham Trent University, the Meadows and the City Centre. The route would be very convenient for residential areas in Clifton, Compton Acres, Wilford and the Meadows.
Slower journey time than Wilford route but would outperform existing bus services.		Fast journey time from Clifton and the Compton Acres/Wilford residential area to Nottingham City Centre, outperforming existing bus services.
Route would have more impact on traffic as it is less segregated and crosses busy key roads. Route serves the existing Park and Ride site at Queen's Drive and a new site near the A453.		Route would mostly be separated from other traffic, making it a highly reliable and punctual service. Route would serve a new Park and Ride site near the A453 and a possible small site at Wilford Road to cater for traffic from Ruddington.
Route would have higher construction and running costs than the Wilford route.		Lower construction and running costs than Queen's Drive route.
Lower expected passenger numbers and value for money compared to the Wilford route.		Higher expected passenger numbers and value for money than Queen's Drive route.
Loss of rich riverside habitat and impact on wildlife where a new bridge over the River Trent would be built. Significant impact on floodplain would require work to minimise adverse effects. The Park and Ride site near the A453 and some track would be in Green Belt. Careful design and construction management can mitigate some environmental impacts.		Potential ecological impact greater than Queen's Drive route. Loss of habitat and impact on wildlife on the former railway line wildlife site and reduction in the amenity of the footpath. The route does not touch the Wilwell Farm Cutting Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), although there could be an indirect impact. Lesser impact on floodplain, but work would be required to minimise disturbance. Route would operate along the pedestrian and cycle only Queen's Walk. The Park and Ride site near the A453 and some track would be in Green Belt. Careful design and construction management can mitigate some environmental impacts. Former railway lines are safeguarded in the Nottinghamshire Structure Plan for future transport use.
Minimal private land would be required.		Acquisition of two properties near Farnborough Comprehensive School and some minor land acquisition elsewhere would be required.
Difficult engineering problems in the River Trent floodplain and the crossing of Clifton Boulevard/Queen's Drive. A new bridge would be needed to cross the River Trent. Sharing track with a Beeston via Boots route (if chosen) would give some cost saving.		The Wilford Toll Bridge would require widening to allow for the tram, pedestrians and cyclists. Work would be required to retain the floodbank near Iremonger Pond and to lower or remove the former railway line embankment.

The information above reflects criteria used to judge routes (see key). The full reports to the County and City Councils which provide more information on route choices are available for download here, they will also be available at the consultation events and at Public Libraries near the routes.

Click on the aerial map to view in greater detail.

Route Alternatives

The lines on the map below show all the possible Clifton route options that are being considered between Nottingham City Centre and the proposed Park and Ride near the A453.

The solid yellow lines show our suggested routes via Wilford and via Queen's Drive.

The dotted yellow lines show possible alternatives to our suggested routes in the Clifton area and crossing the River Trent. Two of these options (numbers 1 and 2) affect the Clifton via Queen's Drive route, the third affects both routes. These options (1,2 and 3) are explained below.

The coloured lines within the box show route options in the Wilford and Compton Acres areas on the Clifton via Wilford route. These options are considered in detail below.

We would like your views on all of these options.

A new bridge over the River Trent to the west of Clifton Boulevard.

A lesser environmental impact but a more expensive option and longer journey time than our suggested route (shown by the solid yellow line) and with difficult engineering problems crossing under Clifton Boulevard. Using the existing Clifton Bridge is not feasible due to the heavy traffic and very difficult tram movements on and off the bridge.

Clifton Lane to Southchurch Drive via the open space between Clifton and Silverdale.

This option would run along a shorter section of Farnborough Road but an expensive bridge or complicated new junction would be required to cross Clifton Lane and the route would operate through existing Green Belt close to Fairham Brook. Two properties would need to be acquired close to Farnborough Comprehensive School.

Clifton Centre to the new Park and Ride site via Green Lane and Clifton Lane

This option would provide improved access to Nottingham Trent University and west Clifton but would serve south Clifton less well than the suggested route. Part of the garage on Clifton Lane next to the Man of Trent pub would need to be acquired and there would be a significant impact on the screen of trees on Gardendale Avenue. Much slower journey time from the Park and Ride site.

click here to view the different options