Estimated cost for phase two now £399m

13 September, 2006

Evening Post, 13 September

The cost of building two new Notts tram lines is now estimated at just under £400m. The city and county councils have seen the estimated cost of proposed lines for Beeston and Clifton rise steadily while they await a long overdue Government decision on them. City councillors will tomorrow hear the estimated cost of the project has risen to £399m.

Three months ago it was £377m. A year ago, £330m. The soonest date for opening the tracks is now “early 2013”, if the Government gives approval soon. It was 2011 a year ago. In February, then transport secretary Alistair Darling said he expected a Government decision within six months. He told Beeston residents to expect a "quick decision" two-and-a-half years ago.

The Department of Transport is still saying a decision is expected “shortly”.

• View the Blight-O-Meter to see what other promises are as yet unfulfilled