The first digger moved onto site - at the corner of The Forest near the junction of Gregory Boulevard and Noel Street South - on June 12th 2000, heralding the beginning of a huge engineering task the likes of which Nottingham had not seen since the building of the railways.

For over a year, the work involved diverting cables, pipes and wires away from the path of the tram throughout the on-street section. This saw the start of various temporary traffic arrangements and a communications effort to keep everyone informed about what was happening, where and how to avoid it, as well as what the eventual benefits would be.

Other work involved the demolition of the old railway viaduct alongside Middle Hill and creating a new one to be incorporated in an expanded Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, as well as building bridges and culverts to take the tramline across the River Leen north of the city.

In May 2001, work began to build the state-of-the-art tram depot on reclaimed former industrial land in Basford. That autumn, the first tracks began to be laid on Noel Street in Hyson Green and quickly became a familiar sight throughout the length of the route. In October 2001, major work to modify the train tracks north of Bulwell came to a head during a 12-day diversion of Robin Hood Line services, providing new rail, passing points and signals so that train service levels could be maintained and trains and trams could run alongside each other.

The first track work appeared in the city centre early in 2002 and by September, trams began arriving in Nottingham from Bombardier’s Derby production line. Poles and overhead wires began to go up a few months later and NET really began to look like a tramway.

Last minute touches took place during 2003. This involved extensive new paving, tram stops and furniture, the aesthetic elements of the Canal Street Bridge, Trent Street viaduct and Station Street terminus, completing the five Park and Ride sites, as well as signalling and signing the system.

Finally, on September 10th, the first tram in 67 years took to the streets of Nottingham. Tests followed, including running a virtual tram service.

This meant that NET Line One was approved to open for public service from March 9th following a visit by the Secretary of State for Transport Alistair Darling MP the day before, 16 years after the idea had first been mooted, and a new transport era in Nottingham was underway.

TIME LINE

1988 The idea of a tram system for Greater Nottingham is first mooted by Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham Development Enterprise and feasibility studies and public consultation is undertaken