BRINGING NOTTINGHAM TOGETHER
SPECIAL REVIEW IN ASSOCIATION WITH
REALISING A VISION AND CREATING NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE CITY am delighted to preface this special in Beeston and Chilwell. It serves two of the publication on the development of three biggest employers in Greater Nottingham INottingham Express Transit (NET) Phase – the University of Nottingham and Queen’s Two now that the two new lines to Chilwell Medical Centre – and places 20 of the 30 largest and Clifton are open and providing new employers within 800m of a tramstop. Our city is opportunities for tens of thousands of residents already one of the least car-dependent in the UK, and businesses in the Greater Nottingham area. but the new lines have the potential to take a Nottingham has received massive investment further three million journeys off the city’s roads, in its transport infrastructure in recent years reducing by one-third the growth of peak-time car as, in addition to the two new tramlines, journeys to and from all central locations by 2021. Nottingham Station, the ring road and the A453 Tram services could also be expanded to link road between Nottingham and the M1, create links to the HS2 project, freight airport have all been upgraded. This scale of works has interchanges and other settlements around the Councillor inevitably been challenging and it might have city. We are also watching the national tram-train Jane Urquhart been easier if the investment had been spread pilot in Sheffield with interest, as this could offer Portfolio Holder for over a number of years, however this wasn’t important new opportunities for extending NET. Planning and Housing, Nottingham City Council possible as Government funding for each scheme With customer satisfaction at 96% in the 2014 had to be spent or potentially lost. Passenger Focus survey, NET is perceived as A decision was therefore made to proceed with the most popular tram service in the UK, and a concentrated period of works, rather reliability and punctuality stand at an than a less intensive programme enviable 99%. It is also significant which may have caused lesser that our integrated system disruption, but over a much places an emphasis on park- longer period. and-ride, with feeder bus Our city is The Workplace links, the rail interchange already“ one of the least Parking Levy has been and multi-modal ticketing car-dependent in the UK,
an important tool in resulting in an estimated but the new lines have
the development of 30% of users directly the potential to help take Phase Two: acting as an “ transferring from their a further three million incentive for employers car or using the NET- journeys off the city’s to manage and potentially based park-and-ride on roads. reduce their employees’ car Line One. dependency. The WPL has With the opening of helped Nottingham City Council Phase Two we aren’t resting attract investment to improve the on our laurels however. Since Line city’s transport provision that it would One was first developed, the city has not, otherwise, have been able to attract. held the ambition of creating a network which For every pound raised we anticipate another could be further expanded like the Metrolink GBP3 (EUR4) of investment in the city and system in Manchester. So as part of the council’s GBP10 of economic benefit. support for the GBP150m (approx. EUR200m) The Centre for Economics and Business redevelopment of the Broadmarsh Shopping Research has also predicted the expanded Centre and regeneration of the area, we are network could generate long-term employment planning an additional tramstop on Middle Hill, growth of up to 8000 jobs and boost the local dedicated to the centre. economy by GBP300m (EUR405m) per year. Having been involved with the tramway, first It has already generated construction as a councillor in Bulwell when Line One was opportunities for local businesses, with over being planned and built and then later as the 1000 people employed and subcontracts with a Portfolio Holder, it’s been challenging at times, value of over GBP100m (EUR135m) having been but always rewarding to see the transformation let to companies with a base in the made to my city. NET’s success has been Greater Nottingham area. achieved through hard work and determination; It is providing access to about 1270 city yes, through political courage to stick to a clear workplaces, to which 55 000 employees vision, but also through the hard work and commute, and to a further 600 workplaces dedication of all of the teams involved.
Grateful thanks are due to Nottingham City Council, Tramlink Nottingham, Taylor Woodrow Alstom and Nottingham Trams for their time and generous assistance in the preparation of the text. Text and images: Neil Pulling, except where stated. Design: Debbie Nolan Production: Lanna Blyth Commercial: Geoff Butler/Alison Sinclair TAUT Editor: Simon Johnston Special publication, produced by Tramways & Urban Transit © 2015
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 3 FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS...
ore than a decade separated infrequently bridged River Trent. Despite car-free households at 44%.” This may the start of Nottingham highway improvements, maintaining indicate a preference for public transport, MExpress Transit operations smooth traffic movement is a challenge. impracticalities of car ownership or other in 2004 and the start of services across Nottingham’s rail services are mostly factors. A 2013 ONS report may have a dramatically expanded tramway. The concentrated at the main station, which is relevance: “Nottingham had the highest system that welcomed the public on on the southern edge of the city centre. percentage of workless households... with the morning of 25 August 2015 had not Nottingham has a nationally atypical 30.1%... up on the previous year.” The city resulted from incremental additions, but relationship with public transport. “Outside certainly doesn’t have the look or feel one that at 32km (20 miles) was overnight London, the average number of bus that these figures may suggest. A varied over twice as long as it had been just journeys per head was 51. In authorities setting, distinctive architecture, a large the day before. Similarly, the number of with highest bus use (Brighton and student population – and with retailing and tramstops had gone from 24 to 51. Nottingham), the average was over three entertainment still buoyant in the central Nottingham, in the English East Midlands, times this level,” say the England Annual core – Nottingham retains a lively flair. is one of many cities across the country Bus Statistics 2013-14. In December 2012, vying to promote the strengths of its local The Office of National Statistics (ONS) A NEW TRAMWAY economy. In a climate of national debate stated: “Outside London, Nottingham Essential features of the 2015 expansion around the devolution of powers from had one of the largest proportions of lay in the early plans for what was an centralised government, each city and region is seeking to bolster its prospects in terms of attracting investment, improving employment opportunities, providing better services and increasing its appeal to visitors. The city at the core of the urban spread had 305 700 residents at the 2011 census; a mid-2013 estimate of 310 800 is indicative of an increase across the area. Greater Nottingham’s main long- distance road links are the M1 motorway (London is 176km/110 miles to the south), with much east-west traffic channelled via the A52. Locally a focus of radial roads The first of the two universities to enjoy a tram service, Nottingham Trent’s main buildings are next to Line One. The line was the first in the UK to enjoy full level access. has a natural obstacle in the form of the
4 / NET Phase Two Special www.tautonline.com Old meets new: NET Alstom At either side of Moor Bridge, the Hucknall line’s Citadis 230 in Old Market single-track sections impose operating limits. Square on 17 June 2015.
A clear illustration of a railway inheritance, the Phoenix Park branch near Cinderhill stop.
The idea of a“ network came before
we even got the powers
to build Line One; it’s just that the first line was the “ most pragmatic approach to get things going.
CHRIS DEAS – PROJECT DIRECTOR, NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL The adjoining tram and heavy rail installations at Bulwell. entirely new 1435mm-gauge tramway. Nottingham City Council’s original NET reinvigorating the economy, Nottingham Nottingham’s original electric system Project Director, Pat Armstrong, identifies Development Enterprise (NDE). lasted from 1901 until 1936, with a 1988 as the point at which the prospective There was broad public and private trolleybus network begun in 1927 and system gained serious consideration. sector support at the time, although gone by 1966. Modern UK tramways may It was a time when industries that had ambition was tempered by realism not have proliferated in the French manner, underpinned the local economy for years when it came to how and when such a but re-adopting the mode was under close were shrinking or had gone completely; network might be delivered. Colleague and examination in several countries around mining and various forms of manufacturing successor to Pat Armstrong, Chris Deas the same time and there was support from were such cornerstones. Part of an urban (current Project Director at Nottingham the city’s German twin of Karlsruhe. regeneration strategy and a wish to bolster City Council) explains how the first Most British schemes were dropped, central Nottingham’s commercial future, phase – a single branching line extending but a few survived. Manchester’s street a network of six routes was felt to be north from the city centre – was a realistic connection of former heavy rail lines realistic. To realise the full benefits, these beginning: “The idea of a network came created the Metrolink format in 1992, would have to go beyond city boundaries. before we even got the powers to build with Sheffield’s low-floor Supertram Symbolic institutions like the Line One; the first line was just the most opening in 1994. Like the later Croydon Nottingham Forest football stadium and pragmatic approach to get things going.” (subsequently London) Tramlink and the Trent Bridge test cricket ground are The last UK tramway scheme requiring Birmingham – Wolverhampton Midland in West Bridgford, Rushcliffe Borough’s a Parliamentary Private Bill, royal assent Metro, each of the schemes was covered largest community; much of the urban for NET Line One came in July 1994. by an overarching transport body. spread in other directions was in county This gave powers to those promoting the The Passenger Transport Executives districts. Neighbouring authorities and scheme to build and operate the line. and London Regional Transport brought Nottinghamshire County Council were Pat Armstrong recalls: “The project powers to build and operate these thus relevant to the project, as was enjoyed belief and strong support from services. Nottingham had no such entity. a private sector body involved with board members, councillors and senior
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 5 personnel within NDE and the two councils. Close involvement of the private sector provided many benefits along the road to successful implementation.”
