Travel Safety

Nottingham has a range of transport options for getting around and home safely, many of which are available late into the night. The best route will obviously depend on where you’re trying to get to, with each having safety features to be aware of.

Walking

It’s always best to plan your route before you set off – maps apps are great but can sometimes send you on slightly shorter routes through scary alleyways or cut-throughs, so we recommend sticking to main roads and well-lit routes.

The city council’s tool for reporting broken street-lights can also be used to see where all the street-lights are and plan a well-lit route:

Street Light Map

On campus there is 24/7 security which you can call on the number on the back of your student card. The University of Nottingham also has the SafeZone App which can be used to alert Security if you feel unsafe, see someone in trouble or require first aid. At Brackenhurst, City and Clifton campuses there are also designated Emergency Security Points which can contact security directly, and pivot CCTV cameras to your location in the event of an emergency. Off campus look out for the Emergency Help Points such as those at each end of Beeston High Street or on the corner where Ilkeston Road meets St. Peters Street which allow you to place a call directly to the CCTV control room.

Taxis

All taxis must have a license in order to operate, which enforces certain levels of safety, including vehicle maintenance, safety features and means the driver and vehicle can be traced back. Look out for the yellow sign on the side or number plate of the taxi, as well as the taxi driver’s ID which should be on display in the vehicle. You can use their number plate or registration number to report any issues to the council, including if any cab other than “Hackney Carriages” (black cabs with the City Council’s coat of arms on the side) attempts to take you when you haven’t pre-booked through an app or over the phone. We recommend having at least one taxi app, such as the Nottingham Cars app, and have a phone number saved in case your internet isn’t working.

Emergency Taxi Scheme

If you find yourself on a night out with no money to get home, UoNNTU students can call DG Cars on 0115 9 500 500Nottingham Cars on 01159 700 700 and request the “Emergency Taxi Scheme”, and the SU will cover the cost of your fare which you will need to repay to the SU later, making sure you can get home safe even if you’ve lost your wallet or phone.

Trams

Every tram and tram stop is covered by CCTV and has red Help Points which will alert the control room and put you in contact. Having the name of the stop or number of the tram is helpful for the control room – or 999 – to identify where you are. You can also contact customer service via WhatsApp on 0115 824 6060, although in an emergency always ring 999 – Nottinghamshire or British Transport Police can respond and also operate on the tram. Trams typically operate until midnight, with a handful of later services as Trams return to the depot in Shipstone Street.

Busses

Nottingham has one of the most extensive bus networks in the country, with multiple award winning operators including NCTX and trentbarton.

Monday to Saturday busses run throughout the say and into the night to offer a later service home or into town:

Direct to campus, the N4 to Clifton runs until 3:15 am and the N26 to Brackenhurst operates a 1 am service from the City Centre. The N34 to Beeston (via University Park) also operates until 3:40 am to get students home safely.

trentbarton also operate some services hourly throughout the night, including on routes through Lenton and West Bridgeford, as well as across the wider Greater Nottingham area (including all the way to Derby).

All busses are covered by CCTV and bus drivers regularly receive training on keeping passengers safe.