21 December
We have come to the end of 2022, so we wanted to take a look back on some of our transport highlights!
We’ve been ELECTRIC⚡
We launched a trial of the UK’s first wireless charging electric taxis
After two years in the making, Wireless Charging of Electric Taxis (WiCET) is a £3.4 million project to assess the commercial and technical viability of deploying wireless charging for electric hackney cabs. Nine taxis have been fitted with the technology and five wireless charging pads were installed on Trent Street over the summer. Read more about it here.
E-scooters!
The e-scooter trial has continued to be a success in 2022 – we’ve had a new e-scooter, new and improved processes, more in-person events, regular marketing and promotion of discounts for riders and parking spots were re-marked and we installed ten e-scooter parking racks across the city to help tackle parking issues.
Charging network
The D2N2 public network usage continued to rise with the addition of more sites across the region, plus the reliability of the network has also improved overall.
Nottingham was named in the top 20% for electric vehicle (EV) charging in the UK! The DfT published statistics on the number of EV charging points in each Local Authority in the UK with Nottingham ranking in the top 20% for all categories! Read about it here.
78 new electric buses to join the fleet
We announced the news that, in partnership with Nottingham City Transport, we obtained funding through the Zero Emission Bus Regional Areas (ZEBRA) scheme, which will see NCT introduce 78 brand new single deck electric buses to their fleet in 2023-25. Find out more here.
…And ACTIVE 🏃♂️ 🚲
Active Travel Social Prescribing
In partnership with Nottingham City Place-based Partnership, we secured a £1.6million grant from DfT to become one of eleven national pilot areas for active travel social prescribing! You can find out more about this here.
Cycle initiatives with partners
We are working with our partner organisations to provide cycle training, courses, skills sessions, and confidence boosting activities to the people of Nottingham.
In 2022, our partners have delivered:
Sustrans:
- 170 activities in Primary schools supporting walking and cycling to school
- Sustrans have supported hundreds of jobseekers in conjunction with other partners like Nottingham Bikeworks offering services like Dr Bikes, cycle training and Build A Bike courses to help them travel to work or training opportunities
Ridewise:
The Ridewise school bike library supported 257 children with loans of free bikes so they could take part. The scheme, which ended in March 2022, helped:
- 571 people learn to cycle through the Community Cycle Centres
- 79 people with free one-month bike loans from the Community Bike Library
- 194 people build cycling confidence skills using a wide range of cycles to support people with learning or physical disability and those recovering from injury or going through rehabilitation
- 200 people through Nottingham Bike Aid providing a free bike helping people on low income or zero hours contracts to get work
British Cycling:
- 3 Pedal Parties at Harvey Hadden for families
- A successful Women Learn to Ride programme helping >50 women to start cycling
- Worked in 10 schools reaching 1200 children and young people
- Holiday club activities in partnership with Ridewise attended by >300 children and young people
- Provided 120 led rides across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire
More cycle routes in the city centre continue to be opened, with works on Canal Street completed, meaning that the cycle track on Castle Boulevard is now connected to London Road.
The cycle improvement works on Hucknall Road are going well so far and will be coming to an end. Find out more about this project here.
We are now on site with cycle and pedestrian improvements to Carlton Road. The plans involve a new stepped cycle track and improved pedestrian crossing facilities. Find out more about this project here.
We are working to improve access into Colwick Country Park and improve existing paths for more people to enjoy the park and facilities. Over 400m new multiuser path is being constructed, with 1,100m of existing paths widened and resurfaced. The majority of the work has been completed with the remaining works due to be completed early February. Read more here.
Nottingham e-bike hire scheme
We announced that a new e-bike hire scheme will launch in Nottingham in spring 2023 thanks to a partnership between leading electric bike company Lime and Nottingham City Council. A fleet of up to 700 Lime e-bikes will be available to hire on a pay-as-you-go basis in key city location. Find out more here.
Cycle Map
We updated and printed our latest version of the Nottingham Cycle Map. The maps were then delivered by the council to businesses using an eCargo bike! You can view an online version of the map here, as well as request a paper copy.
Traffic Management
- Traffic Management have completed 15 Traffic Regulation Orders and 4 Off Street Parking Orders in 2022 helping to manage the highway network, whilst also supporting various transport programmes, such as Active Travel schemes.