THE ORIGINAL PFI As promoters, in March 2000 Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council awarded a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) concession contract to last 31.5 years to Arrow Light Rail Ltd. The consortium consisted of financiers, Adtranz (soon taken over by Bombardier) North of the city’s station, a ‘refreshed’ which supplied 15 Incentro trams, Incentro 204 with Loxley House constructors Tarmac (later Carillion), (Nottingham City Council’s administrative home since 2010) in the background. French transport specialists Transdev and the council-owned bus operator Nottingham City Transport (NCT). As A climb to the High School stop Nottingham Tram Consortium, Transdev is followed a long descent by way of and NCT became the system’s operators. Nottingham Trent University’s main site For Line One – not a term used to and the Royal Centre; these stops serve represent the service to the public – the many entertainment and retail outlets implementation was assisted by most of that extend to the city’s traditional focal the route being a redeployment of existing point. Redeveloped over the years, Old railway alignments. Construction for the Market Square is dominated by the domed GBP200m (EUR275m at 2004 prices) Council House. Like many central streets, project began in summer 2000. it has restricted vehicle access. Of the 14.4km (nine miles) opened on Buses use stops on the other side of 9 March 2004, only around 4km (2.5 miles) Beastmarket Hill, the road taken by trams were not on active or former railway across the square. Another climb leads to rights of way. Much of the initial line’s the Lace Market, a very old manufacturing length was accounted for by double and area now reinvigorated with housing and single ballasted track south from Hucknall. business conversions. As the tracks head The trams use dedicated track immediately south, descent is arrested upon leaving west of the Nottingham – Mansfield Middle Hill onto a viaduct that replaced ‘Robin Hood Line’, a 1993 reintroduction Pat Armstrong, original Project Director the Great Central Railway installation for Nottingham City Council, on the to the passenger railway network. QMC Bridge in June 2015. S. Johnston and currently spanning largely unused ground. Just to the west is the Broadmarsh ALONG LINE ONE shopping centre (owned by retail The northern section of the initial line The combined northern tramway conglomerate intu and its predecessor has seen much residential expansion since arms join street level with a ramp near since late 2011), subject to a rebuilding the two passenger rail formats were Wilkinson Street. Another redeveloped plan that includes a planned new tramstop. introduced. Hucknall, in Ashfield District, industrial area, this incorporates the Line One ended at the elevated Station has a population of around 30 000, with depot and control centre. At a point Street terminus which partly re-used the newer housing prominent around the where terraced housing gives way to later original viaduct. The span taking the Great combined heavy rail and tram station. suburban development, the park-and-ride Central over Nottingham Midland station It has a park-and-ride site, as does Moor site and stop are well-sited for access for (now just Nottingham) was removed Bridge, two stops south. A town within the western ring road. in the early 1980s. Access between the city boundary, Bulwell also has a joint Entering an undulating section into NET and the main line station was by a tram and railway station. Nottingham, central Nottingham, the tracks diverge walkway crossing Station Street. About six Hucknall and Bulwell remain the only east of Wilkinson Street. City-bound trams years after NET opened, Loxley House, three such NET interchanges. follow Radford Road; those heading north which is next to Station Street terminus Just south of the Highbury Vale stop using narrow residential roads, mainly Noel and formerly the home of financial on the Hucknall line is the junction Street. The southern junction of the track services firm Capital One, became the for the approximately 1km (0.6-mile) separation is near the Forest Recreation headquarters of Nottingham City Council. Phoenix Park branch which has separate Ground, a varied 80 acres (32ha.) that is A product of its time, from the outset Highbury Vale platforms. The Phoenix part of Nottingham‘s identity. The annual NET was compliant with Disability Park NET terminus and park-and-ride Goose Fair site (one of the Europe’s largest Discrimination legislation. There is good site took its name from the redeveloped funfairs, dating back over 700 years), it was access to platforms and onto trams which Babbington-Cinderhill colliery site, closed the original home of and gave the name to have places for wheelchairs, walking in 1986. Mainly single-track, NET used Nottingham Forest. A proportionally small frames or child buggies. NET’s relative the mine‘s abandoned railway connection. part of the park’s western end became a modernity also meant that CCTV was part The Highbury Vale configuration makes park-and-ride site with just under 1000 of the original installation; this covers fixed David Lane, one stop south, the practical spaces. This opens directly onto The installations like park-and-ride sites and interchange between Hucknall and Forest stop where an extra platform face platforms, with trams having interior as Phoenix Park services. is available for special services or stabling. well as front and rear-facing cameras.
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www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 7 THE CASE FOR EXPANSION
Middle Hill, site of a proposed tramstop to serve an expanded Broadmarsh shopping centre.
ottingham City Council All equipped with significant security was evidently satisfied with measures, the seven NET-based sites – with Nthe outcomes of Line One, over 5000 spaces available from September identifying ten million annual passenger 2015 – are free to tramway users. journeys and taking three million car journeys from its roads, also citing a 94% FUNDING AND STRUCTURE customer satisfaction rate and continuing Approval was received to pursue a business support. The 2004-05 NET Transport and Works Act Order around Annual Report stated: ‘Building on the the same time as Line One opened. success of Line One, NET Phase Two is Programme entry came in 2006, leading to fundamental to the transport strategy for submission of the application in 2007 and the Greater Nottingham conurbation.’ a public inquiry later that year. Conditional Chris Deas explains how the momentum approval came in 2009, which allowed the continued: “As soon as we let the contract council to go to tender during 2011. Of the for Line One in 2000, we dusted off GBP570m (approx. EUR780m) Phase Two the work we’d done before and started project cost, central government funding modernising that thinking. In 2001-02, has contributed around 65%, the remainder a year or so into the build and quite a primarily coming from Nottingham under painful period because we were digging up the Workplace Parking Levy (WPL). Not If you set out the streets, we were in consultations on specific to the tram project, Nottingham’s “a vision for a city, where it would go next to validate that levy is a rare mechanism in the context of and are bold and radical original work. We ended up in Spring 2002 British public transport. in what you want to do, deciding on two corridors we wanted to Using powers under the Transport Act I think the public “ follow, Chilwell (via Beeston) and Clifton.” 2000, the WPL is a licensing system for appreciate that as they The expansion would put around 30% businesses within the Nottingham City want to see ambition. of Greater Nottingham’s population and Council administrative boundary that 20 of the city’s 30 largest employers within provide 11 or more parking spaces. COUNCILLOR NICK McDONALD – 800m of a tramstop. The charge for 2014-15 was GBP362 per PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR JOBS, GROWTH AND TRANSPORT, Nottingham’s belief in park-and-ride space (rising to GBP375 for the period 1 NOTTINGHAM CITY facilities also found new expression in April 2015 to 31 March 2016). Councillor COUNCIL Phase Two. Chris Deas: “If I was going to Nick McDonald, City Council Portfolio pick one thing that has led Nottingham’s Holder for Jobs, Growth and Transport, development that’s different to elsewhere, indicates the complex views on the levy: our opposition in both of those elections it’s been the willingness to attract people “What’s interesting is that the Chamber of have said they will get rid of the WPL. out of their cars. Park-and-ride was always Commerce, for example, have been very The public have voted us back by a landslide something that we focused on, and we vocal in saying that it’s a bad idea, each time. If you set out a vision for a city, were one of the first cities to use it for whereas individual business leaders have a and are bold and radical in what you want bus-based park-and-ride. Now 35% of different perspective as they want to be part to do, I think the public appreciate that as people who use the tram have either of a city that’s on the move. We genuinely they want to see ambition.” left their car at home or use the haven’t seen examples of businesses Former transport portfolio holder park-and-ride sites. That was part of moving out of the city because of it. Councillor Jane Urquhart identifies the logic as to the routes to Clifton or “We’ve been back to the electorate twice how the political context had changed Chilwell – it was based on destinations as on the basis that parking levies are part of elsewhere: “The County was joint well as relief for the road network.” our agenda for funding infrastructure, and promoter of Phase Two until a change
8 / NET Phase Two Special www.tautonline.com Heavy demand at Old Market Square during the daytime proved the success of Line One. in [Nottinghamshire’s] administration City Council could proceed as sole local issues also had to be addressed as in 2009, but daily management has been promoter, already having defined powers the UK’s Comprehensive Spending Review through the NET project team at the City to work outside its administrative area in 2010 occurred during procurement for Council since 1998. This was a similar through the 2009 NET Order. Phase Two. “Competitive tension between arrangement as for Line One, with many “The County has been politically bidders enabled the reduced funding from of the experienced staff still involved, supportive of NET Phase Two since national government to be absorbed so the changed arrangements when the another administration change in 2013, without a reduction in scope. The County withdrew had relatively little and both authorities have been keen to international financialsituation , particularly impact on a day-to-day basis. Phase Two’s support businesses affected by works in the Euro crisis, was challenging, but we presence beyond city boundaries was not Beeston and Chilwell, jointly funding a had a strong project which was still able to imperilled by the changes. Nottingham financial assistance scheme." Some less attract investment.”
