FOOTBALL and cricket fans could soon be transported to matches along the River Trent by a ferry under new council plans.
A boat service would run from Queens Drive park-and- ride to Trent Bridge if a bid for Government cash gets the green light.
Nottingham City Council wants up to £10 million towards green transport projects, which would also include electric bikes and more electric buses.
The bid is in its early stages but council officers said the ferries would be similar to those running in the Swedish city of Gothenburg, carrying around 50 passengers a time.
Andy Gibbons, public transport team leader for the authority, added: "We've done a lot with green and low-emissions transport in the city and this would build on that."
If successful, the funding would begin in April 2015.
The new service would run on a two-mile stretch of river and be similar to the Eventlink bus service which takes people to events such as football matches and T20 cricket.
David Thornhill, of Nottingham Campaign for Better Transport, said he felt the idea was "innovative".
He added: "For too long the river has been neglected for both passengers and freight and this is an interesting idea. This kind of innovative thinking is to be applauded."
But some residents felt the money could be better spent elsewhere.
Margaret Freeman, 63, of Kimberley, said: "The roads are bumpy and I saw last week the Government is spending money on it, but why not more and not give money to strange ideas like this ferry?"
Jane Urquhart, Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for planning and transportation, said: "Riverbus and ferry services work in London, Newcastle and Liverpool and as well as providing a low-emissions service for commuters and regular visitors they offer an added attraction for tourists."
NOTTINGHAM already has one of the largest electric bus fleets in Europe, but it is set to do more to go green if a bid for Government cash is successful.
Nottingham City Council is set to bid for part of £35 million to drive forward more green public transport schemes.
When announcing the scheme, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said ideas for schemes could be letting drivers of green cars use bus lanes or park for free.
But the council is devising a scheme to bring more electric buses and bikes to the city, as well as getting a ferry service running along the Trent from Queen's Drive – not so much a park and ride as a park and sail. It would run when events are being held in West Bridgford – such as cricket or football – and replace the Eventlink bus, which officers said took longer and was less environmentally friendly.
Jane Urquhart, portfolio holder for planning and transportation, said it was all part of making the public transport network more environmentally friendly.
She said: "We have award-winning public transport and a strong commitment to the environment.
"A river ferry is just one of a list of transport services and facilities we're looking to include within a wider bid to expand use of low-emission vehicles across the city. Others include more electric buses, electric bike hire and discounted park and ride use for electric cars – all designed to improve air quality in line with national regulations.
"We are also continually bidding for opportunities to improve other areas such as cycling and we should hear whether some of these are successful by the end of July."
The plans for the ferry at Queens Drive have come forward following the opening of a footpath from the park and ride site to the Trent.
An 'Eco Hub' at the site was launched earlier this month with Transport Minister Baroness Kramer and is being developed as a showcase for eco-friendly transport.
As well as bike hire, there is also electric car charging points and ambitions are to develop electric car hire, more electric buses on the park and ride and the new ferry service. Baroness Kramer said: "This (the park and ride site) demonstrates you can often do it (improve public transport) without compromising.
"That's why I think Nottingham is a leader in that it has brought so many elements together and they add up to much more than the elements separately. This has to be the future because transport has to serve people's needs, but it has to protect the environment."
The council will find out if its bid has been successful in the coming months, and the cash would be in place from April 2015.
