Nottingham is experiencing utter chaos on the roads at the moment. I’ve already mentioned the Aspley Lane “improvement” which has created more congestion than was ever there before (unless you’re a bus, on a bike, or live in Broxtowe and want to go into town). The tens of thousands of motorists using the so-called “ring road” have been completely screwed by the Council’s continued pandering to the less glamorous areas in the county.
But all of that is being exacerbated by the on going tram works, which are forcing people to take routes intended to avoid the black spots. Rather than list the numerous articles I’ve written concerning the tram, just type “tram” into the search box on the right and you’ll be able to see them. Back in November 2012, I referred to the works as a case of criminal incompetence on the part of the City Council. Every day that has passed since then has simply reinforced that statement.
The City Council is repeatedly telling the media that the extension lines will open on time, and yet there have seen repeated delays caused by accidents and “unforeseen” problems. For example, back in September a bridge intended to span the Fairham Brook (an expanse of water so wide we used to paddle in it as kids, and in most places you could jump across it if you took a good run up) collapsed. Naturally, absolutely no delay to the estimated completion dates was envisaged at Prat Central. And in this latest episode concerning the Chilwell works, it appears that numerous further delays have occurred.
Let’s just take note that back in November in a separate story some idiot was quoted:
Nottingham’s tram extension will finish on time at the end of 2014 despite recent delays, a tram spokesman said.
But this latest story reports that there have been further delays due to:
- “technical difficulties” (current – no timeframe given)
- Chilwell works 6-10 weeks behind schedule (September 2013)
- Chilwell a “further month” behind (November 2013 – due to ageing pipes)
And yet the same article concludes:
Nottingham City Council said it still plans to see trams running by the end of 2014, despite the delays.
I repeat once more: criminal incompetence. How can these absolute idiots make a statement like that when – on top of already being at least 3 months behind schedule – there are current “technical difficulties” with no resolution time frame given? I mean, if those involved actually knew how long it would take they’d be anxious to publicise it, wouldn’t they? It could take them 6 months or a year to overcome these “difficulties” for all anyone knows, and yet those morons on the Council keep repeating the same mantra.
And if they do manage to get the thing running on time, why did they build in so much slack when they knew what problems it was going to cause to tens of thousands of motorists and retailers while it was taking place?
The damage to businesses anywhere near the tram works – indeed, for most businesses in Nottingham as traffic has either been held up by or attempted to avoid those works – is immense and irreparable. Businesses have already gone under because of it, and more are bound to follow. The Council is directly responsible.
Furthermore, the additional pollution due to congestion and longer transit times – something the Glorious Tram System is supposed to alleviate, and which have since been made permanently worse by the equally incompetent Aspley Lane “improvements” – will take decades to claw back, and that’s even if you believe the misleading hype about how green the tram is in the first place. The trams already run empty most of the day.
And one final little detail. All work has stopped for the Christmas period.