Nottingham Corporation Tramways - 1898 - Planning

Planning

In the early part of the year a deputation from Nottingham Corporation visited the cable-operated tramway system at Edinburgh and the overhead electric systems at Bristol and Dover, with the result that on 28 March the Tramways Committee recommended to the City Council that the proposed electric tramways should be operated on the overhead electric system. At an estimated cost of £425,000 (£35.1 million as of 2013),, electric tramways were proposed as follows:

1. Market Place to Trent Bridge via Arkwright Street.
2. From tramway 1 via Greyfriar Gate or Canal Street, continuing via Castle Boulevard, Lenton Boulevard, Radford Boulevard and Gregory Boulevard to Mansfield Road.
3. From tramway 2 via Wilford Road and the Victoria Embankment to Trent Bridge.
4. Market Place to Winchester Street, Sherwood, via King Street/Queen Street, Milton Street and Mansfield Road.
5. From tramway 4 via Woodborough Road to Mapperley, Porchester Road.
6. Along Parliament Street, what is now King Edward Street, St Ann’s Well Road and The Wells Road to Woodborough Road.
7. Market Place to Bulwell Market Place via Chapel Bar, Derby Road, Alfreton Road, Radford Road and Vernon Road.
8. Upper Parliament Street and Market Street.

Powers for these were granted in the Nottingham Corporation Act 1899.

Certain fare reductions were made during March and, as a result, the bus service connecting the Basford tram service with Bulwell was curtailed at Bulwell Market Place. Suggestions for a bus service to Sneinton were turned down, but in October, following further representations, a service was instituted between Thurland Street, near the Market Place, and Carlton Road Brickyard via Pelham Street, Hockley and Sneinton Street. Six buses were purchased second-hand from Glasgow for this service. The service immediately attracted competition and three privately owned buses commenced operation over the route within a few days of its inception.

On 1 February, J. Aldworth commenced office as Tramways Manager, a position he was to hold for 30 years. Previously he had been Manager of the Douglas, Isle of Man, Tramways, and he succeeded A. Baker on the latter being appointed Chief Officer of the London County Council Tramways.

A further investigation into car design, type of traction and the method of current collection was made by the City Engineer and the Electrical Engineer during a visit to New York and Boston. They confirmed that the overhead electric system would have to be used, although the conduit current collection system was preferable. Tenders were invited from Westinghouse and Dick, Kerr & Co. for cars, and that of Dick, Kerr & Co. for 12 cars was accepted.

Four buses were purchased for £130 (£10,738 as of 2013) each to replace old ones operating on the Carlton Road and Musters Road services.