02.07.14
15 new trams for Nottingham delivered – but extension delayed
The phase two expansion of Nottingham’s tram system is not likely to open until early next year, rather than the end of this year as hoped, because of delays duering construction.
The contractors, a JV of Taylor Woodrow and Alstom, said most of the major construction works on Nottingham Express Transit phase two will be finished by the end of this summer, with the major structures ‘virtually complete’ already, as is the utility diversion scheme.
It says that 25km of track has been laid along the two routes, with OLE installation “well underway”, and 15 of the 22 new trams have been delivered.
Paul Harris, programme director, said: “There has been speculation recently that construction works might be unduly delayed until next year. Yes, the project has presented some challenges, but we are on target to substantially complete all key infrastructure works over the next two to three months and we are working towards handing the new lines over for passenger services in the first part of 2015. We appreciate that the work has caused disruption, but by the end of the summer the removal of all the major traffic management schemes, will be well underway. There will be some ongoing more minor works throughout the autumn, but these will be on a significantly reduced scale.”
The first of the new Alstom Citadis trams will enter service on phase one by next month, with testing to follow on the phase two extension.
Nottingham City Council planning and transportation leader Cllr Jane Urquhart said: “I’m pleased that Taylor Woodrow Alstom has reaffirmed that the major construction works which have been disruptive to traffic and local communities, will be completed by the end of the summer. It is however disappointing that they have confirmed that they will not be able to fully open tram services to Clifton and Chilwell to the public in December 2014.
“We acknowledge that once construction works are substantially completed, the next stage of the project, which involves testing and establishing the operational arrangements along the new routes, is a complex process which the contractor was planning to complete during December, but they have now informed us that the testing programme is likely to go beyond this point. The most important thing is that the new lines, and the associated improvements to the public realm around the new lines, open only after they have been rigorously tested to ensure that they are safe, and that the works are completed to the highest possible standard.”
Jonathan Smith of Alstom sent us the great photos of the Citadis trams, above and top, stabled outside the depot before they go on testing circuits of the city.
Alstom has a “triple role” with the Nottingham tram system maintaining the existing trams (pictured below), building the extension and supplying the new Citadis trams.
