Tram roadworks 'Street Party'

Businesses on a road in Nottingham which is being closed for a year to build new tram lines, have held a street party to show they are staying open.

The traders in Beeston opposed the closure at first, but now hope the new trams will boost business in the future. Deborah Hadfield reports.

Businesses on a road in Nottingham which is being closed for a year to build new tram lines, have held a street party to show they are staying open.

Although business owners opposed the closure at first they hope the party will send a strong message to the public that they are open for business for the next year even though the road is not open to cars.

Independent shops along Chilwell Road in Beeston in Nottingham are today holding a street party ahead of the road being closed for 12 months because of work to extend the city's tram network.

The road closure for the tramworks was initially met with outrage.

But now businesses say they are prepared to put up with the year long disruption, as they hope to benefit when the Nottingham Express Transit line 2 to Chilwell is complete.

Traders and residents in Beeston are throwing a street party today.

It's in a bid to showcase the independent shops along a road that is closing for a year.

The closure is to allow major tram works to be completed as part of the Nottingham Tram network expansion.

Some business owners fear they could be forced to shut their doors because the road closure would decrease footfall. Today they hope to promote the area.

The event, between 11am and 4pm, will include street entertainment, face-painting and an outdoor stage for bands.

A Nottinghamshire MP has written to the Transport Secretary asking him to help shopkeepers worried that their trade could be hit by work to build new tramlines.

Businesses in Beeston are furious that the contractors are planning to close off a main road for up to a year.

Their local MP Anna Soubry says it could be devastating and drive some traders out of business. Our correspondent Peter Bearne reports.

Anna Soubry, the MP Broxtowe, has written to the Transport Secretary voicing her concerns about the work, Nottingham tram provider, NET, is doing in Beeston.

She says that closing both sides of the carriageway for 12 months, to complete work on the next phase of the Tram network, is really serious for local businesses and customers.

Broxtowe MP, Anna Soubry has written to the Transport Secretary, Patrick McLoughlin following NET’s announcement that two sections of one of Beeston’s shopping areas will be closed to traffic for a total of twelve months.