Amey Consulting leading feasibility study for ‘revolutionary’ electric rapid transit system in Derby

12 Oct 2020

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Amey Consulting is leading a study into the feasibility of the establishment of Derby’s first dedicated mass transit link, having been commissioned by Derby City Council.

The £11.5m high quality bespoke electric Rapid Transit (eRT) service aims to inspire future change across the transport network and revolutionise 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 revitalising the public transport offer in the city, providing new and innovative service and experience, which will include extensive, traffic-free routing.

Amey Consulting will 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 between Derby City Council and 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.

Derby City Council have set out their ambition to 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, Alex Gilbert, Managing Director, Amey Consulting said:“We are delighted to work with Derby City Council on the feasibility of the Electric Rapid Transit (eRT) service. The proposed scheme will not just deliver a cleaner and more efficient transport service, it will also support economic growth across the city and give the people of Derby a transport system to be proud of.

Amey Consulting will bring industry leading, sustainable transport expertise to Derby, having previously designed the award-winning Belfast Rapid Transport System (Glider).”

In delivering the Belfast Rapid Transit system, a £90M sustainable transport system in Northern Ireland, Amey Consulting drove improvements that saw bus journey times reduced by 20% as well as reducing emissions by 90% when compared to previous vehicles on the network.

The study in Derby is expected to be completed by June 2021.

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