Croydon trams are London's greenest form of transport
By Ian Austen
ian.austen@essnmedia.co.uk
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GREEN IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE: One of Croydon's trams which have been hailed for how environmentally friendly they are
Travelling on Croydon trams is the greenest form of transport in the capital, London mayor Boris Johnson has been told.
The mayor, who is urging an increase in the use of electric cars to reduce pollution, was told of Tramlink's green credentials by Valerie Shawcross.
Ms Shawcross, a former leader of Croydon Council, was attempting to persuade the Mayor to reinstate the axed extension to Crystal Palace into his latest transport strategy.
Mr Johnson pulled the plug on the scheme towards the end of last year, claiming there was no money available in the Transport for London (TfL) budget.
The extension, it is said, would cost between £62 million and £170 million.
But Ms Shawcross, a Labour London Assembly member, claimed at Mayor's question time at London's City Hall last Thursday that the environmental benefits of Tramlink meant the extension should be reinstated.
Her figures, largely drawn from TfL's own 2008 environment report show trams emit 40 grams of polluting CO2 per passenger kilometre.
Family cars driving in London emit 176 grams, buses 83, the Underground 77.5, the Docklands Light Railway 75 and overground rail services 48.
Ms Shawcross told the Advertiser her hybrid car produced 104 grams and even Mr Johnson's favoured all-electric cars went as high as 60 grams as they drew power from the National Grid, which had to be included in any calculations.
Challenging the mayor, in light of the figures, Ms Shawcross said: "The mode of transport giving out the least CO2 is Croydon Tramlink by a very long way.
"Will you now reinstate the extension to Crystal Palace into the next stage of the transport strategy?"
Mr Johnson said he was keen to drive forward the Tramlink extension but put the failure to be able to proceed on a lack of money from the Government.
While he said he was committed to Tramlink he would not commit himself to spending "millions and millions of pounds of taxpayers' money" on something the Government had no intention of supporting financially.
He told Ms Shawcross: "Tell your political masters in Whitehall to give us the money to build it."
When asked by Ms Shawcross if he would make a bid to any future Conservative government for money for the extension, the Mayor replied: "Of course I will."
2 Comments
by Robin Hunter, croydon
Monday, June 01 2009, 5:32PM
“I agree with Valerie Shawcross' views on the need for the Crystal Palace extension. Not only is it a lost chance for a "green" form of transport, but it is an amenity denied to a potentialy large number of passengers, many of whom will travel in their cars.
Boris in blaming the Govt. is playing a dangerous game, because by the time the next mayoral election comes round, voters will only remember a broken promise given by him.”
by auto, Croydon
Saturday, May 30 2009, 4:57PM
“For CO2, it looks like the trams have it. Note that the figures given are averages, and - for the trams - might depend on running on dedicated tramways, rather than through, sometimes congested, streets.
Are the trams greener - for CO2 - than cycling? Cycle-Bag will get up tight if he trams are greener.
But not everyone wants to cycle. I did as a kid, but no more; I might be a bit more svelte if I did, mind!
Now, CO2 emissions are important, but are not everything.
Whilst I favour trams - in the right places - they do need quite a bit of infrastructure, and seem to be involved in proportionally more traffic accidents, when sharing the road - as against dedicated tramways.
Plus, some of them are ugly. Croydon's aren't too bad, I think, anyway!
And although quieter than many a motorbike, they do have a swishing noise, which may be annoying for those living on the route, close to the tracks.
And the crucial detail.
A cost of "between £62 million and £170 million"? Not precise - 'Your meal will be between £62 and £170, guys', doesn't inspire confidence.
And we all know it's likely to be nearer the higher figure - if not over that sum.
£170,000,000 is over £500 for every man, woman and child in Croydon. And this buys an extension to Crystal Palace.
Not to Purley Cross, as well, note.
And we will have to pay that £170,000,000, we tax payers.
Ms Shawcross seems to think we taxpayers live sitting on piles of golden coins, it appears!
She hasn't changed.
Nu-Lab = Huge Debts.
A pity, too, because trams are quite good - I've used them in Blackpool, Nottingham, Devon, and abroad, and I like them.
But not at any cost!”