TramForward welcomes progress on trams to Sutton

TramForward welcomes the response to the consultation on a new transport link to Sutton which Transport for London (TfL) has just published.

TramForward was particularly gratified that the response to the choice of transport mode in the consultation was overwhelmingly for a tram rather than bus rapid transit and TfL has confirmed this is their preferred choice.

The consultation offered three possible routes connecting Sutton with Wimbledon, South Wimbledon or Colliers Wood, all offering interchange with the existing Croydon-Wimbledon Tramlink route. TfL has selected the Colliers Wood route as its preferred option as having the greatest transport benefits; being most effective option at regenerating the areas served and supporting new homes; and having fewer delivery challenges compared to the other routes.

TramForward has been campaigning for this extension to the London Tramlink system for a long time. Trams have a proven track record for achieving substantial modal shift from cars to public transport, thus reducing both carbon and pollution, as well as being themselves free of both tailpipe emissions and the particulate pollution caused by rubber tyre and road surface wear.

So far the scheme is only partially funded but TfL are looking to get full funding in place in order to begin the three-year construction period in 2023.

Paul Rowen, Chair of the Light Rail Transit Association, said: “This is great news for the people of Sutton and Merton and something for which they have been waiting a long time. It is to be hoped that TfL will do their utmost to close the funding gap allowing the scheme to go forward within the proposed timescale.”