Essential work to replace tram track between the Royal Centre and Old Market Square tram stops is to finish almost a week ahead of schedule.

The replacement work was due to be completed next Sunday (July 19) but the network will now be ready to reopen on Tuesday (July 14).

Contractors VolkerRail have worked closely with the City Council’s highways team to minimise the impact of the works while observing Government rules around Covid-19. Adjustments were made to the works programme through daily reviews and advice from other UK sites working under Covid-19 restrictions, bringing completion forward by six days.

A Sunday tram service will resume next Tuesday. Passengers are reminded that face coverings must be worn on public transport and distance must be maintained.

Track replacement is a standard part of tram network maintenance, with services running on the first line of the network since March 2004.

Mike Mabey, NET Head of Operations, said: “We’re really pleased to be able to get tram services running on the whole network again nearly a week ahead of schedule. Carrying this work out while restrictions were in place has helped to minimise disruption, and we were able to make adjustments and refinements through daily reviews to bring completion forward, while still observing rules for worksites operating under Covid-19 restrictions.

“We have worked very closely with our contractors VolkerRail and Nottingham City Council’s highways team to minimise the impact of Covid-19 restrictions. Our engineers have worked extremely hard, day and night, to deliver another successful track replacement programme. The sunny spells last month also gave us the best chance to move the works forward.”

“This work was vital maintenance for a network that’s been operating for 16 years, so we can continue to operate safely, reliably and offer our passengers a comfortable journey. We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while the work was carried out.”