Nottingham tram extension: New tramline 'would cost £168m'

Construction of lines two and three has been blamed for congestion and damaging businesses

A fourth tram line in Nottingham would cost up to £168m, a study has said.

Last week, trams began running on the £570m extensions to Clifton and Chilwell - eight months late.

The £70,000 feasibility study looked at a route under the M1 to Giltbrook Retail Park, via Kimberley, with a possible extension into Derbyshire.

Campaigners said it will bring investment into Kimberley but some businesses said the proposed stops are too far out of town.

The tram route would skirt the edge of Kimberley

The study by Mott MacDonald for Broxtowe Borough Council looked at four potential routes to the retail park, site of an Ikea store.

It would extend west just under four miles (6.4km) from Phoenix Park on the edge of Nottingham, passing under the M1 and the potential HS2 line, which may run alongside the motorway.

A further extension to Derbyshire towns of Langley Mill, Heanor and Ripley was "technically feasible" but would require further consideration.

It would be at least six years until the trams would start running to Kimberley, the study suggested.

Andy Cooper from pressure group KENTAG, which has been campaigning for a tramline to the town, said despite the problems with the second and third phases, there has been "massive support" for the extensions.

"I think this area is crying out for investment - I think people want an easy access into Nottingham," he said, adding it will bring people into the town too."

Campaigners say many old rail lines in the area are suitable for carrying trams