Nottingham Station stop on the Karlsruhe Friendship Bridge marks the link between the existing Line One and the new routes to Clifton and Chilwell.
Clifton South: The implementation of Phase Two saw the total number of park-and-ride spaces on the system rise to 5000.
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 9 THE CONSORTIUM TRANSITION Although with many years left to run, division of tasks: “Taylor Woodrow Tramlink members Meridiam and the original contract with concessionaire were responsible for the civil engineering InfraVia are long-term equity investment Arrow Light Rail Ltd was specifically for and the major structures, with Alstom specialists. The members who became NET Line One. To ensure that implementing responsible for everything else: the track, operators as the joint entity Nottingham Phase Two led to a unified network, electrification, vehicles, systems, signalling Trams are, by share, Keolis (80%), the contract was bought out and a new and communications – with a couple of and Wellglade (20%). With a majority tendering process began in September shareholding by French state railway body 2009 to select a concessionaire for the SNCF, Keolis has other UK rail interests new project and subsequent operation in Govia, First TransPennine Express of the full system under an approximate With many and London’s Docklands Light Railway. 22-year contract. years“ left to run, the Wellglade Group is the parent organisation Arrow participated, but the Tramlink original contract with of Trent Barton, a leading bus company Nottingham consortium was named as Arrow Light Rail was for with services mostly concentrated between preferred bidder in March 2011, with Line One. To ensure that Nottingham, Derby and Mansfield. responsibilities being transferred in Phase Two led to a unified On the potential issues of a bus
December. The new agreement included network, the contract operator having a stake in the consortium, a different standing for the incoming was bought out “ Phil Hewitt says: “Trent Barton is a concession, obviating a requirement to and a new tendering commercial business, and a very good one. re-contract for future expansion. Tramlink process began. They may have a parent company that is Nottingham’s Executive Chairman Phil also one of our shareholders, but they are Hewitt explains: “We look forward to still an independent business expected to working with the City Council, at least to drive their revenues. the point of procurement, thereafter we small provisos. There are two mechanical “I have no problem in working with have to see what’s actually being procured and electrical [M&E] systems in Taylor an organisation that is making proper and how contracts work at that stage.” Woodrow’s scope, CCTV cameras and commercial decisions, because that should Two consortium members, collectively ticket vending machines, the rest of the ultimately result in a network that reflects known as Taylor Woodrow Alstom M&E systems are in Alstom’s scope.” demand. Within that we look to place (TWA), became the builders of NET’s Subcontracting placed ticket machines our own unique selling points and we can second phase. Alstom Customer with INIT and the CCTV system with the pretty much guarantee our run times in a Director Susan Evans explains the Inside Out Group. way the bus companies can’t.”
10 / NET Phase Two Special www.tautonline.com THE TRAMLINK NOTTINGHAM STORY Roger Harrison, t was clear from the outset that the Phase established close links with Nottingham City Two project would be a PFI scheme. I was Council’s Employer Hub and further education former Chairman Iworking for Keolis as a Project Director colleges as this was one of the first times in when Brian King (Chairman of Wellglade the UK that tender evaluation criteria included of Tramlink Group – owner of Trent Barton) contacted me marks for proposals on local purchasing and Nottingham to discuss bidding together for the upcoming employment and apprenticeship creation. tender. The two companies had worked We also proposed a transition to off-tram and now special together on the pre-qualification tender for Line ticketing to support the Council’s introduction One and we agreed to co-operate with a view to of smartcard technology, supporting ease of use advisor to the forming a consortium for Phase Two. and transport integration. NET later became the consortium, It was agreed that I would lead the fledgling first UK network to have conductors replaced by consortium, making use of the ‘operator-led ticketing machines and validators. The technology explains the concept’ and taking operability and maintainability proposed included fast ITSO-compliant 0.5-second background to into account when designing and building Phase maximum transaction speeds – a speed achieved Two. This would become a key selling point. with the existing Trent Barton Mango card the winning bid. Knowing that systems integration, project in the East Midlands and Oyster in London – management and satisfying local sustainability representing a step-change from the seven-second requirements would be key to a successful transaction time of conductor-operated mobile bid, the first step was to search for a validators. Fare evasion reduced from nearly systems integrator. There was limited choice. 10% to less than 5% and the price of the tender As Bombardier had decided to remain with the reduced by around GBP40m (EUR55m). existing Arrow consortium, Alstom agreed to At this time, the bid team not only had join the emerging Tramlink. to convince its shareholders of its chances We then sought a construction partner who in winning the tender, but also that the UK would also be prepared to invest in the equity. Government would not change its mind on the We found Vinci, who joined as both investor project following a General Election in 2010. The (Vinci Investments) and construction contractor global financial crisis also increased the difficulty via its UK arm Vinci Construction (using the of raising loans from the lending banks. The acquired Taylor Woodrow name). Both were shareholders agreed to invest around GBP95m welcome partners with a significant UK presence (EUR130m) and the size of the core shareholder and international tram system expertise. Local balance sheets and international buying power sustainability targets were proposed (and later convinced five major lenders to support the achieved and exceeded) with over GBP125m bid with GBP323m (EUR440m) in senior debt purchased from the local economy and training finance. Initial international lenders included the and apprenticeship targets fulfilled. European Investment Bank (EIB), Crédit Agricole The company became Tramlink Nottingham (France), RBS (Great Britain), BBVA (Spain) and Ltd (TNL) and adopted a similar structure the Bank of Tokyo and Mitsubishi (Japan). as Arrow had for Line One, except that its Tramlink met the tender’s price target and operating and maintenance subcontractor TNL was selected as Preferred Bidder on became a Limited Company – Nottingham Trams 28 March 2011. Ltd. The construction subcontractor became an The keys to our success were a strong focus unincorporated joint venture between Taylor on the sustainability agenda in terms of local Woodrow (50%) and Alstom (50%), with Alstom employment and purchasing, the unity and also taking on rolling stock maintenance (both of shared vision of the consortium, our detailed the Bombardier trams and the incoming Citadis construction and deployment programme and vehicles) via a subcontract to Nottingham Trams. important details such as our proposals to The consortium invited financial investors improve the look and feel of the existing system. to maintain a 50/50 balance between the four Also significant was our strong belief in a base industrial shareholders (12.5% each) and financial service of eight trams per hour, per direction – shareholders – Meridiam (30%) and OFI providing a more robust, more attractive service. Infravia (20%) joined and I continued as The contract was signed at 15.36 on The keys to Chairman, also leading the O&M tender. 15 December 2011. At that precise moment, our“ success included It was important at this stage to two TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection a strong focus on local ensure that the tender evaluation was of Employment) Regulations 2006 transfers took sustainability, the unity based on mainly objective criteria, to place: all Line One operational, infrastructure
of the consortium, our help convince the shareholder boards maintenance and administrative employees
detailed construction that Tramlink had a reasonable chance moved from Arrow to Nottingham Trams, and programme and proposals “ of winning. Vinci offered detailed Bombardier’s rolling stock maintenance staff to to improve the look construction input – such as options for a new company owned by Alstom. The whole and feel of the existing the station bridge – and Alstom proposed mobilisation went extremely smoothly and system. innovation in tracklaying; the TWA joint I am proud to say the general public were venture also gave a highly-detailed construction unaware of any change. Performance continued programme. At the same time, the consortium in excess of 99%.
