The green light is set to be given
to a massive programme of transport improvements in Nottingham that has
received unprecedented financial backing from the Government.
A £161m package of schemes will strengthen connections between major employment sites, upgrade public transport and improve options for people on foot or bikes – an increasingly important investment to help keep the city moving out of and beyond the Covid crisis. A number of the full schemes will now see temporary measures go in first to provide quick wins to encourage people to walk and cycle more as lockdown is lifted.
Nottingham City Council put together a joint bid with Derby City Council for a share of the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which was the only one in the country to receive the full amount requested from the Department of Transport. Some schemes will see improved connections between the two cities, such as upgrading cycle links.
Go ahead for the schemes is expected to be given at next week’s Executive Board meeting (June 16), including:
- Cycle lane improvements along key routes to employment sites, including a new bridge over the River Trent to Lady Bay
- Increasing the number of parking spaces at tram Park & Ride sites
- ‘Bus priority corridors’ – upgrading the signals at key junctions to improve bus reliability on major routes
- Improving the area around Nottingham Station and the Broadmarsh area to create a more welcoming gateway to the city which includes improvements for public transport passengers, pedestrians and cyclists
- Bike hire improvements, including electric bikes
- A new bus Park & Ride site near the A60/A614 junction north of Nottingham, along with bus priority and signal upgrades on the A60
- A major upgrade to the real-time information system at bus stops
- Upgrading Robin Hood tickets, making them more flexible, and introducing contactless payment
- Expanding the rapid electric charge point network for cars and taxis
- Workplace Travel Service – continued funding for our business support package which helps businesses offer sustainable travel options for their staff.
Further transport improvements will be carried out under the Future Transport Zone programme, after Nottingham was named as one of four areas in the country to trial innovate transport solutions and technologies. The Government has awarded a grant of £16.7m for a number of schemes, including trials of e-scooters and e-bikes and improvements to traffic information and ticketing, which are also set to be approved by the council’s Executive Board.
Councillor Adele Williams, Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for Transport said: “At a time when alternative ways of travelling are being recognised as increasingly important, it’s fantastic that Nottingham is once again at the forefront, securing unprecedented levels of Government funding for a wide range of schemes that will make a big difference for local people.
“We’re building on the good foundations of our excellent public transport system and some great walking and cycling facilities. These schemes will help to connect some of the gaps in our cycle network, especially to employment sites. We plan to put some ‘pop-up’ facilities in ahead of the full schemes so people can start to use these routes as lockdown restrictions are eased.
“Expansion of some of our tram network’s Park & Ride sites, and a new bus Park & Ride site just north of the city, will give more people the option of not bringing their cars all the way into the city, helping us to continue our efforts to reduce congestion and pollution.
“The improvements between the station and Nottingham Castle via Broadmarsh are long-awaited and will create a much-needed welcoming entrance to the city from the south, improving the area for people on foot or bike and linking to new developments and public transport connections.”