City to press ahead with tram plans
NOTTINGHAM City Council today confirmed it will go ahead with the proposed extensions to the tram network – providing Notts County Council does not impede progress.
The county council has already said it will pull its £28m contribution to the plans, and the city is now trying to find out whether it will also try to block them from continuing alone.
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Coun Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for transport and area working, said: "NET Phase Two is too crucial to the future prosperity of Nottingham and the region to even contemplate pulling the plug on it.
"My colleagues and I have been approached by businesses pleading with us to ensure that we continue with the project. I want to be able to give them the reassurance that we will go ahead with our plans."
She added that NET Phase Two was at the heart of future major developments such as the Medi Park, Beeston Town Centre Masterplan, the expansion of the ng2 businesses park and the Science Park.
Coun Urquhart said: "Nottingham City Council recognises the value of a modern, efficient and clean public transport system.
"Sadly this view is not shared by the Conservative Group at the county council despite all the factors being fully and thoroughly examined at the public inquiry. However, all we ask of them is that they do not impede our progress."
Nottingham City Council said it is committed to finding the shortfall in funding which will exist if the county council fulfils its promise to withdraw its contribution.
NET Phase Two will extend the existing tram network to the south and west of the city. It will take in densely populated areas such as the Meadows, Clifton, Beeston and Chilwell, and key destinations such as the QMC and the University of Nottingham.
It will provide access to over 1,800 workplaces in the area to which around 55,000 employees commute. It will also connect to two new park and ride sites; one in Clifton off the A453 and the other near junction 25 of the M1.
Coun Urquhart said: "Nottingham is a dynamic, ambitious and thriving city which is proud of its many achievements. The success of the existing tram line, NET Line One, is evident for all to see. We want Nottingham to be able to deal with the current global economic difficulties and grow as a stronger force in the future."
The new Tory administration at County Hall has said it does not support the extension because not enough people throughout Notts would benefit.
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by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Sunday, August 23 2009, 1:57AM
“Errrmmmmmmmmmmm:
As you posted:
"Give me three hundfred quid a year and I'll invest it for you in not only clamping the wheels on your car, but letting your tyres down, puncturing the sidewalls, putting sugar in your fuel tank and a potatoe up your exhaust, draining your sump, and supergluing your doors.
Oh, and chaining up your gates.
And doing the same at your supposed business" B J Mann.
What is this inane rubbish? Are you making threats now?
That seems highly unlikely.
.”
by Bruce, Beeston
Friday, June 26 2009, 11:25AM
“I was being facetious Mr Mann. I realise what you were trying to get at - I just thought it was a bit of a crazy way of expressing yourself. Wibble.”
by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Thursday, June 25 2009, 5:21PM
“Errmmmmmmm, Bruce:
If you actually bothered to read the thread before making your little "contribution" you'd understand.
.
FW claims that if he were offered a "return" on the "investment" of the WPL he'd grab it instead of whining about the size of the investment.
.
I've merely offered him the chance to make a WPL sized investment in return for the same "return" the tram provides, according to the tram fanatics themselves, who gloat about it being a rolling roadblock.
Line One has generated the "investment" in the "improvements" of narrowing Hucknall road, and sevaral alternative routes, from two lanes each way to one lane each way, not just halving capacity, but gridlocking traffic behind the slowest vehicle on the road.
Then there's the additional "investments" in "improvemments" such as strangling all the junctions in the area to a single approach lane.
.
I'm not in a position to, and I wouldn't want to, strangle and gridlock the whole mof FW's transport corridor.
But if he really want's to prove he's jump at such "improvements" and "investements", being the kind and helpful person I am, I've merely offered him the opportunity he says he craves.
.
Where's the threat in that?
Or are you admitting the tram is a threat to what's left of Nottingham's road "system"?!?!?!
.
Which FW knew all along.
Which is why he is so desperately backpedalling.
.”
by Mr B J Mann, Nottingham
Thursday, June 25 2009, 5:09PM
“No need to dissect anything.
Tram "fans" want us to believe that businesses will only come to developments served by the tram and won't if they are only served by road.
I've told them it's "Time to put up or shut up, boys".
And asked them to "Find us a dozen, just half a dozen, even, (for FW: three dimensional Nottingham Chamber of Commerce) business leaders who will stand up and say that if they had a choice of moving to one of two developments:
One with tram links but no road links whatsoever, and the other with road links but no tram links whatsoever:
They would definately always move to the one with tram links but no road links whatsoever.
But would never consider moving to the one with road links but no tram links whatsoever."
But I'm:
*STILL* Waiting......
.”
by Tom, Lenton
Thursday, June 25 2009, 2:12PM
“What a heated debate!! It's all getting a bit much for me. Incidentally I think the tram would be a good thing for Nottingham as it provides a greener method of public transport and also brings businesses to our city. You only have to look at the development of the Phoenix Business Park in Hucknall to see that. We are in a prime location in the centre of the country adjacent to the M1 and anything that can improve our infrastructure should be welcomed. I'm not completely au fait with the funding element, but I would guess that there would be incentives from both Westminster and Brussels for such a project.
Well that's my two penneth anyway. Disect it as you will.”