Local people say no to Tram (Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats)

Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats <info@ealinglibdems.org.uk>

Local people say no to Tram

March 1, 2005 3:15 PM

Artist's impression of the proposed tram

Would TfL's glossy view of the tram match reality?

Today Transport for London (TfL) finally published the first details of the results from their tram consultation, and they conclusively demonstrate that local people have decisively said no to the tram.

The consultation results show that across the route as a whole 59% of people don't support the proposal, with less than a third (30%) supporting it. No doubt here in Ealing opposition is even stronger - but TfL are keeping Borough-by-Borough figures under wraps.

Local Lib Dem Councillor Jon Ball commented, "Now is the time for Ken Livingstone to scrap his tram plan and remove the fear of increased traffic on residential streets from the people I represent in Ealing Common ward and residents of the other affected areas along the route. He should close down the Tram project saving £11 million of public money and Ealing Council should also scrap its Tram-related work saving half a million pounds from our Council Tax."

In addition to the overall percentages, TfL have released the following comments from the consultation exercise about specific problems along the route:

More people commented about Ealing Broadway than anywhere else, with many concerned that TfL's proposals would destroy Haven Green.

At Acton, many people were against the proposed traffic diversion, believing it would increase congestion and that the side roads would not support additional traffic.

In West Ealing and at the Lido Junction, most concern was expressed about side roads being too narrow to support additional traffic.

At Iron Bridge, more people favoured a tram tunnel under the railway line than a road tunnel.

The most common comment about proposals at Hanwell Broadway was the need to retain the right-turn into Church Road.

Hanwell Bridge was the other location most commented upon, with people concerned that this could become a bottleneck for traffic if there were a tram.