Study for revolutionary £11.5m electric rapid transit gets underway

Published: 1 October 2020

A study into the feasibility of the establishment of Derby’s first dedicated mass transit link has been commissioned by Derby City Council.

The high quality bespoke electric Rapid Transit (eRT) service aims to inspire future change across the transport network and revolutionize the vision for public transport in Derby.  The proposed route will run directly through the heart of the city centre, linking key intra-city destinations and public areas, and will be a key investment in revitalizing the public transport offer in the city, providing new and innovative service and experience, which will include extensive, traffic-free routing.

Amey Consulting, one of the UK’s leading engineering consultancies, with a strong reputation for asset management and practical, deliverable infrastructure designs, has been commissioned to review the previous feasibility design and identify the most suitable route that will connect:

• The Cathedral Quarter
• Joseph Wright College
• The main high street and shopping centre
• Bus station and train station
• Derby College Roundhouse
• Pride Park, Derby Arena and Derby County Football Club

The £11.5m scheme, forms part of the successful joint submission with Nottingham City Council to the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund, which is designed to improve connections between major employment sites and promote active travel and public transport.

The Council set out real ambition in their bid, demonstrating the desire to really transform transport across the city, and radically improve the connections between where people live and work.

Councillor Matthew Holmes, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transportation said:

The economic benefits will be huge for our city, as this level of investment offers the chance to implement some really exciting changes, bringing mass transit to the city, and creative public transport innovations and transport experiences.  The eRT will radically improve the connections between where people live, work and study, and provide better access to employment and training, whilst delivering significant reductions in emissions and contribute to the city’s recovery strategy to reboot Derby’s economy after the Covid-19 crisis.

Speaking on the announcement, Andrew Yeoman, Associate Director, Amey Consulting said:

We are delighted to be working with Derby City Council at this feasibility stage for the proposed Electric Rapid Transit service. Amey Consulting has industry leading expertise in developing sustainable transport systems, including having previously designed the award-winning Belfast Rapid Transport System. We look forward to developing the eRT scheme for the people of Derby and providing them with a cleaner, more efficient transport system that will ultimately support economic growth across the city.

The study is expected to be completed by June 2021.

Business, Community, Transport