The Department for Transport (DfT) granted provisional Government funding approval in October 2006. In April 2007 the Promoters of the NET system, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, submitted an application for a Transport & Works Act Order (TWAO), requesting the powers to buy land, build and run NET Phase Two. Everybody had the chance to comment on the TWAO application during a six week consultation period which ended in June 2007 - people wrote to the Secretary of State for Transport and were formally recognised as either a supporter or an objector.

In July 2007 the DfT announced it would hold a Public Inquiry so that everybody has the chance to present their views to an independent Inspector. The Public Inquiry began at 10:00am on Tuesday 6th November 2007 at the Nottingham Britannia Hotel and is expected to last for at least six weeks. Mr Robert Barker, from the Planning Inspectorate, has been appointed by the Secretary of State for Transport to chair the Public Inquiry, consider the evidence put forward by all supporters and objectors then present his findings back to the Secretary of State for Transport. The Public Inquiry is an open process – so anyone is welcome to come and listen.

In August 2007 the Promoters submitted their ‘Statement of Case’ to the DfT – this is a document which outlines the rationale for NET Phase Two – click here to view this document.

In total over 150 businesses and residents have produced Statement of Case documents and told the DfT they’d like to participate in the Public Inquiry – click here to view these documents.

In September 2007 there was a Pre-Public Inquiry Meeting which invited together all of the people participating in the Public Inquiry. The meeting outlined how the Public Inquiry will run and what everybody can expect.

In advance of the Public Inquiry those participating have prepared their written ‘Proof of Evidence’ documents - these are detailed documents which set out the points participants would like Mr Barker to consider – click here to view the Promoters’ Proof of Evidence documents.All of the statutory objectors and people participating in the Public Inquiry have automatically received the Promoters’ Proofs of Evidence – unless they’ve told us they’d rather not have them. Part of the Promoters’ Proofs of Evidence will provide answers and replies to issues raised by NET Phase Two objectors – click here to view this document.

All of the Statement of Case documents and the Promoters’ Proof of Evidence documents are on display at libraries and public buildings along the proposed routes – click here to see the venues.

Based on the conclusion of the Public Inquiry, the Secretary of State for Transport will make a decision whether or not to grant a TWAO. If the TWAO is granted, construction could start in 2010 with trams running in 2013.