WHERE TO TAKE PHASE III ?
Eastwood Town Council suggests an extension of Line One to their town, either via the A610 by-pass, or along the old road through the urban area, including Kimberley and Giltbrook. The Council claims intermediate retail parks at Ikea and Langley Mill can make developer contributions to capital cost. Local economic development is cited as one motive, and reduction of traffic congestion at the A610/M1 interchange and Nuthall Island, eliminating need for a flyover at the latter.
DEATH OF TRAM ENGINEER
It is with deep sadness we record the death in a car accident of a talented young rail/tram engineer, Stephen Parascandolo of Croydon. Steve set up the unofficial Croydon Tramlink website, and was dedicated to the promotion of tramlines in the UK. He visited the CW route three years ago, and attended the opening of Line One here in Nottingham, and its anniversaries also. Steve was only 26 years old, and the tram and rail industry has lost a great champion. We offer our deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
COUNTY COUNCIL VOTES FOR PHASE II
The County Council has voted 37 to 22 in favour of the Phase II tram extensions. The Evening Post says the tram extensions are “must-haves”, and that the abandonment of the network would be a terrible blow for Nottingham. Local funding, 25% of the total capital cost, is expected to come from the Workplace Parking Levy (WPL). This could be introduced at the earliest in 2009, and 80% of the 50,000 car spaces in the City are eligble, since the first 10 spaces at any city workplace are exempt. At the rate of £150 to £180 per space, the revenue raised could be £6m to £9m pa. The WPL is controversial, and the debate on it will now increase. Direct developer contributions to Phase II, e.g., Experian at NG2, are expected to be modest. The City Council is due to vote on Phase II on 05 March. For a news summary of the county vote, click here and to see the committee report click here
CITY COUNCIL VOTES FOR PHASE II
The City Council has voted overwhelmingly in favour of the Phase II tram extensions. For a news summary of the city vote, click here and to see the committee report click here
NET SUBMITS PHASE II APPLICATION TO DfT
NET has submitted its mammoth 3,000 page application to the Secretary of State for Transport for Phase II. The public are invited to send written comments to the Department for Transport over the next six weeks, until 07 June. The postal address is -
Department for Transport
TWA Orders Unit
Zone 9/09
Southside
105 Victoria Street
LONDON
SW1E 6DT
and the email address is -
transportandworksact@dft.gsi.gov.uk
The NET documents can be inspected at many public libraries, or on the NET website click here then go to TWAO Enquiry and Archive, NET Phase Two - Consultation.
PHASE II TRAM VIADUCT OVER RAIL STATION
NET reveals its plans to build a new viaduct over Nottingham Midland rail station for the joint section of the Phase II routes. Since the station is a Listed Building, Consent is required for alterations for the new concourse between the existing one and the future Queens Road tram stop. click here for more information.
DEADLINE FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS ON PHASE II
Today is the deadline. CW YES! has submitted its observations by Royal Mail and email, and wishes to attend the Public Inquiry on Phase II, likely to be held in November. CW YES! intends to present evidence in favour of an extra tram stop on CW at Silverdale. click here for more information.
The Department for Transport appears to be confused on numbering representations it has received. Many "objections" have really been sent by supporters!
NEW STADIUM FOR FOREST FC?
Nottingham Forest FC is considering a move from its city ground at Trent Bridge to a 50,000 seater super-stadium at Clifton Pastures. This would be part of a sports park with access from a widened A453, and a short extension of the CW tramline. click here for more information.
PUBLIC EXAMINATION OPENS ON PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AT CLIFTON PASTURES
An Examination in Public has begun on the first draft of the East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy at Leicester. Amongst many policies proposed is the controversial one to develop Clifton Pastures with a large new settlement, including at least 5,000 houses, shops, community facilities, a science park, and possible sports/leisure park. At the end of six weeks consideration, another public consultation exercise will be undertaken, of 2-3 months, and an Inspector will make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for the planning system. Without a doubt, if the development is approved, traffic on the CW tramline will be astronomical. However, NET traffic forecasting, carried out 5 years ago, takes no account of proposed developments which have no planning permission, and CW is certainly not dependent on this extra traffic.
