Light rail campaign group TramForward has called on London’s new mayor to explore opportunities for more tram schemes in the capital.
In particular, the advocacy group is encouraging Sadiq Khan, who was announced as the winner of London’s mayoral election on May 6, to revive proposals for a light rail system linking Camden with Peckham and Brixton, via King’s Cross.
The group says the benefits of additional tram routes are clear and could be built for less than 10 per cent of the cost per mile of Crossrail.
Andrew Braddock, chairman of the Light Rail Transit Association, said: “In particular, there is an urgent need for the new mayor to invest in surface public transport by restricting traffic and developing a tramway network along the most heavily-used bus corridors in central London”.
With London’s population rapidly growing, he added: “It is essential that the busiest bus routes are upgraded so that greater capacity can be offered at an economic cost.
“As dozens of other cities around the world have found, light rail systems bring significant benefits in terms of reduced car dependence, economic regeneration, job creation and environmental improvement.”
Yes I agree. Croydon Tramlink is such a quality service and has so much potential for expansion across south London, which could revolutionise not just transport, traffic and lifestyles there but possibly even urban development.
It’s incredible that nothing has been done in over a decade, must be because of far more expensive projects such as Crossrail getting the funding.
Be good for the Tramlink to be extended to Camden and to Brixton and even to West London and East London. Sadiq Khan could also invest new infrastructure for London’s transportation including the extension of the DLR to Dagenham Dock and Abbey Wood, extension of the Bakerloo Line to Lewisham and Hayes, the London Overground extension to Barking Riverside along with electrification of the Gospel Oak-Barking line.
Plus London Overground could also take over some of the lines including West Ealing-Greenford line with using some of the LO Class 172/0 DMU trains once the new bay platform at West Ealing is completed and is fully opened, proposal for the new Lower Thames Crossing road that will link from M25 with a new junction between Junctions 29 & 30/31 to be numbered as Junction 29a and the M2 motorway and A2 near Gravesend and Rochester in Kent, plans for a 3rd runway to be built at London Heathrow Airport in West London near to Berkshire/Surrey borders and the M25 with a new runway to be built over the M25 motorway.
And of course Crossrail 2 to be built when Crossrail 1 is completed and is in full service in 2019 with future extension to Dartford and Tring via Old Oak Common & WCML.
Last year former Mayor of London Boris Johnson and TfL took over some of the lines in Northeast London and East London with TfL Rail (Elizabeth Line) taking over the Liverpool St-Shenfield line and London Overground taking over the Liverpool St-Chingford, Enfield Town and Cheshunt Lea Valley metro lines and the Romford-Upminster line in East London.
Yes a Croydon – Camden Tramlink line is greatly needed. Running up the A23 via Streatham to Waterloo bridge and then re-using the Kingsway tram tunnel alignment to Euston station. continuing on street, through Somers Town (Phoenix Rd and Brill place) to again access to St Pancras International/ Kings Cross railway stations and then finally continuing up the A5202 to Camden Town centre.
Case argument – Relief of the over congested A23 / Southern and Thameslink south London rail services. Ease over crowding on tens of bus services between Croydon and Camden. Provide a fast and clean link between Kings Cross and Waterloo National rail stations. Ease the central section of the Northern Line between central London and Camden Town and beyond One question WHY has this not been done decades ago
The Kingsway tram tunnel can never be used again. Half of it is now part of the strand underpass tunnel.
About a decade ago there was a solid plan for the “Cross River tram” (CRT) between Waterloo and Euston to relieve the Northern Line but it was “shelved” when Boris Johnston became mayor and the GFC hit.
But this CRT wasn’t going to link to the Croydon system, which has from the outset had expansion plans to Crystal Palace and Tooting (and other destinations) which had been safeguarded yet never realised.