The operator of Nottingham’s tram network has been left with a clean-up bill of up to £200,000 after floodwater contaminated with sewage spilled out onto the track in parts of the network.
Wilford Lane, where the Wilford Lane Tram Stop is based, flooded again at the beginning of January following a period of heavy rainfall.
The road was also closed last year for four days, leaving some residents trapped in their homes, during Storm Henk.
© westbridgfordwire.com
Andrew Conroy, chief operating officer at Tramlink Nottingham, told a meeting to discuss the tram network’s performance, held at Loxley House on Tuesday (14 January), that the flooding on the road had led to significant clean-up costs.
“It is very, very simple,” he said. “There is a valve on [Iremongers Pond], water comes out, it closes the valve, and water goes into the pond.
© westbridgfordwire.com
“If water covers that valve, water cannot come out, so that’s when water builds up in Wilford Lane. It wasn’t that high this time, so we were able to continue to pump off our network.
“But the problem is… it is the road network, and water still comes through the drain system. It has caused quite a lot of problems this time.
“We have got to clean up on the tram network because of what was coming out of the drains. I won’t comment on what was coming out, but it will cost us hundreds of thousands to change the ballast there.”
Mr Conroy said that the ballast – stones that provide a levelled bed and support for the tracks – must be replaced due to contamination by sewage.
@westbridgfordwirenews Nottinghamshire County Council has issued a notice to close the road. A spokesperson said at 9:28 pm on Wednesday 8 January: ‘Wilford Lane in West Bridgford will close with immediate effect at the junction of Compton Acres and The Becket Way. ‘The road will stay closed until after the morning rush hour when a further assessment will then be carried out.’ Nottingham City Transport said: ‘Wilford Lane is closed near to the tram tracks. ‘Services 1, 3, 3A are diverting via Compton Acres, Landmere Lane and Ruddington Lane in both directions, missing Wilford Lane Tram Stop and Wilford Green. ‘We expect severe delays to these services.’#CapCut ♬ original sound – West Bridgford Wire News
He said it is estimated the cost of the work will be in the region of £100,000 to £200,000.
Trevor Stocker, head of operations, added:
“We attend the tactical coordinating group for the area and we have linked in with that to understand what has been happening with the area.
“As Andrew has highlighted, this time the water hasn’t just been surface water. The water has become contaminated.
“This is something, again, really that Severn Trent need to be looking at as to how they can control that better in that area. We have plans that we need to replace that ballast because it is contaminated, but it is no good doing all of that work if next winter we are in this position.
“There is work needed in that area to understand what is happening there off the tram network. That Wilford Lane is the main arterial route in and for that road to be closed… it really is an important route. So to find a solution probably lies with others.”
Nottingham City Council said last year that discussions between the various risk management authorities have been taking place, as well as investigations into surface water management, sewer and drainage capacity, and asset maintenance on Wilford Lane.
Severn Trent has been contacted for comment.
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