March 2003

BCBRA are doing doorstep interviews with people to apparently gauge opinion to the tram. I say "apparently" because the questionnaire is biased. It is clearly geared to give the answer they want to hear rather than be a genuine poll.

Read it in full.

At the end of February, T.T. from Carlton wrote to the Nottingham Evening Post saying that rather than build a tram, the "solution to the traffic problem is to raise the driving age from 17 to 21; also, when 75, you must surrender your licence". Even for the Antis, this was a pretty weak argument but to cap this, T.T wrote another letter suggesting walking as a valid means of transport and inviting BACIT's very own chairman Steve Barber to "Try it sometime". Whilst BACIT promotes walking as part of a proper transport strategy it doesn't help the sick, the disabled, the mother with small children or the OAP's who would lose their licence under T.T.'s other ludicrous plan.

And for the record, Steve Barber has this to say:

Some years ago, as reported in the Post, I did try it walking, in fact I walked 250 miles to a remote village in the Himalayas. I was so touched by the poverty I saw that I started an appeal to build a 100 seated dining room for possibly the most remote school in the world. I kicked this off by walking to the tops of Wales's 15 highest mountains within 24 hours (A challenge I've now completed 4 times) To train for both events I walked the Peak Marathon (50 miles) and have climbed several of Scotland's Munroes.

The long running saga over the Shaw & Marvin site looks like its finally moving forward. Broxtowe Council's planning department lists application 03/00223/OUT of Week Ending Friday 3 March 2003 (Week No: 50) for "foodstore, petrol filling station, customer & staff car
park, new vehicular access and highway improvements and associated development". If you believe local rumour it will be a new Tescos superstore. This will be a massive development in Beeston that will have a significant impact on traffic in the area. Its development must go hand in hand with the redevelopment of the bus station, the square and the construction of the tram. BACIT will be watching and campaigning for a development that is integrated with public transport and isn't just a magnate for even more cars.

BCBRA and the Antis often try to paint BACIT as an uncaring group that ignores the impact trams will have on the old people in the various homes along the route. But its precisely because we care about the impact trams will make that we campaign. Trams will change the lives of the old people for the better, just as they have done in Croyden.

I drive a pavement scooter and Tramlink is marvellous - roro service for scooters!! It's great to be able to get from Beckenham to Croydon, especially as Beckenham has so few shops. Getting on a bus is a non-starter... Needless to say I am eager to see the trams extended.
From a Croydon resident

A major step forward in providing Nottingham with a first class public transport system came to light today. The Nottingham Evening Post has run a story about how Nottingham City Transport, Trentbarton buses, and NET are in discussions over a joint ticketing scheme which will be valid on buses and trams. Its not a done deal but this is great progress and all the companies involved get our full support for this initiative.

The story also confirms that the tram is on schedule for November.

If you watched Working Lunch today you will have seen a piece on the proposed Line Three. Because BCBRA organised the report it had a strong anti-tram bias as Steve Williams and Steve Willoughby where allowed to spout rubbish with almost no response from NET. Such as:

"[Chilwell High] road is going to be closed for approximately two years while the tram is built down here, with no compensation for the businesses," says campaigner Steve Willoughby.

BCBRA knows the road won't be closed and that there will be an assistance package. NET, the County Council, Broxtowe Council and Nick Palmer MP are all working hard to get the best possible package for the traders on Chilwell High Road. The traders have been sent letters to that effect, Nick Palmer and council members have spoken to BCBRA on the subject, yet still BCBRA come out with this rubbish rather than campaign for a first class assistance package. Why? Well your guess is as good as mine but Steve Willoughby, leader of BCBRA, runs Willoughby Garages. The tram won't run pass his business so he wouldn't qualify for any compensation but he does sell cars and the tram is expected to reduce car usage.

If you want to know more about what will really happen with traders along Chilwell High Road, then read this response from our Ask NET feature.

Sunday saw the first running of a tram under its own power on Line One. Budding BACIT reporter Steve Barber was on hand:

At 09:05 this morning, 02 March 2003 tram 202 driven by Andy Wood was the first to venture on to the main line under it's own power. A few trial runs were made to the Ring Road before, under the gaze of the railway inspector, it cleared the two over bridges with very low pantograph clearances. It arrived as Davids Lane where The Nottingham Evening Post were waiting. The Post interviewed Stephen Dee of Croydon Tramlink group and David Hardy of Basford. Both were very positive. The runs appeared to be a success and will continue through the day as far as Highbury Vale.

The Nottingham Evening Post's write up is here and some photos can be found on this German tram site.