---

Transport: Nottingham Express Tram

My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport (Douglas Alexander) has made the following Ministerial Statement. I have today given programme entry approval to a scheme to extend the Nottingham Express Transit (NET). The promoters, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, are seeking to build on the success of Line One with two new extensions. The extensions are planned to go to Chilwell/Beeston and Clifton, linking directly into Line One at Nottingham Station. The Nottingham tram has been a great success in encouraging people on to public transport. These extensions provide the opportunity to continue this success and give people in the south of Nottingham quicker and more convenient access to the city centre. We are still at an early stage in the approval process but we will continue to work with the Nottingham authorities so they can deliver a tram that is attractive to passengers and value for money for the taxpayer. Subject to the scheme progressing satisfactorily to full approval, central Government will contribute funding of up to £437 million in PFI credits towards the costs of the extensions. Programme entry demonstrates our support for the extensions. Providing that the necessary planning powers are granted and the other conditions of funding approval are satisfied, including that costs are kept under control, construction of the extensions could startin 2010.