Transport group suggests £405m Derby tram network

A transport group has published a blueprint for a new tram network in Derby.

The plan proposes four lines to link destinations including the city centre, Royal Derby Hospital, Rolls‑Royce, Infinity Park and Nottingham's system.

The Light Rail Transit Association (LRTA) said the scheme, which would cost an estimated £405m, could cut pollution, ease pressure on major road networks and boost regeneration.

David Gibson, East Midlands regional officer for the group, said: "A tram system would benefit Derby way more than the proposed A38 scheme. It could revolutionise the city."

The submission was made as part of a 12-week consultation being carried out by the East Midlands Mayoral Combined Authority (EMMCA) as part of its "Big Transport Conversation".

EMMCA is working to develop a 15-year strategy for the region, which will initially invest more than £2bn of government funding over the coming six years towards a "joined-up" transport system.

East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward said the strategy should make public transport affordable for passengers and connect communities.

A report published by the LRTA said a future tram network with four different lines could form part of this.

The first line would run west from the Wyvern through the city centre to the Royal Derby Hospital, Mickleover and Mackworth and use the route of the former Great Northern Railway.

A second line would serve Rolls‑Royce in Sinfin, Infinity Park, Chellaston and Alvaston before it would rejoin the first line near the Wyvern.

A third branch would connect the University of Derby's campuses and Allestree, while a fourth line would link Derby to Nottingham's system via Spondon, Borrowash, Draycott, Breaston and Long Eaton.

Gibson, who presented a similar scheme to Derby City Council in 2013 which was subsequently rejected for "being too expensive", said there was greater need for a tram system in the city in 2026.

Asked if the scheme was good value for money at an estimated cost of £405m, Gibson said: "I do think it will be very good value for money, it could revolutionise Derby.

"The city centre needs help and there is a lack of access, but most people don't work in the centre so we need a transport system that covers the major places of employment and education - Rolls-Royce and the hospital being examples.

"If you could join up those places with a public transport system that works at peak times, then it could really reduce the amount of traffic on our roads which comes with environmental benefits.

"A lot more houses have gone up, especially the outer areas of Derby have very poor public transport, there is a need for an alternative use of transport."

Andrew Pritchard, director of policy and infrastructure at East Midlands Councils, said the proposal was "very ambitious" but there were "challenges in deliverability".

"The challenge with tram systems is you have to move a lot of underground infrastructure away from the tracks in order to make them viable and that is probably the biggest single cost," he said.

"However, there are potential, cheaper alternatives that can be trialled - Coventry is pioneering something called Very Light Rail which uses a different kind of technology."

Pritchard added the proposal to potentially link up any future Derby tram system to Nottingham's existing network would be difficult.

"When we looked at this before, when we were looking to serve HS2, it was really challenging to make an economic case to go from where we are now to building a tram network that links the two cities," he said.

"We felt we need to build the market gradually, make incremental improvements to public transport such as bus services... to justify the kind of investment required to do something like that.

"It's not impossible but it's a big ask from where we are now."

Ward said: "The Mayor's Big Transport Conversation is a chance for people across the region to tell me about how they want to be able to travel around the places of the East Midlands.

"I welcome all contributions to this conversation, as it is that which will allow us to build a plan which will deliver region's ambitions."

The consultation runs until 8 February, with responses used to shape a draft Transport Plan to be presented to EMCCA's board later this year.

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