Network North: Government say HS2 cash could now be used to bring tram to Gedling

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today announced the Government will support a series of transport schemes after cutting HS2 north of Birmingham – with Gedling borough could soon benefit from the cash saved.

The move was made as costs spiralled on the multi-billion pound HS2 project. The saved cash will now fund a series of transport projects listed under the banner of Network North.

One of those could be the extension of the tram network to Gedling, which appeared on the list released earlier today.

Plans for a tram extension were originally proposed back in 2020, with a new line heading from The Meadows, 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.

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Plans to extend the tram to Clifton South as well as Gedling are also back on the table.

The money for the new tram system would come from a £1.5 billion pot being handed to the new East Midlands City Region Mayor, with the Government suggesting in the document it could be used ‘to fund an extension to the Nottingham Tram system to serve Gedling and Clifton South’.

£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.

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“No government has ever developed a more ambitious scheme for northern transport than our new Network North,” the prime minister said.

“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.”

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