PLANS to extend Nottingham's tram system appeared to be on track when the city and county councils were running the scheme between them.

The Government had given conditional approval for the funding, all the land needed was secured and the green light was given to the workplace parking levy to pay for the scheme.

But that all changed on September 24 last year when the county council, which had just been taken over by a Conservative administration, formally issued a notice to withdraw as joint promoter.

Campaigners and transport officials hoped the county council's change of heart would not slow the project down, especially as the authority agreed it had an obligation "to bring about a timely transfer of all necessary matters".

The city council believes this meant the county would hand over a strip of land between Cator Lane and Bramcote Lane in Chilwell.

But almost ten months on and the county council has still not started the required procedure.

Nottingham City Council, which is leading the scheme alone, says it is unclear whether its former partner is willing to resolve the matter before next summer when the Treasury is due to sign off the funding for the scheme. It has now applied for a compulsory purchase order on the land.

The city council says the cost of the scheme could have rocketed by £5 million if it had waited to act any longer.

As it is, the process needed to secure a compulsory purchase order is likely to result in a public inquiry estimated to cost at least £200,000.

Campaigners and officials claim city taxpayers will be left counting the cost of political posturing over the tram by the county council.

Broxtowe borough councillor Steve Barber said: "This exercise is a waste of money and I find it odd that the party which claims to be custodian of the public purse is willing to waste this public money."

Mr Barber believed the county council would have already handed over the land if it was willing to do so voluntarily.

He said that Broxtowe Borough Council had struck a voluntary deal over a separate piece of land needed for the tram in Chilwell. As a result, it secured £500,000, which it spent on community facilities including a sports pavilion.

David Thornhill, chairman of Notts Campaign for Better Transport, said: "This is nothing more than an attempt to destroy the tram.

"Council leader Kay Cutts did issue this letter saying they wouldn't obstruct the tram so I would say they are not honouring the agreement."

If a last-minute deal is reached, the city council said it would withdraw its compulsory purchase application.

Tim Malynn, corporate director of communities for the county council, said negotiations were taking time because of their complexity. "The council fully acknowledges its contractual obligations to cooperate with the city following its withdrawal and it is cooperating in accordance with those obligations," he said.

Of the 36 Conservative county councillors, 31 have a message about the tram on their personal section of the council website which includes the statement: "As a Conservative county councillor I was elected on a manifesto which stated 'we will avoid spending a small fortune on tram extensions which few people in the county will be able to use.'"