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 11 IMPLEMENTING PHASE TWO he public witnessed distinct introduction of the internationally-proven The other main customer-facing changes in NET operations Citadis low-floor tram. Although much was change concerned ticketing and revenue Twell ahead of the new lines’ done to give parity between the two types control. Under Tramlink Nottingham completion. The necessary fleet in NET’s fleet, the striking styling and administration, NET moved away from enlargement could not be based on the no small amount of publicity meant that a system similar to those remaining on discontinued Incentro, and with Alstom’s passengers would be well aware of the Blackpool, Sheffield and Midland Metro presence in the consortium came the UK new equipment. systems, that of buying tickets from an
Incentro refurbishment has given continuity with the newer fleet of Alstom trams. The new Basford substation was amongst the Phase Two works carried out on the initial system to help cater for the enhanced service.
Modern and stylish TVMs have appeared across the network, offering greater flexibility for passenger payment. onboard conductor. From May 2014, NET We introduced Another was added at Wilkinson
required passengers to have a valid ticket “off-tram ticketing in a Street, part of a substantial upgrading or pass before boarding. With vending soft way so that people and expansion of the depot which would machines and other means of getting had the choice in the “ be handling well over twice the number tickets/passes, plus smartcard validators early days to buy from of trams. installed at all stops, a transitional phase conductors for a while. The entire control system is now a helped bed-in the new arrangements. state-of-the-art fibre optic link running the Nottingham Trams General Manager PAUL ROBINSON – full length of all lines. Paul Robinson: “That Paul Robinson explains the combination of GENERAL MANAGER, umbilical cord has all the normal tramway NOTTINGHAM TRAMS practicalities and the crucial need to foster systems such as SCADA and TETRA, the good customer relations during such a PA, CCTV etc – and everything hangs off it. changeover: “We introduced it in a soft It gives ultimate flexibility, so wherever way so people had the choice in the early to deliver the bigger NET operation you are you can do whatever you want days to buy from conductors for a while. and to improve the service. A growing with access to the fibre optic umbilical.” Every stop had an ambassador, some larger problem in the original infrastructure, The redesign and upgrading of the control stops had two or three. We persuaded the noisy Noel Street installation in system was completed in July 2015. passengers to use the machines, helped if Hyson Green was replaced. Line One’s needed, and also employed a ‘Buy Before Automatic Vehicle Location System was CHALLENGES… AND SOLUTIONS You Board’ communications campaign. upgraded to give consistency with the Construction began in early 2012. Broadly We were very careful not to penalise forthcoming extensions. With impending there were eight sections on the Clifton people in the early days – we gave the higher frequencies, new substations were line and 16 on the longer and more road- opportunity of a relief period before we required at Basford and Middle Hill. based Chilwell line and at the peak there implemented a penalty fare.” Revenue protection on the system An Alstom Appitrack machine in use at includes inspection teams, GBP50 (EUR70) Queen’s Walk on the future Clifton line in 2013. penalty fare notices and using prosecution powers as appropriate. The changes encapsulated by NET’s ‘Buy Before You Board’ slogan has particular resonance for Tramlink Nottingham’s Phil Hewitt: “The thing I’m most proud of is off-tram ticketing – that had the full potential to really trip us up. Ticketing schemes in the UK don’t have a good track record and we were very concerned that we would see erosion of passenger and revenue numbers. The system worked from day one, it works reliably and we saw growth from the moment the conductors came off. It showed that the system was actually more attractive overall in the terms of the ease to buy tickets.” There were other key changes – many not obvious to the customer – needed
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 13 August 2013 near the future junction The Nottingham Station of the Chilwell and Clifton lines. ramp in March 2014.
were approximately 40 separate worksites. a lot of investigation work and planning first UK application on NET’s new lines. Multiple locations added to project with the Highways Authority. Yet it still Susan Evans points out that efficiency management complexity, but by reducing took us a lot longer than expected. comes with longer runs, this as a minimum the scale of individual sites it became I’m convinced that although it was being 100m sections. A record 220m laid easier to maintain traffic flows as work particularly painful for the residents, had in one day came in July 2013: “We were progressed. Demolition of properties and we had a traffic management system that using Appitrack in some areas and gangs other structures, mostly on the Chilwell continually had to be tweaked so we in others. But when our manual track line, was required to install the track. could move from one side of the road gangs got up to speed they were pretty Reconfiguration of many roads and changes to the other, moving a cable and then much as fast as Appitrack, so cost savings in traffic arrangements were also needed. back again, the impact on the business in Nottingham were nominal. What it Phil Hewitt takes up the story: “The community would’ve been far worse.” has given us is the ability to do more streets are full of obstructions and we did Alstom’s part-automated Appitrack in parallel, which is a bonus because, end up closing the road in parts following tracklaying system was deployed in its in terms of traffic management it gave
Impressive new infrastructure spreads across the two new routes: The Chilwell line was threaded through the established Queen’s Medical Centre site. Had we had a “traffic management system that continually
moved from one side of
the road to the other, the impact on the business “ community would have been far worse.
PHIL HEWITT – EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, TRAMLINK NOTTINGHAM THE ADDED VALUE OF DYNAMIC MODELLING Unlike heavy rail systems, light rail operations are influenced by a wide range of external factors that mean theoretical running times can rarely be met exactly; not only high variations in stop times and travelling speeds during the day, but also obstructions from other road users that can impact travel characteristics. Powerful modelling tools give new opportunities to optimise projects and current operations. Statistical simulations give reasonable theoretical Opening day: Citadis 221 southbound results to test the robustness of an on Chilwell Road, Beeston, heading for Toton Lane park-and-ride. Mike Haddon operation, yet more effective dynamic simulations now allow us to reproduce a real-life operation very realistically. additional flexibility in different parts of A ‘BIG BANG’ OPENING A combination of software tools the city.” Newsworthy on a national level The eventual overrun of around eight complement each other. For example, a for their scale, Phase Two’s three biggest months was twice that which had micro simulation of a road crossing can new bridges were moved into position occurred for the technically much simpler give results to implement in a dynamic during 2013. Trackwork on both lines was Line One project. simulation only based upon light rail – completed in December 2014. Neither duration might seem like much this allows the creation of more efficient Not rare for the industry – but an if set against the decades-long lifespan models in much shorter timeframes. obvious magnet for mainstream media and benefits of a light rail network, yet A dynamic model also includes attention – Phase Two had a delayed the immediate discontent had to be parameters based on the variability opening. Reported loss of trade at carefully managed. The delay was largely of real life: dwell times, driver businesses affected by worksites and ascribed to encountering unexpected behaviour, the bunching effect and complaints over noise and traffic disruption sub-surface conditions, notably with much more. Vehicle dynamics (single accompanied Phase Two’s installation. utilities. Civil engineering publications or mixed fleets) or scenarios related Such matters gained weight as the identified the NET delays as the main to operational routines and their expected late-2014 target opening came reason for significant losses by Vinci’s capacity can be studied in detail. and went, with some works palpably UK construction business for the first Timetable concepts can be easily compared, the effects of operational incomplete. Client and concession half of 2014. parameters evaluated, the effectiveness holder were aware from the beginning After initial night testing of trams that of acceleration measures estimated that the original approximate three-year extended across the whole system by or disruption management strategies completion was challenging. Equally they April 2015, daylight running along the adjusted. From an entire network to had seen little to gain from setting a safely Clifton and Chilwell lines with a build up a single section or a new stop, each over-inflated target. to service speeds began in May. component can be analysed. Councillor McDonald explains: “These Another high-profile advance came For NET Lines Two and Three, TTK are complex projects, and there are so on Monday 27 July when services was responsible for all operational many variables. I know there’s been a transferred from Station Street to the new aspects, including expertise in the areas delay in delivering Phase Two, and this is Nottingham Station a little further across of depot, trackform and rolling stock. disappointing, but, possibly, understandable. the new Karlsruhe Friendship Bridge. For example, all vehicle movements I think that one of the major things that’s By the week’s end a ‘shadow service’ from the depot entries to the exits pushed this project back months is the began, with trams operating to timetable were modelled: sanding, washing, nightmare in terms of the utility diversions end-to-end. Passengers were however stabling and light and heavy maintenance. on Beeston High Road. Could we have only carried north of the station, a This modelling allowed optimised predicted that better? I don’t know.” message reinforced by ‘Nottingham infrastructure choices to guarantee Phil Hewitt agrees: “How do you Station’ boards in cab windows. travel times and, more usefully, most of deal with building a significant piece of The start of full public services came the operational results have been used transport infrastructure in the middle suddenly, announced just the day before. to feed the tender documents. of the densely-populated, heavily-used Shortly after 06.00 on Tuesday 26 August, Pierre-Alain Boeswillwald urban environment that’s been there for the first services left Clifton South and hundreds of years? It’s absolutely chock Toton Lane. Promoting interest and to full of underground utilities. Irrespective of encourage sampling of the new network, the argument that the utilities companies no longer just a line, NET offered a should know what’s there, even if they seven-day unlimited travel ticket at Pierre-Alain [email protected] did it’s still a massive challenge to move GBP10 (EUR13.70) for adults and GBP5 www.ttk.de everything in a very short timeframe.” (EUR6.85) for children.
