Nottinghamshire has registered its warmest overnight temperature on record, reaching 21.3C during the recent heatwave
Pressure is mounting on officials to improve cooling systems on Nottingham’s tram fleet as the region experiences its third consecutive heatwave of the summer.
The Met Office issued heat advisories in late June, with temperatures climbing well above 30C by the month’s conclusion.
The extreme conditions led to Nottinghamshire documenting its highest overnight temperature ever documented, with the 21.3C reading taken during the night between June 23 and June 24, exceeding the prior benchmark of 20.8C set at Sutton Bonington in July 2016.
Throughout July, temperatures have ranged between the high twenties and low thirties, with forecasts suggesting this pattern will persist for several more days.
The Nottingham Express Transit network is currently operated by Keolis and its subsidiary Nottingham Trams Limited as part of the Tramlink consortium arrangement.
Even prior to this summer’s heat events, Nottingham Trams Limited acknowledged that the fleet had encountered some reliability issues with tram air conditioning units.
During a July 14 session examining the network’s performance, members of the tram advisory committee urged improvements to the cooling systems.
A network representative stated that all trams are equipped with air conditioning, though maintaining comfortable temperatures proves challenging due to frequent door openings at stops.
According to a network spokesperson, Derby-based Alstom, the manufacturer of the city’s Citadis vehicles, has been examining its inventory of air conditioning components and keeping more than they would normally have in their inventory to address any defects.
However, the spokesperson acknowledged that the trams’ operational design and functionality sometimes prevent adequate cooling during extreme temperatures.
Cllr Devontay Okure expressed concern that increasingly regular heat events present serious challenges and could cause further problems for the tram system going forward.
He noted that many shopping centres across the city experienced breakdowns of refrigeration units, with numerous facilities becoming inoperable during the hot spell.
His recommendation was to avoid situations where passengers board trams only to endure prolonged periods without climate control.
The proposal involves developing a comprehensive costed proposal for 2027 to modernise existing cooling infrastructure, including a proposed implementation timeline.
Network representatives indicated that financial resources would be necessary for such upgrades, with Cllr Okure proposing that any remaining revenue be allocated towards these improvements to prevent future losses from reduced ridership during hot periods.
Lorraine Salt-Pulford, representing the Nottingham City Disability Involvement Group, noted that during a journey to the Queen’s Medical Centre, conditions were pleasantly cool, yet upon her return journey the temperature was uncomfortably high.
She emphasised that for elderly and vulnerable individuals, such conditions present genuine health risks.
Cllr Andy Brown (Con), vice chair of the advisory committee, stated that delaying action would create difficulties for the following year.
He expressed that the committee’s role should involve recommending that officials begin examining solutions and present findings or recommendations.