A major Gedling borough transport project could now receive money from the scrapped extension to HS2, according to the Government.
Following Rishi Sunak’s speech to the Tory Party conference in Manchester, where he confirmed speculation over the decision to axe the northern leg of HS2, the Government has published a list of projects to benefit from the move.
Sunak has dubbed the project “Network North”.
The bid to bring the tram to Geding borough was one of the projects listed that could now receive a slice of the HS2 money.
Plans for a tram extension were originally proposed back in 2020, with a new line planned to head from The Meadows in the city, past Meadow Lane then through the Cattle Market. It would then continue along Daleside Road, ending at the Nottingham Racecourse park and ride. It was hoped that the old mineral line used for the Gedling Colliery could be used to take the tram from Netherfield up to Gedling Country Park.
Plans were eventually put on the backburner due to lack of funds – until now.
The money for the new tram route to Gedling would come from a £1.5 billion pot being handed to the new East Midlands City Region Mayor, with the Government suggesting in the projects document that it could be used ‘to fund an extension to the Nottingham Tram system to serve Gedling and Clifton South’.
As well as a tram extension, £2.2 billion has also been promised to tackle potholes across the Midlands and £230 million for more bus services in the region, with the popular £2 bus fare now being extended until the end of December 2024 instead of rising to £2.50 as planned.
The plans were announced by the prime minister at the Conservitive Party Conference being held in Manchester.
“No government has ever developed a more ambitious scheme for northern transport than our new Network North,” the prime minister today told members.
“This is the right way to drive growth and spread opportunity across our country. To level up.”
“I challenge anyone to tell me with a straight face that all of that isn’t what the North really needs.
“Our plan will drive far more growth and opportunity here in the North than a faster train to London ever would.”
A statement from the Department of Transport said: “Today we have announced the launch of Network North, a new approach to transport in this country.
“As a result of the decision to scrap the extension of HS2, every region will now receive investment in the modes of transport that matter to you most.”
I’d prefer a new bridge over the trent to the A46 and/or a way to get to J26 of the M1 without having to queue through basford.
This is more pie in the sky. Anyone who imagines they could used the ‘old mineral line’ hasn’t seen the state of it recently. It has no track any more and has gone feral. I quite like it as a nature reserve but there won’t be any trams using it any time soon.