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 15 Originally constructed in 1870, the Wilford Toll Bridge now carries FROM CLIFTON NET over the River Trent. The statue commemorates a scion of INTO THE CITY the Clifton family. ne of several British places WELCOMING THE TRAMWAY called Clifton, the former village NET’s 7.6km (4.7-mile) Clifton line – Oin the south-west of Nottingham 63% of which is segregated from other is detached from the main urban spread. vehicles – has 12 stops. Just outside the It is the most populous part of the City City Council boundary, Clifton South tram Council area south of the River Trent. terminus and park-and-ride is about 8km Modern Clifton (population 22 407 – 2011 (five miles) from junction 24 of the M1 census) is mainly contained by the A453 motorway; it is therefore positioned for road and the long arc of Farnborough Road. clear access from the A453 link road that A settlement of some antiquity, much of saw a GBP150m (approx. EUR206m) dual- today’s Clifton emerged from a decision carriageway upgrade completed in June after World War Two to develop the 2015. Currently open space, the proposed area in response to Nottingham’s housing but strongly-contested Fairham Pastures shortage. The outcome was amongst the housing development supported by biggest housing estates in Europe. Rushcliffe Borough would add up to 3000 Clifton’s satellite nature is reinforced new homes just beyond Clifton South. by not only being south of the Trent, From the terminus, trams take a substantial enough to have limited the prominent street course through the number of bridges, but also by the barrier- centre of Clifton, following the main like embankment of Clifton Boulevard thoroughfares of Farnborough Road and that is part of Nottingham’s ring road. Southchurch Drive. The main shopping Nottingham Trent University has a large campus between the A453 and the Trent, Bridge widening work in but Clifton is more a place of residence progress in August 2013. than being possessed of a diverse local economy. As such, by necessity there are many daily movements in and out of the area that makes a regular, high-capacity public transport link crucial to its future growth. Like much of Nottingham, Clifton has enjoyed a comparatively good bus service, but worsening traffic conditions make for ever-growing journey times.
Beyond the tram is the gap created by demolition to provide access to Clifton’s streets. Clifton-bound Citadis 217 climbs towards Clifton from the Fairham Brook bridge.
Noise restricting fencing and pedestrian/cycle path on the Clifton line. concentration is around Clifton Centre, construction in September 2013. The line crossings, although for tramway use it with neighbourhood shops close to the then curves north to a previously existing required drastic modification. Next to other stops. Briefly rejoining Farnborough portal through the Clifton Boulevard at-grade, ungated crossings, Ruddington Road near a secondary school, the tramway embankment. This is where the tramway Lane and Wilford Lane stops provide easy leaves the built-up area and its roads about joins the alignment of the former Great passenger access to the platforms. With 2.8km (1.75 miles) from Clifton South. Central main line, closed in 1969. About houses lining much of this section, heavy- The space needed for this access was 2.5km (1.6 miles) of the Clifton line lies duty fences are installed as noise barriers created by demolishing a pair of houses. on or immediately next to the old railway, where needed. At Wilford Lane a south- Ballasted track descends through a straight course towards the Trent. facing stub siding has been installed within landscaped areas to cross Fairham Brook, The railway’s ‘London Extension’ was a compound for operational uses. Nearby the site of a partial collapse during bridge noted for engineering that avoided level the tramway diverges slightly from Great
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 17 Coronation Avenue in Wilford, with rebuilt flood protection Central alignment, with the re-profiled measures to the right. embankment remaining just to the west. The eastern side is more open, the location of large schools and playing fields. At a breach in the embankment that once led to a railway bridge over the Trent, demolished in the mid-1980s, the tramway turns west to skirt housing on Coronation Avenue. Here the project included revised flood protection measures. Again heading north by the island platform at Wilford Village, the tramway rises to Wilford Toll Bridge, first opened in 1870. No longer levying tolls and closed to traffic since 1974, the bridge was radically rebuilt for Phase Two. Rounded brick portals bearing the Clifton family motto Part of the NET project, decorative carvings of ‘Tenez le Droit’ (Guard the Right) and the recovered timber feature along Queen’s Walk. toll house on the city side were retained. The replacement bridge deck is over double the width of the previous span, allowing for the double tracks with a wide cycle/pedestrian path on the upstream side.
ON THROUGH THE MEADOWS North of the Trent, the tracks occupy the centre of Queen’s Walk for about 800m, giving a long view through the tree-lined avenue towards St Mary’s Church in the Lace Market, a noted Nottingham landmark. Although crossed by roads, this section is tram-only with parallel cycle and footpaths, a marked feature of the Clifton line. Queen’s Walk forms part of The Meadows, largely rebuilt during the 1970s poles’ which use lime tree wood displaced tramstop sited on the bridge has three following demolition of houses and the by the line’s installation. Although there access points; this installation was integral former Great Central infrastructure, once was some opposition to the new route, to the GBP150m (EUR206m) Network a dominant feature of the district. a dispassionate observer might view Rail station upgrade, also partially funded One of Nottingham’s poorer inner Queen’s Walk as the system’s single most by the Workplace Parking Levy. areas, The Meadows has been subject to attractive part and a visual asset of the city. With Station Street decommissioned, many restorative measures. In 2012 it The Clifton and Chilwell lines meet at a footbridge at the north of the new was described by the Nottingham South a junction immediately north of Queen‘s stop joins the station’s pedestrian bridge, constituency MP (and Shadow Secretary Walk on Meadows Way, sharing road this leading to the main line platforms. of State for Transport since May 2015) space for 500m until near the tram-only On the south side, there is access to the Lilian Greenwood as “one of the most ramp leading to the deck of the 104m-long, now-enclosed porte-cochère that forms the deprived communities in the country.” 14.5m-wide Karlsruhe Friendship Bridge station’s main entrance, which also has bus On the section which includes two which spans the railway directly over the stops immediately outside. Another tram tramstops are several decorative ‘story station. Entitled Nottingham Station, the platform exit leads into a new car park.
DB Schenker 60001 pauses at Nottingham Station as a Wilford Village stop, just south of the Trent on the Clifton line. Citadis nears the tramstop.
18 / NET Phase Two Special www.tautonline.com CHILWELL, BEESTON, NTU UNIVERSITY AND THE QMC ow on the NET map, Toton in of established housing in Chilwell, the FROM BEESTON TO QMC Broxtowe Borough is not a big track has its own right-of-way with four Beeston is in Broxtowe Borough and has Nplace (population around 7500), stops at road intersections between its own strong identity and retains a distinct but it is well-known to the railway industry Inham Road and Cator Lane, 2.2km town centre. Although far from universal, and enthusiasts. On a north-south freight (1.4 miles) from Toton Lane. Full sharing opposition to Phase Two was strongly line about halfway between Nottingham of road space begins at Beeston High articulated here. Beeston has a railway and Derby, it is the site of the UK’s biggest Road near the stop directly outside one station, although this is appreciably south diesel locomotive depot. Of course, of the Central College Nottingham sites. of the town centre, and while there are Toton will become much better known This institution was formed from mergers frequent trains to Nottingham, which take and more frequently visited if the HS2 with other sites near the tramway in as little as six minutes, that service does not project is realised, for Toton Sidings is November 2012, an identity transition provide for the employment concentrations the leading bet for the location of the then promoted by an advertising campaign between the two communities. Here, as high-speed line’s East Midlands station. on NET tram 210. elsewhere, NET has joined a competing NET’s Chilwell line is 9.8km (6.1 miles) concentration of bus routes. long, with 59% in segregated space. There Beeston Centre is the name of the joint are 15 stops, serving a more mixed tram/bus interchange which is a short walk area than the Clifton line due to passing from the main shopping street. The two several locations with a high employment island platforms are widely spaced, concentration. Toton Lane terminus is separated by roadway with restricted just off the A52 and a short distance from access. Trams use the platform faces junction 25 of the M1; the park-and-ride nearest the pavements, with the inner sides site with 1300 spaces is the network’s indented to create separate bus spaces. biggest, and is well-located to attract road There was a reported 21.6% footfall users unwilling to face the uncertainty increase in Beeston town centre little more of road conditions towards Nottingham. than a week after the Chilwell line opened. It can also obviate the hunt for, and the Towards Nottingham, NET uses expense of, a city parking space. two former cul-de-sacs, Lower Road In the longer term, the HS2 project and Fletcher Road, where demolition represents another valuable potential created a through-route for trams. Used role of the Chilwell line, for the present elsewhere on the network, cutting back terminus is less than a kilometre from the of pavements has created inset parking proposed station. spaces; signed prohibitions are overseen East from Toton Lane are farmed by cameras, and fines are levied for those fields beyond the landscaped track, soon in breach of the regulations designed to followed by the substation, crossing and Central College’s Beeston site enjoys prevent these newly-connected roads direct access to NET. stop at Inham Lane. Serving a broad band becoming a traffic ‘rat run.’
