Nottingham Forest’s City Ground expansion handed potential transport funding boost

Nottingham Forest's plans to expand the City Ground could receive a boost from regional transport investment, with measures linked to the stadium redevelopment identified as a potential funding opportunity through the East Midlands' £2 billion transport programme.

A report to the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) highlights sustainable transport conditions attached to the expansion and suggests that developing solutions could support both the stadium project and wider regeneration around the Trent Sports District. 

However, no additional money has been approved specifically for the City Ground, and no individual transport scheme has been confirmed.

The issue is due to be considered by EMCCA's Transport and Digital Connectivity Committee on Thursday, October 29, when members are being asked to endorse submission of the Local Transport Delivery Plan to the Department for Transport by October 31.

City Ground expansion could unlock wider transport improvements

The report states: “The outcome of the recent planning application for expansion of the City Ground identified sustainable transport conditions that would need to be met.”

Officers believe work on those requirements could benefit the stadium expansion while creating opportunities for growth across the wider Trent Sports District, which brings together sporting venues and wider regeneration ambitions around Nottingham.

Rushcliffe Borough Council approved key elements of Forest's redevelopment plans in September, including the replacement of the Peter Taylor Stand and work on the Trent End. 

Outline permission was also granted for a future redevelopment of the Brian Clough Stand, with the overall proposals potentially increasing the stadium's capacity to around 52,500. 

The transport requirements are particularly significant because the stadium sits beside the River Trent in a busy area of West Bridgford. 

Nevertheless, the latest report does not specify whether any potential funding would support roads, public transport, pedestrian routes or cycling infrastructure, nor does it give a delivery timetable.

£2bn regional transport programme still being developed

EMCCA's existing three-year transport programme, covering 2026-27 to 2028-29, is worth approximately £750m. The report identifies £9m in capital funding left unallocated following the first phase of programme development.

It also discusses “over-programming”, whereby authorities prepare more potential projects than their confirmed funding would ordinarily cover. 

The approach could allow between £111m and £149m of additional capital schemes to be identified across the first three years, but this is not a new funding award or a sum reserved for Forest.

A further £1.252bn is available for the period from 2029-30 to 2031-32, with detailed projects still being developed. Priorities include public transport, walking and cycling connections, road maintenance, safety and accessibility.

FGG Says: Transport planning will be crucial to Forest's expansion

The potential funding opportunity underlines that expanding the City Ground involves more than adding seats. Supporting larger crowds will require transport arrangements that work for supporters and the surrounding community.

However, Forest fans should not interpret the report as confirmation of new transport funding. The committee's consideration of the delivery plan is a step in regional planning, not approval of a City Ground project. Any allocation would require further assessment and separate decisions before improvements could be delivered.