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Responding to your questions and explaining
where we go from here.
We recently carried out a sample consultation along the corridors of proposed future tram routes and received a high level of response to this exercise, demonstrating strong support for all possible lines and identifying key areas where there is real concern. This page focuses on the process ahead and provides responses to many of the questions we have received.
Your Questions and Issues Addressed
- Q: Why do we want a tram network in Nottingham?
- Q: I am concerned for the value of my property. Is compensation available?
- Q: I am concerned that property will need to be demolished.
- Q: I am concerned that the tram is a substitute for existing public transport.
- Q: I am concerned for the safety of children. What will you do to protect them?
- Q: I am concerned for the tram’s viability in terms of patronage. What steps are you taking to ensure that the route will be popular enough to make it successful?
- Q: I am concerned that the tram won’t attract new businesses to locate along it.
- Q: I am concerned about the effects of casual park and ride.
- Q: Is the tram noisy?
- Q: How would the tram’s electrical supply be kept safe?
- Q: I am concerned that Sheffield’s Supertram was initially unsuccessful and cost local taxpayers.
- Q: I am concerned that trees could be removed.
- Q: I am concerned for retail areas during construction.
- Q: I am concerned that the tram system would increase the likelihood of flooding or subsidence following construction.
- Q: I am concerned about access for emergency services.
- Q: I am concerned that overhead electrical cables will be unsightly.
- Q: I am concerned for the loss of open space.
- Q: I am concerned that park and ride sites could be built on green belt land.
- Q: How important is public acceptability?
Q: Why do we want a tram network in Nottingham?
A: As a successful and economically vibrant city, Nottingham needs an integrated public transport system that will allow increased access to the city centre for all sections of the community without adding to the number of cars on the road and the congestion and pollution they create.
NET will offer: -
- High capacity with regular services
- Fast access to many parts of Nottingham (City Centre, Station, District Centres etc.)
- Links to other modes of transport (park and ride, cycle parks, bus routes, national rail etc.)
- Accessibility for all (Line One vehicles are 100% low floor)
- Comfortable public transport (Line One trams are fully air conditioned and smooth riding)
- An environmentally friendly addition to Nottingham’s integrated transport strategy.
Q: I am concerned for the value of my property. Is compensation available?
A: We do understand that people are concerned for the value of their property. Whilst the national compensation code for public works would apply in a case where the value of a property fell due to the direct physical impact of the operation of the tram such as significant noise or vibration (unlikely with a quiet tram system), there is no facility for compensation simply for loss of amenity. Experience elsewhere has shown that property values could rise as a result of the improved access that the tram will bring.
Q: I am concerned that property will need to be demolished.
A: If it is necessary to use private land or acquire property on the route of a future line then there are legal processes that must be completed and which protect the rights of the owner of the land or property. We will work with the owners of any property to manage the implications of any compulsory purchase of land or demolition of property so as to minimise the impact on their lifestyle or business. People would be treated with the utmost concern. The value of any compulsory purchase - to cover market value and expenses - is ultimately decided by the Lands Tribunal. A DTLR document is available “Land Compensation : Your Rights Explained”. Tel: 0870 122 6236.
Q: I am concerned that the tram is a substitute for existing public transport.
A: The tram is one part of an integrated transport vision and strategy that we have for the conurbation and is not a substitute for other modes of transport. This vision supports all modes of transport, including the car, but centres on the use of appropriate transport. The tram will help to remove unnecessary car journeys from the roads, which in turn will reduce congestion and pollution. The tram will also provide a fast and reliable link to the city centre and other centres of activity for thousands of people. Local bus routes may change to better co-ordinate with the tram which would enable trams and buses to serve a wider catchment area more effectively and efficiently. Building a tram is not about replacing the public transport of today; it’s about providing for the public transport needs of the future. Nottingham will create 40,000 new jobs in the next ten years. We need additional public transport capacity of a quality to persuade car drivers not to bring their cars into the city.
Q: I am concerned for the safety of children. What will you do to protect them?
A: We take public safety considerations very seriously and we are concerned for the safety of children living near to the tram lines that we may build. We are already focusing on this issue along the route of Line One. Our Road Safety Officers are closely involved in the project and will be involved when future lines are built. All public access and particular crossing points will be carefully considered and appropriate designs developed. Ensuring the safety of children requires quality information and education in addition to safety being built-in to the system’s design.