A week before opening, Citadis 217 leaves Toton Lane running a ‘shadow service’ into Nottingham. Beyond Citadis 225 is Cator Lane substation and a stub of a shared access road to allotments. The tracks emerge east of Lower Road onto a busy road intersection, the point where the A6005 changes identity from Queen’s Road East to the grander University Boulevard. The latter provides the name of the nearby tramstop. With housing having given way to greener surroundings, trams first border Highfields Park before briefly leaving reserved rights of way in either direction to cross the A6005 near Nottingham Science Park. The line runs just outside University Park, main campus of the University of Nottingham which has a designated stop, again with some adjoining cross-platform daily patients, this is one of the country’s tram-only ramp to the new 46m span bus connections. With floating slab track biggest hospital complexes. Serving bridge over the four-track railway near to control noise and vibration, a reverse regional hospitals is a near-universal Lenton South Junction. The tramway then curve brings the track to the ramp at practice for modern French tramways, but curves down to Enterprise Way through the western end of an elevated section. this level of proximity is a first for the UK. the ng2 Business Park that occupies the This includes the Ningbo Friendship A public path has been installed former Royal Ordnance Factory site, Bridge, a name celebrating links between alongside the tracks from an access closed in 2002. Supported by the premise Nottingham and the city in eastern China. lift/stairway west of the A52 to the of becoming tram-served, this modern The 62m-span bowstring bridge crosses Queen’s Medical Centre stop which is development takes its name from the the A52, here part of the Nottingham ring part of the viaduct. There will be level postal code, with ng2 also the name of road. Its deck joins a viaduct with bearing- access from the platforms to hospital the stop directly outside the Speedo mounted floating slab track through the buildings with a new QMC entrance. swimwear group’s global headquarters. grounds of the Queen’s Medical Centre. Addressing the complex issue of Councillor Nick McDonald explains the With around 6300 staff and over 2250 electromagnetic compatibility with significance of the tram in terms of driving sensitive equipment on the site, most commercial development in the city: The Ningbo Friendship Bridge seen from tramway masts in this vicinity have their “We can definitely demonstrate that the University of Nottingham campus. own current supply, another innovation where we’ve built tramlines it’s created developed as part of the Phase Two activity and inward investment as the ng2 programme. Business Park wouldn’t exist if it were not for that length of tramline, and there are ANOTHER NEW RAIL CROSSING some significant businesses located there.” After crossing the River Leen, the track Having crossed the main A453 Queen’s returns to street level and road-sharing Drive, for about 1km (0.6 miles) the until just beyond the Gregory Street tramway takes the much quieter Meadows stop. Diverging from Lenton Lane is a Way which serves local housing.
The impressive Ningbo Friendship Bridge celebrates the relationship between Nottingham and the Chinese city. The Chilwell line by Djanogly Art Gallery at University Park.
We’ve definitely “demonstrated that where we’ve built tramlines
it’s created activity and
inward investment; ng2 Business Park wouldn’t“ exist if it were not for that length of tramline.
COUNCILLOR NICK McDONALD – NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL
The pale surface between Lower Road and New for the tramway, Lenton Lane Bridge. Fletcher Road approximates to the demolition site that enabled a through-route for NET.
Development of the ng2 Business Park was assisted by NET’s second phase: the junction of Enterprise Way and Queen’s Drive. Incentro 215 on Meadows Way, the Council House is in the background
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 21 22 / NET Phase Two Special www.tautonline.com www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 23 in the tools and machinery and in the THE NET FLEET procedures and how they work. Incentro repairs and replacements use components ntil the introduction of The GBP300 000 (EUR400 000) ‘refresh’ from original manufacturers and those that NET’s Alstom Citadis, the service project was completed at Wilkinson are re-engineered. It is NET policy to use Uwas operated by 15 Bombardier Street. Trams received LED lighting, local suppliers where possible.” five-section bi-directional Incentro AT6/5 signage and upholstery to approximate Although there was space to expand the trams assembled in 2002-03 at Litchurch to the new Citadis. Almost a reversal of system’s only depot at Wilkinson Street, Lane works in nearby Derby. With Nantes the original livery, silver became the main the advent of another tram type influenced in France as the only other operator, external colour. Within a year of the first how the facilities needed to change. Susan albeit with the longer AT6/5L version, tram, 215, being transformed in March Evans continues: “We had to think about the Incentro had a short commercial life. 2013, all Incentros had been through the the fact that the doors on the Citadis are This was more to do with changes in the process. Nottingham Trams’ Paul Robinson in different places compared with the tram-building business than being a flawed adds: “We also introduced something Incentro, so where the pits are and where product, for the Incentro has proven to be with Alstom called a Tram Reliability they finish. The way the roof-mounted very reliable and popular with users. Improvement Programme (TRIP), which boxes open are also different so the roof NET’s Incentro is air-conditioned and looked at the top five areas of failure to gantry setups have to be slightly different; 100% low-floor, accommodating around identify the root cause. We could then you’ve got to have some flexibility there 200 passengers, of which 64 have access to decide whether we needed a design as well as for the jacking points. All this mixed types of seating. The original livery change, a change of maintenance process means you have to have dedicated roads prominently featured dark green, a colour or to fit a different piece of equipment – set for Incentro or Citadis. That has all with local associations that had been used the Incentros have all gone through that, become a routine now, but it had to be on city motor buses and trolleybuses. and their reliability is extremely high.” worked through in all of the planning.” Combined with a band of silver and black Even on relatively new systems, mixed There was both continuity and window surrounds, it gave the trams a fleets are not unusual, but they do offer change for the staff due to the transition look of tradition and civic identity. Naming a number of challenges. Susan Evans from Arrow to Tramlink as well: “The the trams after locally significant people explains: “You’ve got to have double the Bombardier team transferred across under was a feature from the outset, something number of spares and that obviously takes the legal provisions, and we’ve brought being extended across the enlarged fleet. up more space. Then you have differences additional people in to build upon this core team as the fleet size has increased. RUNNING A MIXED FLEET We’ve got some warranty staff [the Citadis Ahead of a mid-life rebuild expected in is under a two-year agreement], but in 2018, Nottingham’s Incentros went through The aim was to reality everyone works together.” a substantial makeover in preparation for refresh“ the Incentros as sharing duties with newer stablemates. they had inevitably started INTRODUCING THE CITADIS Alstom‘s Susan Evans explains the thinking to look a bit tired. But for the An international best-seller, the Citadis is
behind this project: “The aim was to public it shouldn’t matter the sole motive power on many systems
refresh the Incentro fleet from an aesthetic which tram appears as long around the world. An ever-evolving point of view as they had been around for as it does so when it should,“ platform since its debut in 1999, the a number of years, so inevitably had started that it’s clean and there’s Citadis is associated with the option to to look a bit tired. But for a member nothing broken. customise the tram according to operator of the public at a tramstop, it shouldn’t preference. Most noticeable in the range matter which tram appears as long as it SUSAN EVANS – CUSTOMER of external cab-end styles, the Alstom appears at the time that it should do, that DIRECTOR, ALSTOM design has many ‘faces’ around the world. it’s clean and there’s nothing broken.” More prosaic are the options for seating configurations, the configuration of floor Citadis and Incentro trams are used space and onboard communication systems. interchangeably across all services. NET uses a 2.4m-wide, bi-directional 302 variant assembled at Alstom’s Santa Perpetua de Mogoda plant just north of Barcelona, Spain. It has five sections, is 100% low-floor and air-conditioned. The first vehicle in batch 216-237 arrived at Wilkinson Street in September 2013, the last in November 2014. Susan Evans describes the stages leading to the operational debut: “We introduced the Citadis in batches. The first five, a contractual milestone for the enhanced service, happened last August (2014). What we’ve done since then is introduce the trams in batches of six to seven at a time, that enables us to rotate the fleet. “The Citadis all go through their first 1000km before they are handed over to the operator, but it is also then to get
24 / NET Phase Two Special www.tautonline.com March 2014 at Wilkinson Street depot during the transition for handling fleet expansion.