- We have processed almost 300 Temporary Orders/Notices enabling highway works connected with new developments and/or utility/maintenance works.
- The Traffic & Safety Team have also begun the process of applying for powers of enforcement for Moving Traffic Contraventions. A recently completed engagement showed that almost 75% of responses were supportive of this proposal which will help manage congestion and improve road safety.
Waterside Bridge
This year we have continued to develop the designs and prepare for the planning application by undertaking several ecological surveys. We have also been working with a Principal Contractor to firm up the construction programme. Planning application to be submitted next year. More details here.
Streets for People
Our Streets for People programme of highway and footpaths resurfacing and repairs kicked off in the autumn and runs until spring 2024. We’re making good progress, with a number of streets already finished. See the programme and check out what’s coming up near you here.
Future High Street Scheme
The consultation asks for opinions on changes to the road layout at the roundabout on Maid Marian Way and the junction of Mount Street and Maid Marian Way. More here.
The consultation for this scheme has now ended and we would like to thank everyone who took part for their input. We will review the feedback and share revised plans next year, keep a look out for more updates.
Workplace Travel Service
Electric Van Experience
The Electric Van Experience has continued to support local businesses, now with over 100 loans provided to a range of companies since the start of the programme. Businesses and organisations have been keen to see if an electric van is right for their business and it’s great to see that some are now wanting to make a permanent change to EVs following the scheme. Find more here.
eCargo Bikes
We have launched our eCargo bike experience and are excited to see businesses, sole traders, creatives, voluntary and public sector organisations alike making use of these exciting, zero emission bikes. eCargo bikes can be loaned for between 30 and 90 days and have several benefits to both organisations and their staff. Find out more and express your interest here.
FareShare Midlands
Using a grant from the Workplace Travel Service, FareShare was able to provide cycle facilities at their premises. FareShare is a charity that works hard to alleviate food poverty and reducing food waste in the UK. They received a grant for a bike shelter, help from Sustrans with Doctor Bike & a big launch event.
Nottingham’s award-winning public transport 🚌
Realtime display upgrades and wayfinding
We’ve added 37 TFT (Thin Film Transistor) displays which are more reliable and have sharper graphics which will make it easier for some people with sight impairments to read. We are installing 55 more in January 2023, leading to a total of 443. Read more about this here.
Interactive wayfinder tool deployed on touchscreens on Beastmarket Hill and at Broad Marsh Bus Station, Victoria Bus Station and Shakespeare Street totems. Further locations will be developed in the new year.
Ticketing got even SMARTER
The Robin Hood Flexible Days card launched in response to changing travel habits. This card allows bus and tram travellers to bulk buy individual days of multi-operator travel and use them when they need it. More info here.
Contactless payment roll-out on all bus and tram services in Nottingham! We also introduced the new Nottingham Contactless multi-operator Tap & Go option – available across Nottingham City Transport buses, NET trams and Linkbuses operated by CT4N. Find out more here.
New bus stations!
Broad Marsh bus station opened in June! A number of operators have services running from the new station including National Express. Recent statistics have shown that National Express passenger numbers have increased since moving back to Broad Marsh station compared to pre-COVID, suggesting a very positive impact on customer levels.
PLUS, from October, Trentbarton returned to Broad Marsh Bus Station operating multiple services including Skylink and Mainline. Read more about Trentbarton services here.
Let’s not forget the consultation and design work for Bulwell Bus Station, with construction set to begin in the new year! Read more here.
Greater Nottingham Enhanced Partnership
Introduction of the Greater Nottingham Enhanced Partnership. This collaboration will see the delivery of bus priority measures and improved passenger experience. More details here.
125 years of Nottingham City Transport
We celebrated 125 years of Nottingham City Transport being publicly owned! It’s been 125 years since October 1897 when Nottingham City Council took over running what was then the Nottingham Tramway Company. Read more about it here.
Wait…there’s more! Derby-Nottingham Future Transport Zone -Data Platform Scheme
We signed £1.1 million contract with VivaCity Labs in November 2022 for delivery of 203 sensors providing classified traffic counts and average journey times. Installation is due to start July 2023. The sensors are AI capable and use shape recognition technology with the ability to generate journey times by vehicle class using ANPR. In addition, a smart traffic signal junction trial to be carried out at the A6514 Western Boulevard/B690 Aspley Lane junction on the Ring Road.