NEW SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT
New Prime Minister Gordon Brown announces many cabinet changes. Amongst them are the appointment of Ruth Kelly as the new Secretary of State for Transport, moving from the Department for Communities and Local Government. Her place there is taken by Hazel Blears.
DATE SET FOR PUBLIC INQUIRY
The DfT has announced the date for the Public Inquiry on Phase II. It will start on Tuesday November 06 2007, and will continue for six weeks until Christmas, at the Britannia Hotel, St. James's Street. Robert Barker has been appointed as the Inspector. click here for more information. Statements of Case must be submitted before 20 August. A pre-Inquiry meeting, to sort out the agenda and sequence of evidence at the Inquiry, will also be held at the Britannia, on Thursday 06 September.
CITY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES WPL
The City Council reaffirms its intention to introduce the Workplace Parking Levy to pay for Phase II, and it will rise from £185 per car space in 2010 to £350 by 2014. 80% of local businesses will be exempt, by reason of having less than 10 car spaces. About 500 firms will be billed on all but the first 10 spaces. It is expected revenue will reach £12m pa by 2014, but many local businesses are opposed or sceptical. There will be a public consultation for 12 weeks, from mid July, finishing with a public examination in early October. Written responses are invited, with a deadline of 31 August. click here for more information.
PUBLIC INQUIRY PRE MEETING
The Public Inquiry pre-meeting was held yesterday in the Britannia Hotel, St. James's Street, where the Inquiry itself will be held one month hence. Over 1,000 representations, either support or objection, have been lodged about either proposed tram route, and up to 150 witnesses are due to give evidence. Witnesses must submit their Proof of Evidence by October 09.
WORKPLACE PARKING LEVY DEBATE
The public examination into the WPL starts today at the Britannia Hotel, St. James's Street, Nottingham, where the Public Inquiry for the Phase II tram extensions will also be held, starting one month hence.
PUBLIC INQUIRY EVIDENCE
CW YES! submitted its Statement of Case in August. A Summary Proof of Evidence, just under 1,500 words, was submitted yesterday. We ask that an extra tram stop be built for Silverdale, in the woodland NET intends to plant to the south of the housing estate. For information click here
PUBLIC INQUIRY PRE MEETING
The Public Inquiry pre-meeting was held yesterday in the Britannia Hotel, St. James's Street, where the Inquiry itself will be held one month hence. Over 1,000 representations, either support or objection, have been lodged about either proposed tram route, and up to 150 witnesses are due to give evidence. Witnesses must submit their Proof of Evidence by October 09.
WORKPLACE PARKING LEVY DEBATE
The public examination into the WPL starts today at the Britannia Hotel, St. James's Street, Nottingham, where the Public Inquiry for the Phase II tram extensions will also be held, starting one month hence.
PUBLIC INQUIRY EVIDENCE
CW YES! submitted its Statement of Case in August. A Summary Proof of Evidence, just under 1,500 words, was submitted yesterday. We ask that an extra tram stop be built for Silverdale, in the woodland NET intends to plant to the south of the housing estate. For information click here
PHASE II PUBLIC INQUIRY STARTS
The Public Inquiry on Phase II started yesterday. NET officers presented evidence. click here for more information.
CW YES! EVIDENCE PRESENTED
CW YES! Chair Geoffrey Bennett presented evidence (SUPP 69) in favour of the CW tram route, including asking for an extra tram stop at Silverdale, close to Fairham Brook. click here for more information.
WILFORD COMMUNITY GROUP GIVES EVIDENCE
Wilford Community Group members have given evidence at the Phase II Inquiry. Reservations have been expressed about car parking at the Wilford Moderns Rugby Club, and access to its playing fields next to the Trent. An annual bonfire night event is also critical, currently making use of the section of Main Road to be occupied by the CW tram and village tram stop.click here for more information.
WPL REPORT IS PUBLISHED
The Chairman's Report on the public examination into the Workplace Parking Levy has been published. It suggests congestion charging via a cordon around the Notingham city centre would be a better option than WPL.click here for more information.
CITY COUNCIL ENDORSES WPL
Yesterday the executive board of the city council agreed to implement the Workplace Parking Levy (WPL). However, the vehicle spaces of health, fire and police officers will not be subject to the tax.click here for more information.