It is looking increasingly likely that the Cross River Tram project will have to be axed as part of a major transport project review by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, allegedly after previous incumbent Ken Livingstone’s wasted large amounts of money on unfunded projects including the West London Tram and also an unsustainable fares policy. Indeed it is estimated that £80 million was removed from funds available for TfL this year because of Mr Livingstone’s “largesse”.
Mr Johnson was asked at a meeting of the Budget and Performance Committee by Brian Coleman (a London Assembly member) about the level of money being spent by TfL on forthcoming transport projects. He replied: “I am not intending to spend a lot more money on the Cross River Tram."
This bombshell came a few days before the London Assembly Transport Committee held a seminar to consider the case and prospects for the Cross River Tram. Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat transport spokesman at the London Assembly and Deputy Chair of the Transport Committee was not pleased at Mr Johnson’s comments stating: “Given how much work and money has already gone into this and given his transport strategy is still under review, it’s staggering the Mayor would say this when he’s not fully reviewed the case. The Transport committee will next week be reviewing the case and how the tram can be funded and will put this to the Mayor as a matter of urgency.”
She added: “The new Mayor said he would listen to Londoners and that means listening to residents and businesses who are in favour of the tram, rather than just a Tory maverick who is against it. Over a thousand people have signed a petition supporting the tram. What the Mayor has failed to grasp is the tram is a solution which will not improve public transport in poorly served parts of south London but will also ease over-crowding on the northern line, will help inward business investment in the city and will provide an environmental and fast north-south route. There is a huge cost to London of not going ahead with the cross river tram. I hope the Mayor will genuinely listen to the case for the tram and review his position urgently”
The last few weeks have seen a lot of attention from the Liberal Democrats on the Cross River Tram, as they attempt to save it from what they see as an unjustified axing. Ms Pidgeon also made a fact finding visit to Croydon Tramlink, along with other members of the Transport Committee, to garner information to help make the Cross River Tram successful.
She commented: “We can learn a lot from the Croydon tram experience and this will ensure the Cross River Tram is even more successful. The tram is rapid, reliable and green. We need to be really imaginative in developing new ways of funding the Cross River Tram project and getting the Mayor and the Government signed up to it. The tram is vital to regenerating Peckham and Brixton, linking Southwark and Lambeth to the City, Westminster and Camden. Business has benefited so much in Croydon that developers paid for a new tram stop. The visit today gave us confidence that what has worked so well for Croydon can work for Southwark and Lambeth.”
No final decision has yet been publically announced as to whether the Cross River Tram will go-ahead but with the severe pressure on Transport for London finances (they are already committed to several other proposals including DLR extensions and Crossrail) it is looking increasingly unlikely it will go-ahead at the current time. The pressure was already on under Mr Livingstone when plans were revealed to build it in stages.
Source: London Assembly & Transport for London