The interior of an NET Alstom Citadis.
NET TRAM NAMES The system's trams are named after their kilometres up in stages to get them Driver training has included the use of well-known Nottingham people nominated by the public, and the through their first oil‘ change’ (5000km) a new 3D computer trainer at the depot. numbers follow on from those of the without them all appearing at the depot at As well as giving route familiarisation, first-generation trams from the early the same time. The next major inspection the tools developed with Tram-Pro (also 20th Century. is at 25 000 km, but the depot team are supplier to Manchester Metrolink) can also Bombardier Incentro currently looking at 2017-18 and beyond represent conditions that could not readily 201 Torvill and Dean because you want to work back from be provided during actual operations. Paul 202 D H Lawrence there and discuss with the operator how Robinson explains: “It’s helped for driver 203 William ‘Bendigo’ Thompson you get all of that smoothed out.” training, but also recruitment as we can 204 Erica Beardsmore As for other resources, Nottingham see who has the right skillset very quickly. 205 Lord Byron 206 Angela Alcock Trams is the asset manager of not only Before the simulators we only ever used 207 Mavis Worthington the trams but every aspect of the system. to take two drivers out at a time to train, 208 Dinah Minton Maintenance, including for the Bombardier now we can train eight drivers at once.” 209 Sid Standard Incentros, is subcontracted to Alstom. Nottingham Trams deploys 40 staff for 210 Sir Jesse Boot infrastructure maintenance and cleaning 211 Robin Hood 212 William Booth DOUBLING THE SYSTEM and uses an automated asset management 213 Mary Potter Expanding the service has unsurprisingly system called Agility to keep track of 214 Dennis McCarthy MBE called for extra staff and for changes in every nut and bolt. Paul Robinson adds: 215 Brian Clough how things are done. Paul Robinson says: “The authority or Tramlink can log a fault Alstom Citadis “After the rollout of off-tram ticketing remotely onto a PDA or smartphone, (named to date) and the new ticket vending machines, then Agility raises the work order; the 216 Julie Poulter - Nottingham we took conductors off the trams and authority’s portal means they can Nurse of the Year 2014** retrained and redeployed them – we’ve also watch these jobs being cleared. 217 Carl Froch - World Super not made a single person redundant. It’s removed reams and reams of paper. Middleweight Boxing With Line One this business had 160 It also records unplanned work, such as Champion 218 Jim Taylor - Former city people, with Phase Two it’s up to 300. graffiti or window breaks, and plots the Director of Development As the fleet has more than doubled, our lifecycle and replacement programmes 219 Alan Sillitoe - Author of organisation has doubled.” of all the assets.” Nottingham-set ‘Saturday Night and Sunday Morning’ 220 Kim Helm - Nottingham Tram 236, newly named after the Michelin-starred chef Nurse of the Year 2015** Sat Bains, leaves Clifton Centre on 10 September 2015. 221 Stephen Lowe - Nottingham-born playwright 223 Colin Slater MBE - Journalist; BBC Radio Nottingham sports commentator 229 Viv Anderson MBE – Football coach and former Nottingham Forest and England player 234 George Africanus - Born 1763, former slave who became Nottingham’s first black entrepreneur 236 Sat Bains - Michelin-starred chef with premises on Lenton Lane 237 Stuart Broad - Nottingham- born county and Test cricketer
** 12-month namings
Future tram names will be listed at www.thetram.net/tram-names
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 25 SERVICES FOR A BIGGER NET
Weekday Cross at the southern edge of Nottingham’s centre.
he basic timetable is set Services start from all termini around Sunday. Non-folding cycles are not allowed to Nottingham City Council’s 06.00 on all days; some begin earlier on trams, although there are several NET Trequirements, then expanded at those stops where the trams work stops with storage facilities as part of the upon by Tramlink Nottingham to create outwards from the depot. Until the council’s Citycard Cycle Hub scheme. Both the best service for the passenger. It night-time equivalent as services end, lines have the same service frequency. is a situation explained by Tramlink trams run end-to-end on the two normal The shared track between David Lane Nottingham’s Phil Hewitt: “This is why services. These are between Hucknall and Nottingham Station (southern limit having a flexible and informed client is and Toton Lane (around 60 minutes) and of the designated ‘city centre’) peaks with crucial; they have understood what we between Phoenix Park and Clifton South trams around three-four minutes in each have tried to do in matching the service to (around 45 minutes). They are designated direction approximately 07.00-10.00 and what people want, rather than sticking to by destination, with no route numbers 15.00-19.00, Monday to Friday. Reflecting assumptions of what people wanted when used. The NET timetable has three the significance of retailing and leisure the contract was drawn up in 2010.” categories: Monday-Friday, Saturday and use outside of conventional commuting
NET Customer Services Advisor Claire Towers was selected by colleagues to be the new ‘voice’ of Nottingham Trams for on-tram announcements, taking over from local teacher Wendy Smith in January 2015. Courtesy of NET
Royal Centre stop is a focus of night-time demand. Enhanced NET services have now allowed a more flexible offering for passengers.
26 / NET Phase Two Special www.tautonline.com Westbound bus/tram Beeston Centre platforms …and city-bound during the showing the European-style central interchange... pre-opening ‘shadow service’.
patterns, the same interval operates plans are. So we are trying to match what but we now do six in the morning until ten 10.00-19.00 on Saturdays. Stops outside we are doing for them. We used to run at night; our customer service team have of this central section have half these three trams per hour in the evenings their own iPads so even if they’re frequencies. The lowest frequency per line after seven o’clock… but only having not here they can go on online at home is 15 minutes. Each line has a Sunday one tram every twenty minutes is not or wherever they are. What we don’t ten-minute interval for 07.00-19.00. a modern light rail system – it’s not a want is for social media to react more In delivering the timetable, Nottingham modern transport system at all. quickly than we can.” Trams is contracted to have 33 trams “Sundays were equally as troubled, the More traditional communication has available, 31 in service and two ‘hot service was incredibly patchy so demand not been neglected however, as NET spares’ – one normally at the depot with wasn’t big enough. That was partly produces many and varied print materials. the other held nearer the system’s centre because we didn’t offer a good service – General leaflets like timetables and fare for a rapid response. it’s a chicken and egg situation. But the guides are supplemented by more targeted Admirably clear and succinct, the offer of cities has moved on and so have items like the Queen’s Medical Centre locally-accented audio announcements people in terms of what they do in the guide, tramway cycle routes and for for the new network were recorded by evenings, such as coming back into the city special events. Since July 2013, NET has Nottingham native and NET Customer after going home from work. Shopping run a travel centre in the city centre at Services Advisor Claire Towers. patterns have also changed, so Sunday is 4 King Street, just off Old Market Square now a very busy day.” near the Brian Clough statue. Resources PUTTING CUSTOMERS FIRST The internet was in widespread use have also been applied to develop more Phil Hewitt points to the nature of when NET Line One opened in 2004. consistent public interactions. NET has changes in demand characteristics: By coincidence this was the same year joined the Institute of Customer Service “In 2012 it was almost a standing joke that a giant of what is now generically and 72 staff with direct customer contact that after six-thirty at night there were called social media was launched. have been through their accreditation. no passengers and Nottingham effectively Facebook and later Twitter have now Within that number are travel officers, shut down. But move that on three years become important aspects of NET’s customer service and even some of the and we have seen a significant growth in internet presence, supplementing the front-line cleaning staff. the night-time economy, particularly over revamped thetram.net website. the last 12 months. Paul Robinson comments: “With social CITY TRAVEL IN A “We’ve done a lot of work with media, we learnt very early on that we DEREGULATED MARKET businesses to look at their opening needed to extend our hours to best use Although Nottingham’s public transport patterns and find out what their future the service. Our contract said nine-to-five, is comprehensive, compared to many European cities and even regions where a single tariff system applies, the structure and fare arrangements are not simple. However the change in NET concession membership from NCT to Trent Barton soon changed the availability of cross-mode information. Deregulated public transport is not inherently conducive to operators promoting the services of their competitors. NET has assorted tram-specific fares that are articulated through its own channels: as well as the conventional ticket range, there are targeted products like fares connected to events, for students and the commuter-aimed Tram2Work scheme. My Mobile Tickets is a recently-introduced registration system for buying and The junction of the two new lines to Clifton and Chilwell as viewed from Queen’s Walk. displaying tickets by smartphone.
