Consortium awarded NET Phase Two contract
Nottingham City Council has selected Tramlink Nottingham as its preferred bidder to build two new tram lines to Clifton and Chilwell (NET Phase Two) and operate the extended tram network. Tramlink beat off competition from Arrow Connect to seal the deal.
The council says it is now finalising the details of the contract, which it hopes to award in late summer 2011.
As part of the deal, Arrow Light Rail, which currently operates line one in the city, will be terminated in order to provide “full integration” with NET Phase Two.
The government confirmed last Thursday that funding is to be made available to enable the construction of two more tram lines. The two lines, known as NET Phase Two, are to be added to Nottingham's tram network, after cost savings were identified to make the project more affordable.
Jane Todd, Nottingham City Council's chief executive, said: "The process of selecting a preferred bidder has involved a lengthy, formal and highly demanding process to ensure the best outcome for both the city and the future of the tram. We received two very strong bids but Tramlink Nottingham has come out on top. We look forward to working with them to develop their proposals before awarding the full contract."
Roger Harrison, Tramlink Nottingham chairman, said: "We are delighted to have been selected as preferred bidder. Building on Arrow's successful legacy, we are excited to be taking forward the next chapter in Nottingham's tram story. Our focus now will be on working with Nottingham City Council to ensure NET Phase Two can be introduced at the earliest opportunity.
"We have put together an extremely strong partnership and we are confident of being able to create a network which will not only be efficient and effective in terms of meeting the city's transport needs but which will also help to take Nottingham's international status to a new level."
Construction work on the new lines could start by the end of the year, says the council. Passenger services across the extended tram network could be fully operational by the end of 2014.
Tramlink Nottingham comprises VINCI, Alstom, Keolis, Wellglade, Meridiam and Infravia.
