Tramways: Which towns and cities would benefit most?

[edwin_m]

Derby
linking with NET, which already gets to Basford & Bulwell, essentially something based on the old Derbyshire and Staffordshire Extension Railway.

The Phoenix Park branch of NET already gets very close to the GN route - I think the Midland and GN had sidings into opposite sides of the colliery where Phoenix Park now is. There has been talk of extending it to Kimberley using part of this formation, notably the bridge under the M1 which must have been built quite shortly before closure but was included in the recent widening. However the current plan seems to be to extend via Toton HS2 station to Derby and/or East Midlands Airport. However I think that's the wrong plan as there is a longish rural section between the M1 and Derby and at 45mph maximum the tram will take longer than an express bus on the A52 or a train shuttle.