Lib Dems Push Mayor to Reconsider Sutton London Trams Extension

The Liberal Democrats have pushed the Labour Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to reconsider his decision to drop plans to extend the London Trams network to Sutton should more funding become available.

In September this year, Sadiq Khan binned plans to extend the London Trams network from Sutton to Colliers Wood, which would have connected Sutton both to the wider London Trams network and the Northern Line. Khan blamed the decision on the cost of Covid-19 and the Conservative Government’s stern terms of the post-lockdown financial bail-out for the capital’s transport system.

However, in response to questioning by Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon this month, Khan has stated that he would be willing to reconsider the scheme should funding become available, but it was his view that the business case for the scheme would also need to improve.

The inflationary crisis’ impact on the cost of building large infrastructure was also another factor cited by TfL.

However, the Liberal Democrats have stated that although it recognises the problems faced by TfL, the tram extension should still be a priority for the Mayor, especially in light of his expansion of ULEZ to outer London, including Sutton.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member and Transport Spokesperson Caroline Pidgeon AM said:

“While I’m pleased to see the Mayor is willing to revisit the extension of London Trams to Sutton should more funding become available, the current situation isn’t good enough.

“Residents in Sutton have been waiting over 20 years for this project to get off the ground. With Labour having expanded ULEZ to outer London, it is even more vital now that Sutton is connected to the wider tube and tram network in London.

“The tram would have unlocked access to jobs, housing and attracted new business and investment into the borough. The Liberal Democrats will continue to push the Mayor to ensure Sutton gets the access to the public transport it deserves.

Adding his comments, Cllr Barry Lewis, the Liberal Democrat Environment and Sustainable Transport lead on Sutton Council said:

“The Mayor is not being fair. The business case for bringing the tram to Sutton has been unequivocally proven. Ten years ago, we showed it would generate over 10,000 additional jobs and over £500 million of GVA.

“That’s 10 years of missed opportunity. Both Conservative and Labour London Mayors have failed Outer London and Sutton and this one is no better.”