Gordon Brown told it would be shortsighted not to extend tram
A COUNCIL chief has warned Gordon Brown not extending Nottingham's tram network would be "short-sighted".
Notts County Council leader Coun David Kirkham told the Prime Minister failing to add lines to Beeston and Clifton would be "a real opportunity missed".
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A city tram in Old Market Square
He wrote to Number Ten ahead of publication of a report by a planning inspector following a public inquiry on the tram extensions.
Coun Kirkham told the Post: "This was just to put a bit of extra pressure on the Government.
"It was to urge him to bring it forward in view of the country's economic position."
Coun Kirkham, who has also lobbied Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon, insisted he had no concerns about the possibility of the scheme being rejected.
His letter stated: "The impact these proposals will have on job creation, better transport links and the wider economy are not to be underestimated.
"NET Line One has, without doubt, been a success, not just for the large number of users, but for the economy as a whole."
The letter stated that surveys of passengers using the existing tramline showed very high satisfaction rates.
"Not to build on this success would be short-sighted and a real opportunity missed," said Coun Kirkham.
He said the success of the existing tram shows that fixed transport links provide a focus for regenerating an area.
"The proposals alone for NET Phase Two have already attracted new businesses to the region," his letter added.
It is estimated that by 2021, 11,800 new jobs will have been created as a result of NET Phase Two.
Extending the network would be a "catalyst for further regeneration, providing years of construction work" which would help the local economy, said Coun Kirkham.
"It will also provide a number of sustainable transport and maintenance jobs," his letter added.
"The new tram routes will open up development opportunities in some of the most deprived areas in the region.
"Nottinghamshire needs to be ready for the recovery of the economy and to be able to meet long-term demand by bringing forward the necessary improvements to its public transport infrastructure.
"We therefore urge you to consider the NET Phase Two proposals as a key priority."
chris.birkle@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
3 Comments
by Cllr Steve Barber, Beeston
Monday, February 02 2009, 4:09PM
“A popular misconception:
The trouble with just buying lots of buses mg is that they need roads to run on. The roads are at congestion. To build more roads would be a lot more expensive and environmentally unfriendly. The tram costs include building the lines for them to run on most of which are not on the road and are on completely new formations.
Just buying lots of trams would also be pointless.”
by mg, st ann's
Monday, February 02 2009, 12:04PM
“could someone tell me how many buses could be bought with the money that
has been spent on the tram so far, they can also be re-routed to where they are needed, unlike the tram. surely buying buses would be a much better idea?”
by Have A Go Hero, Nottingham
Monday, February 02 2009, 11:51AM
“Fancy telling Gordon Brown that.
He's about as blind as a Bat and as deaf as a door post anyway so do you think for 1 second he can see or hear that”