Super sleeper supply! For Nottingham Express Transit phase 2

Stanton Bonna’s Twin Block Sleepers were originally supplied for Nottingham Express Transit (NET) 1, which involved the Nottingham light railway link from the city out to Hucknall.

Following the successful use of Stanton Bonna Twin Block Sleepers on NET 1, they are now being supplied for the second stage, called NET 2, which includes two new lines from the city, to Clifton and to Chilwell.

The order was placed by Alstom, as part of the Taylor Woodrow Alstom JV who were awarded the contract to design and build the new tram lines for Nottingham.

The original contract included 18,000 lightweight VAX U21 Twin Block sleepers with Pandrol ‘e’ clip fastenings and an innovative derailment containment system. The sleepers are used for ballasted track and slab track sections at tram stops and tight radius bends. Stanton Bonna also supplied concrete drainage pipes and manholes.

For NET 2 we are currently supplying a further 15,000 Twin Block Sleepers.

Stanton Bonna Twin Block Sleeper were chosen for NET 1 & 2 (and other light rail schemes) as they are a proven and cost effective sleeper solution that is easy to handle and install.

The £220 million Nottingham Express Transit phase one (NET 1) runs from Hucknall, a former mining community, into the city centre, terminating at Nottingham railway station. There is also a spur to Pheonix Park, the park and ride site off Junction 26 of the M1.

In 2006 the Government announced a funding package which it agreed with Nottingham City Council and Nottingham County Council to enable £400million investment in NET 2.

The latest stage includes a line from Nottingham City to the QMC, Beeston and on to Toton Lane near Chilwell. The other extension will go from the city through the Meadows, Southside (one of three major regeneration zones) to Clifton.

It is estimated that Nottingham Express Transit (NET) will cut two million car journeys annually from Nottingham’s roads. The plan was to operate 15 modern trams 364 days of the year at six-minute intervals at peak times in the city centre.

Modern light railways are increasingly seen not only as a major part of the solution to congested roads and environmental pollution, but also key to the regeneration of the city and surrounding areas.

Stanton Bonna have supplied, and continue to supply, other light rail schemes including Sheffield, Manchester, and Birmingham. Our products are made to European Standard EN 13230 Parts 1 and 3 for all applications from light rail to high-speed track. Stanton Bonna have also supplied sleepers for the high speed (HS1) Channel Tunnel Rail Link between St Pancras Station in London and the Channel Tunnel Terminal in Kent.