News

Final section of track laid for Nottingham tram extension

Track laying has been completed on a 17.5-kilometre extension of Nottingham’s tram network.

More than 3,800 sections of track have been laid using Alstom’s automated Appitrack system, extending Nottingham’s light rail system from the city centre railway station to Chilwell and Clifton.

With track laying now complete on both the Chilwell and Clifton branches, tram operator NET has said testing and commissioning will now “step up a gear”.

Phil Hewitt, chief executive of NET concessionaire Tramlink Nottingham, said:

“The completion of track laying is another landmark achievement for the NET Phase Two project and reflects the skill and dedication of the construction teams involved – including many people recruited from Nottingham and surrounding areas. The work to date – including the diversion and upgrading of buried pipes and cables – has been difficult and complex but we can now look forward to seeing trams being tested on the new sections of track. Before they can carry passengers, the lines have to pass extensive safety and performance tests, and this process includes examining all the signalling and communications systems as well as the new tracks and infrastructure.”

The expanded network was due to open in December but complications have pushed that date back to early 2015. All 22 of the new Alstom Citadis trams have now been delivered and have begun transporting passengers around the city.