NET customers and local residents are being asked to suggest possible names for the latest trams which will be joining Nottingham’s expanding network.

When Nottingham’s original 15-strong fleet was unveiled 11 years ago, each vehicle was named after people famously associated with the city and well-known community campaigners following suggestions made by the local public.

The tradition will now be continued for each of the new trams, which can already be seen being tested on parts of the new lines to Chilwell and Clifton.

Of the 22 new Citadis trams, five have already come into use in order to support more frequent services on Line One. Currently four of them have been named and Jamie Swift, NET Marketing Manager, explained: “In the coming months, we’ll be naming the remaining 18 trams as we look forward to the expansion of services and we’d like to involve as many people as possible in drawing up a list of possible contenders.

“As part of the process we’re planning to work alongside all our famous sports clubs, our universities and the local media and, in particular, we also want to engage with community groups along the two new lines. In addition, we have launched a special online form to ensure that NET customers and other members of the public can put forward their suggested names too.”

By filling in the form, people can add their suggestion to the list of local celebrities, unsung heroes and community stalwarts already under consideration.

Jamie added: “Some people have already been in touch with ideas but when the names are finally decided we want to be able to draw upon the broadest possible list that reflects the wealth of talent, innovation and community spirit in Nottingham.

“Nominations will close on Friday 24th April and during May we’ll be announcing the selected names. In some cases we’ll be working directly with partners and community organisations to help us to choose and we’ll select the remainder based on their suitability.”

The four new trams already named have marked the achievements of Freeman of the City and Nottingham boxing superstar Carl Froch, the city’s former director of development Jim Taylor, who first brought trams back to the city and also preserved and rejuvenated the city’s Lace Market area, Freeman of the City and celebrated local writer, Alan Sillitoe, and 2014 award-winning Nottingham children’s nurse, Julie Poulter.

A full list of all the currently named trams can be found on the NET website at https://www.thetram.net/tram-names, and people can make their own suggestions at https://www.thetram.net/name-a-tram.

“Obviously, many more people use the internet now than they did in 2004 when NET tram services were launched. By collecting suggestions online we hope even more local people will get involved in the naming process,” Jamie added.