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 27 Chris Deas explains how Nottingham North of Clifton Boulevard embankment, City Council is keen to drive passenger the tramway joins the former Great Central alignment, still apparent at the curve. choice: “We have a different regulatory market in the UK, outside of London and Cornwall, than the rest of Europe where all modes are integrated in such a way that they don’t really compete. That brings obvious and significant benefits. “What we’ve done in Nottingham is establish an environment, in support of bus services and in promoting the tram, of choice. Because of the nature of the system, the marketplace will do the rest. It does create, in some areas, a certain perversity in the amount of buses and trams competing in a corridor, but eventually – in our experience from Line One – the market settles down and you do get an element of efficiency in the way buses and trams live together.” A variety of measures have been taken to make services run by assorted operators across Nottingham more cohesive for current customers and to encourage new patronage. The Trent GBP3.50 (EUR4.80), in contrast to the operator, East Midlands Trains, has Barton Mango Card, for example, extends freestanding NET Day Pass at GBP4 add-on tram fares. Administered by to NET services and can be recharged (EUR5.50). Nottingham City Council, Kangaroo fares at the new tramstop vending machines. Within designated times and upon cover travel periods from one day to Once bought for GBP3 (EUR4.10), this validation, concessionary passes issued by 12 months on buses, trains and trams smartcard provides passengers with Nottingham and Nottinghamshire councils within a defined Greater Nottingham the best fare relative to the journey. (but not other UK local authorities) area (www.citycardnottingham.co.uk), The daily Mango charge is capped at cover NET journeys. The main local rail irrespective of operator.
MANAGING THE PHASE TWO LAND ACQUISITIONS National property consultants Bruton Bruton Knowles has worked closely Throughout the process, Bruton Knowles were appointed to manage with Nottingham City Council and its Knowles has prided itself on offering the land acquisition element of the specialist legal advisors Bircham Dyson first-class professional advice to NET Phase Two tram expansion in Bell on the law governing the use and Nottingham City Council and dealing Greater Nottingham. operation of the Compulsory Purchase with property owners both professionally The firm, which has a city centre office Order, dealing with the identification of and sensitively during a period of in Nottingham, was awarded the major affected landowners and serving notices uncertainty and potential upheaval. contract by Nottingham City Council in to all owners, occupiers and individuals The opening of the expanded network 2011. Since that time we have worked with access rights to land. in August 2015 has been a major boost in close partnership with both the client The second phase was for property to Nottingham’s transport infrastructure and the key teams within the Tramlink being permanently acquired, with Bruton and helped it to further define itself as a Nottingham consortium responsible Knowles negotiating compensation in significant business and leisure location. for delivering the GBP570m scheme respect of approximately 1400 plots, Bruton Knowles is proud to be part of that adds lines to Chilwell and Clifton, including residential, commercial, the delivery team. doubling the size of the city’s tram educational and healthcare properties. network, and adding 28 new tramstops Bruton Knowles has been negotiating the and 17.4km (10.8 miles) of track. appropriate compensation in accordance The Bruton Knowles specialist with the compensation code, based team was initially responsible for the upon the relevant evidence, dealing with provision of a Land Cost Estimate and stakeholders such as the University James Bailey establishing the total budget for the of Nottingham, the Queen’s Medical Partner acquisition of land and property. The Centre, Tesco and Wilkinson as well as a implementation of the land acquisition range of retail, industrial businesses and was enabled by the specific Transport homeowners. Our specialist team utilises and Works Order and comprised land its business and property knowledge referencing, service of notices and to understand and calculate the losses possession of the land on a temporary and disturbance being experienced by and then permanent basis. commercial owners and occupiers. www.brutonknowles.co.uk
28 / NET Phase Two Special www.tautonline.com A BRIGHT FUTURE: URBAN SPURS, HS2 AND TRAM-TRAIN lthough the Citadis has the capability, multiple operation or A vehicle extensions are not being contemplated for Nottingham; longer vehicles would require infrastructure modifications to achieve the capacity benefits that could be better derived from an enlarged fleet running a more intensive service. This could arise because of increased demand or due to further system expansion, which would in turn probably require a second depot to be built. The interval between protests about delays to Phase Two and calls for future extensions could be measured in days. Coupled with any financial implications, The proposed East Midlands HS2 station lies just 1km west of Toton Lane terminus. and political considerations both local and national, the performance of the Kimberley extension terminus, although If they build upon their respective strengths enlarged system and how it becomes reaching communities further up the valley they could become a real powerhouse. perceived locally will be influential. into Derbyshire is thought feasible. The tram is a key part of that, although it The populous eastern side of the city was If HS2 does come to Toton as expected, will not be the only answer. on Nottingham’s original electric tramway extending the short distance from the “Collectively there’s a real opportunity. and there are now calls for NET coverage new Toton Lane terminus is a natural HS2 will have such a huge impact on the there, a cause that may be helped by the development. With light rail providing the area, it’s how we make everything work area having disused railway alignments. fixed link with Nottingham, a similar case with that. Should we be pushing towards For several years the most prominent could be made for Derby, especially as Derby? Do you move towards a fast tram proposal has been a 6.4km (four-mile) line the two city centres are only about 24km solution using part of the tram infrastructure from Phoenix Park to Kimberley in the (15 miles) apart. and part of the rail infrastructure to link north-west of Nottingham. This would Asked if there was scope for the cities the cities? There is a lot to consider.” bring trams to the currently heavily-used to jointly promote regional transport, A610 corridor beyond the M1 motorway Phil Hewitt says: “I think it’s essential that A COUNCIL WITH AMBITION at junction 26. Giltbrook Retail Park Derby, Nottingham and the counties work Chris Deas gives a final City Council with an IKEA anchor store is the likely together because they are complementary. perspective on the opening of Phase Two.
Nottingham’s tramway has helped improve its economic prospects and made it a strong focal point for the UK transport industry.
www.tautonline.com NET Phase Two Special / 29 Incentro 205 in original livery draws away from Phoenix Park in June 2010; could an alignment from here to Kimberley be the next major extension for NET?
I think it’s essential“ that Derby, Nottingham and the counties work together. Collectively
you have a real opportunity.
HS2 will have such a huge impact on the area, it’s how“ we make everything else work around that. “I am really pleased to say that Nottingham previously conducted feasibility studies now has a tram network, rather than just on a number of options and in particular PHIL HEWITT – EXECUTIVE a tramline. That’s so important.” He feels disused railway lines that run to the east CHAIRMAN, TRAMLINK NOTTINGHAM that they are at a point where there are and north. Some progress has been made plenty of options, yet a substantial fourth on a number of those routes, but work is line is not the inevitable move as there is now needed to turn that historic feasibility still untapped potential in NET’s present work based on our current assessment of three lines: “We’ve clearly got some feasibility into a strategic plan for Phase opportunities for what I would call short Three, to then get funding. That’s a urban extensions, primarily to link to new ten-year project, and five years just to housing developments.” get to the point where you think, ‘It’s going A format in long UK gestation and one to happen’, or not. in which Nottingham’s German twin city “One thing the tram has definitely done of Karlsruhe is its greatest exponent, for the city is to give a sense that we can the tram-train may have a role in this do big things. The tram has given us the Tram-train services such as those in area where railways are so prominent. confidence to say ‘we are a big city, a cool Nottingham’s twin city of Karlsruhe Chris Deas expresses a certain amount city – and we can be ambitious for what offer possibilities for expansion of light of frustration at the delays to the UK’s we want to be.’ We’re never going to be rail services in the East Midlands. ‘pilot’ scheme that will link Sheffield and huge geographically, but that European Rotherham, less than 65km (40 miles) to model of small, well-run, prosperous cities the north: “The pilot scheme is supposed that are nice to be in and feel progressive to inform the government and the railway – that’s what Nottingham should be. community, this would in turn help decide “We would like more than three lines, what investment could be made as but do we wait five years before we start tram-trains can potentially unlock funding thinking about it, or do we start thinking that traditionally went for rail schemes to about it now? It has to be now.” local authorities. We looked at tram-train technology on Line One and technically USEFUL LINKS it works, so we’re a little frustrated by the pace of the pilot as it will help inform Nottingham NET some of our future decision-making.” www.thetram.net Nottingham City Council Behind 233 near Wilford Road is the Councillor Nick McDonald is also www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk re-profiled Great Central railway clearly passionate about the future of NET, Tramlink Nottingham embankment; further disused believing that Phase Two is the start and www.tramlinknottingham.co.uk alignments could expand NET service. not the end of the expansion: “We have
30 / NET Phase Two Special www.tautonline.com making the difference
Congratulations on opening NET Phase Two
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