Back in 2023, Havering Council (East London including towns such as Romford and Hornchurch) launched what they called a vision for improving infrastructure – this included better transport links and at the time they said that they would like to explore a tram system. Less than two years later and the same Council have admitted the plans haven’t progressed at all because they don’t have the funding available, although they state they hope to revisit them in the future.
The fact that the plan has gone onto the backburner will probably surprise very few people with other larger areas having also reached similar conclusions. Its even more unsurprising as the Council was rumoured to be on the verge of bankruptcy in 2024, only saved by a government loan and agreements for efficiency savings.
An exact route wasn’t ever announced with the so-called vision just calling on 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”. It was planned that there would be a study to see what the best options would be but the Council have now admitted in an article on the BBC News website that it has never taken place due to a lack of money.
A spokeswoman from the Council is quoted: “We have as yet not commissioned the further phases of the study, which would include an assessment of options and developing a strategic outline business case. However, we are expecting some positive developments in the borough which will enable us to fund further work on this through obtaining Section 106 monies [funding from developers as part of planning permission] and other funding.”
It appears that this is just another one of the many proposed schemes which can be added to the ranks of not progressed.
Presumably deemed a matter of priorities? I wonder what ‘interesting’ schemes the council have determined that they do have sufficient funds to promote?