(P.173) Boris puts train extension back on the map - Croydon Advertiser, 24 June 2011 p2
A NEW feasibility study into extending trams to Crystal Palace has been launched by Transport for London But Mayor of London Boris Johnson has made it clear there is no money available to actually build anything yet. Mr Johnson announced in March that the extension, which he abandoned shortly after he came to power in 2008, was back on. |
Talking Trams: Steve O'Connell and Boris Johnson |
In answer to a question asked at the London Assembly last week by Croydon and Sutton member Steve O'Connell, the mayor said:
"TtL is reviewing the feasibility of the Tramlink extension to Crystal Palace, as well as how this could form part of a wider package of potential extensions to areas such as Bromley and Sutton."
He told Mr O'Connell a new study was needed - despite work done when Labour's Ken Livingstone was mayor - because of transport changes, including the arrival of London overground to Crystal Palace and the increase in tram frequencies on other parts of the network.
The feasibility study is expected to be completed by the middle of next year when, the mayor said, it would be decided whether an application for powers to build an extension would be made.
But he added: "There is currently . no funding for any extensions to the network and this funding would have to be secured before a project could proceed."
Mr O'Connell said he believed the mayor's announcement was a step forward. He added: "I think the extension is back on the map."
21/10/10 Last Updated 21/10/10
