Havering Council – in East London comprising areas including Romford and Hornchurch – launched a vision for improving infrastructure in the borough and Thames Corridor earlier this year at an event held at the Palace of Westminster. This vision will include development of business in the area as well as improving transport links, including the potential for a tram system.
Yes, we may have been here before in various areas across the UK and eventually nothing transpires but a new study is to be undertaken which will look to see if trams could connect the north of the borough to the south.
The vision suggests “creating a North/South tram, light rail or other form of transport connecting Harold Wood via Romford, and Upminster to Rainham Beam Park C2C. This could further connect to DLR and the proposed Essex Kent Tram link”. As you’ll see whilst tram and light rail is mentioned the words “other form of transport” are also uttered – and that could mean that the study results in plans for a bus link.
The proposed route could see trams running from Harold Wood to Romford and Upminster. There could be links to DLR lines and also the proposed KenEx Tram due to link Kent and Essex.
Cllr Roy Morgan, Leader of Havering Council, said: “Whatever the outcome, a rapid north/south connection would bring prosperity and growth to the borough and improve the lives of Havering’s residents. We will announce the next steps once the study is finished.”
The idea that Havering will end up getting a tram is as likely as all the other recent tram proposals: zero. The most likely thing is a bus but it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s an e-scooter.
They always call it a vision, but “pipedream” or “hot air” would be more appropriate for all these schemes. Talk is cheap. Action costs money, and so nothing happens, as usual.