By Ian Austen

ian.austen@essnmedia.co.uk

Prospects of a north/south extension to Tramlink are back on the agenda.

Plans to one day link Croydon town centre with Purley, and then possibly Coulsdon, were revealed in the final draft of the Mayor of London's transport strategy, which was released this week.

Croydon's London Assembly member Steve O'Connell has expressed his delight at the news, even though he admits it could be 20 years before the idea becomes reality.

But opposition politicians say he is "living in a dream world" if he thinks anything will happen while Boris Johnson is mayor.

The strategy makes reference to the success of Tramlink and points out that £54 million is committed to making improvements to the existing system, including upgrading track and providing more capacity.

It then, tantalisingly, adds: "Consideration will be given to further extensions with a strong focus on a potential north/south axis in order to accommodate Croydon's future growth needs."

This has got Mr O'Connell, who is also Croydon Council's regeneration chief, "very excited".

He said: "A tram extension would be an enormous benefit to the regeneration of Purley and Coulsdon."

Mr O'Connell believes a link between Croydon and Purley would happen before any consideration was given to extending the line to Coulsdon.

He added: "I have heard figures which suggest this could be done for £180 million."

What is not clear is what route a Purley extension would take. Linking up in Waddon and travelling down the A23 Purley Way or using the Brighton Road from the town centre appear to be the likely options.

No mention of the existing plans to extend Tramlink to Crystal Palace is contained in the 10-year strategy.

But Mr O'Connell believes any extension to Purley would be in addition to the Crystal Palace link.

The Crystal Palace extension was dropped from earlier drafts of the strategy, with the mayor claiming there was no money available.

And despite lobbying from the council, businesses and residents, it has not been reinstated in the final draft meaning it will be at least 10 years before it is considered again.

It is this that has prompted cries of derision from Labour councillor Gerry Ryan, who has been heading a campaign for the reinstatement of the Crystal Palace extension.

He said: "I would love to see an extension to Purley but Cllr O'Connell is living in a dream world.

"If the mayor can't agree to getting a link up to Crystal Palace, the truth is nothing is going to happen."

It has been suggested that the Crystal Palace extension could be completed for as little as £60 million.

Tarsem Flora, chairman of Purley and Woodcote Residents' Association, personally wants a north/south extension but says residents generally are split on the idea.

He explained: "Many people think it is just not practical to use the Brighton Road as it is too narrow and they wonder how trams could cope alongside the existing traffic."

He accepts, though, that using Purley Way, which is much wider, may be a realistic option.