Tramlink extension on ice for at least 10 years
The proposed Tramlink extension to Crystal Palace has been dropped from Transport for London's (TfL) spending plans and it could be at least 10 years before the project surfaces again.
The announcement was made yesterday that while Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and TfL still have a commitment to extending Croydon's tram system there is simply not enough money available for it to be included in TfL's new 10-year business plan.
The original hope had been that the £170 million extension would be up and running by 2013.
Steve O'Connell, the London Assembly member for Croydon and Sutton, said it was disappointing the extension did not appear in the plans but he saw it as his job now to ensure it did not disappear altogether.
He said: "If an opportunity for more funding becomes available I will press for it to be used for Tramlink. I will continue to make myself a nuisance."
Announcing the news yesterday, the mayor said he wanted TfL to continue to work with Croydon Council to carry out a reassessment of transport needs in the area.
The mayor said the results of that reassessment could lead to a new bid to the Government for future funding for Tramlink extensions.
Hints that the extension was in jeopardy surfaced on Wednesday when the mayor announced his Way to Go transport strategy and no mention was made of trams.
This was in direct contrast to what he promised when campaigning to be elected London mayor earlier this year.
When visiting the borough he not only talked up the Crystal Palace extension but also said he wanted to see the tram system extended to Coulsdon, Streatham, Sutton and Richmond.
The mayor's strategy now makes a big play of investing in Crossrail and improving the Underground - neither of which would directly benefit Croydon.
Funding these projects leaves nothing in the coffers for other less expensive projects such as the Crystal Palace extension.
And with the Crystal Palace link on the back burner the much longer term hopes of the other extensions will inevitably fade away.
Mr O'Connell said: "It is a fact the previous mayor did make transport promises that had no funding behind them and TfL is now working up its business plan in that context."
But he did say there was some comfort for Croydon as the plan confirmed money would be available for refurbishing existing trams and improving communications system at stops to reduce vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
Tim Pollard, the council's cabinet member for regeneration, said: "This is obviously disappointing but at the moment we don't know what the direct implications are."
He hopes the loss of the extension will be compensated by other finance for improving Croydon's transport infrastructure.
Cllr Pollard added: "It is our job to continue to bat for Croydon and while the extension may not be in the plan now we will carry on trying to get it put back."
Valerie Shawcross, chair of the London Assembly's transport committee and a former leader of Croydon Council, said the extension was "ready to go" and losing it was a tragedy.
She said: "Croydon deserves an extension to its system and I will continue to press for that."
14 Comments
View all
by Barry, Wallington
Monday, November 10 2008, 2:50PM
“By going back on his pre-election promise to improve transport in the outer boroughs, Boris has brought his honeymoon period as mayor to an abrupt end. The Americans recently elected Barack Obama their next president. His approach to overcoming the problems facing the USA was upbeat - "Yes, we can." By contrast, Boris's attitude to improving life for Londoners seems to be "No, we can't."”
by Dudley Horscroft, Australia
Sunday, November 09 2008, 10:11AM
“I grew up in Croydon, and was sorry that the trams were scrapped. I was pleased when they returned, to the benefit of all.
Perhaps it is now time for Croydon Council to go ahead with the Coulsdon-Streatham extension - without any gold-plating it should be affordable by Croydon on its own, and on any benefit-cost analysis it should show a high return - better than any road project in Croydon. And there is a fair chance that it will be profitable in operation as well.”
by Mr Croydon, Croydon
Friday, November 07 2008, 9:07AM
“Is this actually the fault of Boris? My understanding is that additional funding of up to £3bn was needed to pay for schemes including the tram extension. This had to come from private business or central government. With private businesses struggling at the moment and the government finances in a world of hurt we are suddenly talking about a shortfall that is out of our Mayor's hands.”
by lloyd, addo
Thursday, November 06 2008, 6:43PM
“shame the south is frozen out again.Shame on you Boris> Why not scrap the Olympics 2012 Its difficult traveling south of the River as it is?”
by andy, croydon
Thursday, November 06 2008, 4:07PM
“thats the best news i have heard this year,atleast croydon wont go downhill any faster than it is,better transport systems just make crime spread,BUY A CAR”
by scoffer, pass
Thursday, November 06 2008, 3:45PM
“Poor Boris!! the bubble has burst - and yet the 'south' will still remain overcrowded - you'd think the Government would put a cap on further newcomers coming here to the south from overseas ? Oh well, I suppose honest opinions and joined-up thinking by the public are not listened to anymore.”
by stephen aselford, Selhurst
Thursday, November 06 2008, 3:23PM
“A Great Shame that Boris doesnt Realise that South London is not on the tube andthe extention to Crystal Palace would provide an Interchange for the London Overground for people in the east of Croydon
In January People over 60 will get free travel on TFL Services that is Bus Tram Underground DLR but will have to wait untill 09.39 to use the 26 Stations in Croydon this is Discrimination against many people in South KLondon”
by misterkipling, Croydon
Thursday, November 06 2008, 3:03PM
“Well with all this talk of global warming its nice to know there will be ice in 10 years”
by David, South Croydon
Thursday, November 06 2008, 2:23PM
“A sign of the times. In an economy where far too much money is spent on the benefits system odds are that money will be saved where it is actually most needed - infrastructure. Public transport in this country would be pretty decent if we had a population of 30 million, but unfortunately we don't. As the government funnels money generated by London to the rest of the country the good taxpayers here suffer.”
by SV, Croydon
Thursday, November 06 2008, 2:11PM
“Well, Boris or Steve did not tell us this in the election.
Typical of this Mayor to take Croydon for granted.
Why did Boris complete Kens pledge to take the Tram into public ownership? One of the key reasons that it was, so it could be extended without paying the former private operator to vary the contract or have the situation where a separate operator ran the Crystal Palace extension.”