Tram Track Replacement Works To Take Place Before Covid Restrictions Are Lifted

Works to replace tram tracks on the Lace Market curve are scheduled to take place from April 29th ahead of Covid restrictions being lifted, so disruption can be minimised.

The work, which will affect tram services and some bus routes, was originally planned to take place this summer but has been brought forward so they can be completed when fewer people are using the tram services, to minimise disruption to passengers, businesses and visitors to the city centre.

Track at the corner of Fletcher Gate and Victoria Street – believed to be one of the sharpest bends on a UK tram system - will be replaced to ensure tram services can continue to be provided safely and reliably.

The tracks for the first line of the tram network were laid over 17 years ago, with services running on them since March 2004. Track replacement is a standard part of tram network maintenance, and some other older sections of the system have already been replaced.

Preparatory works will take place overnight between April 18th and 28th April, with localised traffic management in place. The main track replacement work will be carried out 24/7 from April 29th to May 10th when a full road closure will be needed.

This will be in place on Fletcher Gate just above Pilcher Gate and on Victoria Street just east of Bridlesmith Gate. This means the Lace Market tram stop will be out of action and so there will be no tram services running between Nottingham Station and Old Market Square.

A replacement bus service will be operated, running between temporary stops at the front of the station and on Upper Parliament Street near the top of Market Street. A revised tram service will be in operation – latest information will be available at www.thetram.net.

Bus services which normally travel up Fletcher Gate onto Carlton Street will be diverted onto Belward Street, Parliament Street and Maid Marian Way. Cars will be able to access the Lace Market car park but will have to exit down Middle Hill. Diversions including access to Victoria Street will be signposted. Access maintained to all properties in the area at all times.

NET’s Customer Services Manager Constantina Samara said: “The first line of the tram network has been operating services since 2004 and track replacement is an important and necessary part of making sure that we can operate a safe and reliable network, providing a comfortable journey for our customers.

“We have brought this work forward so that it can be completed ahead of the ending of Covid restrictions when we look forward to welcoming many more passengers back and seeing more people in the city. It made sense to do it while fewer people are visiting the city and using the trams, so we can keep disruption to a minimum. We apologise for any inconvenience the works do cause.”

View our track works poster here