UK tram line contract awarded

A €680 million contract to extend the tram system in Nottingham, UK, has been awarded to a consortium that includes contractors Vinci and Alstrom.

The Tramlink Nottingham consortium also includes local bus and tram operator companies Keolis and Wellglade, which own 12.5% of the contract each, together with financial investor Infravia, which has a 20% stake.

Alstrom said its share of the contract was worth €350 million, including €120 million for maintenance.

Funded jointly by Nottingham City Council and the British Government, the project will see Nottingham's tram system extended by 17.5km when it is completed in 2014.

As part of the 23-year concession contract Tramlink Nottingham will also take over responsibility for the operation of the existing Nottingham Express Transit Line One, which has been open since 2004.

The construction phase, scheduled to start in 2012, will be carried out by Taylor Woodrow, the civil engineering division of VINCI Construction UK.