County council accused of trying to 'destroy' tram extension
CAMPAIGNERS have accused Notts County Council of holding up the extension to Nottingham's tram system by failing to give up a strip of land needed for the plans.
The county council owns land between Cator Lane and Bramcote Lane in Chilwell, which is needed to complete Phase Two of the project.
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The land would have been given over to the tram project automatically when the county and city councils were working on it together as partners.
However, the county council withdrew its support ten months ago and has so far failed to reach an agreement with the city over the land transfer.
Nottingham City Council has now applied for a compulsory purchase order for the plot, which is likely to lead to a public inquiry which is estimated to cost to the taxpayer £200,000.
City officials say delays caused by the land deal could have added more than £5m to the project costs if they had waited any longer to take action.
The county council said negotiations over the land have taken a long time due to complex issues surrounding the land transfer but would not give any detail on what these issues were.
David Thornhill, chairman of Notts Campaign for Better Transport, said: "This is nothing more than an attempt to destroy the tram."
Broxtowe borough Councillor Steve Barber said: "They are just being awkward for some ideological purpose so they can say to the electorate they tried to stop it when it goes ahead."
During the county council election campaign last year, Tory leader Kay Cutts promised to withdraw the County Council's £28m support for the tram project unless the route was diverted from Beeston town centre and Chilwell and the cost was cut.
Deputy leader of the Labour run city council Graham Chapman then threatened they would begin legal action and try to claim £30m in damages if the county council tried to block the plan.
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by John, Carlton
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 11:28PM
“Don't be silly David, Nottingham. I'm not accusing anybody of taking a bung or acting with impropriety.
If a Labour Government select a person to inspect a scheme dear to their hearts that is backed by and powerfully lobbied for by both a Labour City Council and a then Labour County Council and also by numerous development agencies headed by political appointees, then no one should be surprised if they get the answer they wanted to hear.
I am also not naive enough to think it will be any different under this government.
When have you known an important public enquiry not coming out in favour of the sponsor - Gulf War spring to mind?”
by Neil, Beeston
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 6:08PM
“As the comrades at the Council House and their foot soldiers continually bang on about job creation from trams, perhaps Mr Sensible or Cllr Barber could enlighten us with the figures that must surely exist for job creation from line 1 - their claims must be evidence based, right? So......
How many jobs have been created in Hucknall & Bulwell as a direct result of line 1, and in which industrial sectors?
How many new businesses have set up in Hucknall & Bulwell as a direct result of line 1, and in which industrial sectors?
How many companies have relocated to Hucknall & Bulwell as a direct result of line 1?
If these figures can't be produced, perhaps people should take any claims about lines 2 & 3 with a huge pinch of salt.
And as all the discussion about this seems to be Beeston/Chilwell focussed, what about Clifton? How many jobs will be created there?
Perhaps that Fairy Jobmother who's on TV at the moment helping the unemployed find work should just tell them to go where there's a tram because jobs just fall off trees there - nothing to do with them needing the right skills.”
by arthur, Not the City
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 4:50PM
“Everytime the tax saving-service cutting County Council Tories make a decision, they seem to cost us more money.
This is an expensive way of Cllr Cutts snubbing the City, and at the same time preventing important infrastructure improvements.
As for William, being stuck in traffic. It's a no brainer Billy Boy, get out your car.”
by David, Nottingham
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 3:35PM
“I do hope that the independent inspector gets to see the comments posted by John of Carlton and is able to take action on these comments.”
by James French, The Park, Nottingham
Wednesday, July 28 2010, 3:22PM
“SuzieQ you have got your facts wrong. Line one has been an outstanding success and has exceeded all expectations. Please think before posting.”