The completion of Nottingham’s Phase 2 tram extension took another turn for the worse this week as contractors began ‘remedial’ works on parts of the track running to Clifton.
Work on the £570m extension began in 2012 and the project was estimated for completion in late 2014, but are already six months overdue with no end date in sight.
Claims have been circulating for months that the wrong type of concrete has been used along sections of the track, but these rumours have previously been refuted by Nottingham Express Transit (NET).
On Tuesday, a source involved with the construction told us: “The design specifications have been wrong on numerous occasions. We just do the work.
“I’ve been told there are sections of concrete there [Clifton] which haven’t met quality standards and are being relaid.
“The concrete is tested for strength and it [in areas] has been found to be inadequate.
“You would expect it to withstand a couple of generations, but I can tell you now, if passed, it won’t be a case of lasting 20 or 30 years. This will require constant remedial work”.
Residents in Clifton reacted badly to news of yet more delays. Simon, of Dungannon Crescent, said: “They were testing the trams last week and then click, click, they’re digging the roads up again. It beggars belief.
“Lilian Greenwood denied all knowledge of the concrete issue at the hustings and assured us that works were running smoothly. Where is she now?
“They claimed to have posted letters through our letter boxes. No-one I know got one”.
A statement on NET’s website reads: “The opportunity is being taken to complete some localised track works in between the extensive driver training and system testing that is currently taking place across both the new Clifton and Chilwell tram routes. This will allow the final stages of preparation for passenger services to begin.”
The first tram service was originally due to run at the end of last year. However, after a couple of changes to the timescale, NET are refusing to commit to a new date and speak only of “the middle of the year”.
BroxVox understands that owing to a period of driver training, timetable testing and final formalities, the lines won’t be open until at least the middle of August. NET plan to begin servicing both routes on the same date, so any delay to either line will see services to the other route held back.
We have contacted Lilian Greenwood and Nottingham City Council and await a response.
BroxVox 
Reblogged this on MidlandsBiz Blog.
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To answer your question regarding Lilian Greenwood she was reelected as the local MP with an increased share of the vote. Please cite the occasion on which she said everything was running smoothly. It seems highly unlikely that she would have said this. There have clearly been some problems and the six months delay has been unwelcome but lets stick to facts
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Joan, the question posed regarding Lilian Greenwood came as part of our vox, it is clearly highlighted in quotes. In a bid to maintain balanced reporting, we contacted NET before publishing this story and initially received a ‘no comment’ response. When several of our readers contacted NET via social media, we received an explanation from Clare Maskell (NET Project Manager) and published her response, only to be asked to remove it. Within that response, she referred to ‘cracked rails’, which in a later interview with the Post, a spokesperson denied being the case. We have received no response from Lilian Greenwood and no further response from NET or Nottingham City Council.
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