NET and our environment

- See our grownupgreen article at www.grownupgreen.co.uk

Trams are powered by electricity from overhead wires and are therefore a sustainable method of travel which does not cause local pollution. Our trams use far less fuel per passenger than cars or buses and when they brake we put electricity back into the system which further improves energy efficiency.

By providing fast, reliable and attractive public transport with priority over traffic at junctions, NET encourages people to leave their cars at home or at our five large park and ride sites. Each tram can carry over 200 passengers – equal to nearly 3 double-decker buses or 2 bendy-buses. A significant number of motorists have transferred to the tram already, cutting congestion by a predicted 2 million journeys a year.

Fewer cars and buses mean less congestion and local pollution.

Construction

Throughout the construction phase of NET, the project has been involved in the protection of nature and natural features.

• Rare plants such as Common Broomrape were relocated to local nature reserves with the assistance of Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust.
• Black Redstarts and bat species were protected in an old railway viaduct which was scheduled for demolition.
• Water voles and crested newts were protected at a number of sites along the route.

Trees were lost during construction, however two new trees were planted for every one lost and, through sensible hard and soft landscaping, we have enhanced the areas that the tram runs through.

Operation

Since opening, NET has continued to work in close liaison with the Environment Agency to ensure that we use environmentally friendly weedkilling agents, with special provisions in place at outfalls and rivers.

At the depot, previously a contaminated industrial site, we regularly monitor water run-off and gas emissions to avoid polluting local watercourses.

See our grownupgreen article at www.grownupgreen.co.uk