Q: I am concerned for the tram’s viability in terms of patronage. What steps are you taking to ensure that the route will be popular enough to make it successful?
A: Patronage will be a major factor in determining whether a route will be successful and currently our economic consultants are carrying out work to model the likely patronage numbers. Any route which is not economically viable would be unlikely to go ahead. Stop locations need to be designed so as to maximise patronage but not significantly reduce journey time. The location of stops will be part of a consultation process to come.
Q: I am concerned that the tram won’t attract new businesses to locate along it.
A: The route mainly joins residential areas and potential park and ride sites with the city and local centres. It would therefore help to sustain the development vitality of the centre. In addition the route will help to sustain the viability of existing business and industry along its length. In Sheffield 80% of all new development is within 500m of a tram line.
Q: I am concerned about the effects of casual park and ride.
A: We consider this as part of design and we would monitor the situation once tram operations were under way. Should parking problems arise, residents’ parking schemes could be introduced.
A: Modern trams are very quiet as they are powered by electricity. They are quieter than buses and do not give off exhaust fumes. They are not, however, totally silent and will be fitted with a bell to warn of their approach, when required.
Q: How would the tram’s electrical supply be kept safe?
A: The Health and Safety Executive would require that the tram is a very safe system. The overhead wires would be 5.8 metres (19 feet) above the tracks and would not be a hazard to pedestrians or cyclists. The power is low voltage (750v) direct current which presents no hazard whatsoever for public health.
back to questions
Q: I am concerned that
Sheffield’s Supertram was initially unsuccessful and cost local taxpayers.
A: Line One of NET is a PFI project and as such all operating and patronage risk is taken by the Concessionaire and not the Councils. We would expect further lines to follow this model and shift the risk away from the Councils. The situation in Sheffield was different and the tram system did struggle initially, suffering from strong competition with buses. Nottingham City Transport is part of the Arrow consortium and will integrate trams with its bus routes rather than competing with the tram. This fits with our vision of integrated transport in Nottingham. Sheffield’s tram is now successful as are the systems in Manchester, Croydon and Birmingham.
Q: I am concerned that trees could be removed.
A: Unfortunately any scheme of this type will almost inevitably remove some trees. Before we are granted the powers to build any line a full environmental impact assessment must be carried out. We will minimise the impact on existing trees and other landscaping and where possible provide new or replacement planting and landscaping.
Q: I am concerned for retail areas during construction.
A: Great care will be taken to minimise the disturbance of construction work. We will enable the business community to continue working during the construction works and will maintain access into shops for loading and unloading.
Q: I am concerned that the tram system would increase the likelihood of flooding or subsidence following construction.
A: The engineering studies we are carrying out will address issues such as flooding potential or subsidence. We will need to establish engineering solutions to any problems we identify before a tram route could be built.
Q: I am concerned about access for emergency services.
A: Emergency services are always a priority and effective access for them would be maintained.
Q: I am concerned that overhead electrical cables will be unsightly.
A:Modern overhead cables are visually much less intrusive than previous designs. We would take time to minimise the visual intrusion by design and mitigation measures.
Q: I am concerned for the loss of open space.
A: In many places, the tram lines would not be intended to occupy all the open space. We will develop designs that maintain routes for pedestrians and retain play facilities as well as landscaping. We will seek to minimise any visual intrusion and noise. Any route proposal will be subject to a statutory environmental assessment.
Q: I am concerned that park and ride sites could be built on green belt land.
A: Careful consideration will be given to the location of park and ride facilities in accordance with the Government’s planning policy guidance, which permits such development on green belt if certain conditions are met.
Q: How important is public acceptability?
A: Public consultation is a cornerstone of the work to extend Nottingham’s tram network and we regard it as highly important in the process to create a better Nottingham for the future. Public support is very important not just for the tram’s future viability but also during the design and build phases.
We will be carrying out more public consultation on the selected routes before Christmas as part of our detailed consideration of the alignment options. Before permission is given for any route to be built a Public Inquiry is most likely to be held. Public acceptability will also be an important consideration when the Secretary of State makes a decision on whether any of the routes will be built.
