High-risk crash hotspots on Nottingham’s tram network are being targeted following a spate of significant incidents over the course of just half a year.
There were 33 incidents across Nottingham’s tram network between the beginning of December last year and May this year, including a serious crash involving a Nottingham City Transport (NCT) bus.
According to a new report from Nottingham Trams Limited (NTL), the sheer frequency of road traffic incidents has had a “significant impact on service delivery”.
“The network continues to experience a significant number of road traffic collisions involving trams and other road vehicles,” a report from NTL says.
“The frequency of these incidents continues to have a significant impact on service delivery, as each occurrence requires the affected tram to be withdrawn from service pending inspection and, where necessary, repair.
“NTL is working collaboratively with both local authorities and Nottinghamshire Police to try to target high-risk locations and, where possible, design the risk out or mitigate it.”
On 19 February this year, tram bosses had to deal with the “biggest incident” they have ever dealt with, when tram 228 was involved in a crash with an NCT bus on Inham Road in Chilwell.
The tram had only just returned to service after being taken off the rails following an incident involving a car on Queens Walk, in The Meadows, in June 2025.
The damage was so severe that it had to be transported to its manufacturer, Alstom, in Derby for repairs that could end up costing up to £2 million.
A matter of days before this, on 17 February, tram 226 was involved in an incident with a lorry carrying scaffolding on Summerwood Lane.
“Tram 228 is expected to remain out of service for several months while these works are completed, with consequent implications for NTL’s ability to maintain a full timetable,” the report adds.
NTL has also launched its road traffic collision awareness media campaign, which has focused on motorists avoiding attempts to race the tram and taking risks at traffic light-controlled junctions.
It is expected that further delays could ensue despite the work, as one tram is taken out of service each week for the remainder of the year while modifications take place.
The modifications are being deployed in response to the Sandilands recommendations, enacted following the derailment of a speeding tram in Croydon in 2016, which left seven people dead.
NTL’s report adds: “Tram availability during the period has been challenging in terms of operational service delivery and has had a detrimental impact on overall performance.
“NTL has commenced a process of managing performance in this area to secure improved tram availability going forward. Whilst this is expected to improve overall availability, some significant issues remain.
“Two trams remain off the network undergoing repairs, alongside a rolling programme to stand down one tram per week for the remainder of the year to complete the overspeed modifications.
“This programme is necessary to ensure compliance with the actions set by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) in relation to the Sandilands recommendations.”
By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter