|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Save Ealing's Streets USEFUL INFORMATION |
|
|
|
On this page:
|
|
|
|
26 January 2006 |
|
|
The full Hillingdon Council will meet to decide whether or not to object to the West London Tram. In December 2005, the Cabinet voted to object to the West London Tram. If the Council agrees to object, they would join the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham as opposed to the scheme, leaving Ealing the only one of the three boroughs on the route in favour. Voting to object is a significant step. It brings with it the commitment to spend substantial sums of money at the public enquiry which would take place if Transport for London presses ahead with its proposed scheme for the West London Tram. Since Hillingdon's decision will have a crucial impact on Ealing, Save Ealing's Streets has written to Councillor Carey, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Hillingdon, outlining the reasons why we oppose the Tram and inviting him to support his Ealing colleagues. Read the letter: Letter to Councillor Carey, leader of Hillingdon Liberal Democrats. Hillingdon Borough Council website contains detailed information on the scheme, including papers presented to Council: Hillingdon Council. |
|
|
OUTCOME: Hillingdon Council voted to OBJECT to the West London Tram. Council officers will no longer work with Transport for London on the project. Read more. |
|
|
|
January 2006 |
|
London TravelWatch (formerly London Transport Users Committee) will present its views on the West London Tram. Following a discussion in Ealing Town Hall on 6 December 2005, LTW has sent a list of questions it considers unanswered before deciding whether or not to support the scheme. Website: London TravelWatch. |
|
|
OUTCOME: London TravelWatch continues to support the West London Tram project in principle. However, a list of searching questions has been sent to Transport for London as London TravelWatch demands clarification. Read more. |
|
|
|
4 May 2006 |
|
Local elections. This is the last chance for residents of the three boroughs on the route to say at the ballot box what they think of the West London Tram scheme. Make sure you ask your Councillor to state his position on the scheme publicly. There are uncertainties and variations by borough, but in Ealing the situation is clear: the Labour group has voted to make the Council a joint promoter of the West London Tram scheme with Transport for London. The Conservative and Liberal Democrat groups are opposed to the scheme. For your councillors' contact details, follow these links: Hammersmith & Fulham Councillors Note: If you do not know who your councillor is (or your MP, MEP or GLA member), find out from this website: |
|
|
OUTCOME: Ealing voted NO TRAM. A dramatic swing led to the Labour party losing control of Ealing Council to the Conservatives. A fortnight after the elections, the new Council unanimously supported a motion with three parts: to remove support for the proposed West London Tram scheme; to withdraw from being a joint promoter of the scheme (with Transport for London); and to mandate Council officers to draw up the case for active opposition to the tram scheme. Ealing is firmly opposed to the tram. The two other councils on the route - Hillingdon and Hammersmith & Fulham - are also opposed to the tram. West London has spoken. |
|
|
|
Late spring 2006 |
|
Report to Transport for London Board. TfL Board to consider business case for West London Tram and decide whether to proceed with application for Transport and Works Order. |
|
|
|
Summer 2006 |
|
Transport for London board to decide whether to proceed with Transport and Works Order. |
|
|
Late summer 2006 |
|
Application for Transport and Works Order. Application to be deposited with Secretary of State for Transport. |
|
|
|
Autumn 2006 |
|
Objection period. There is a period of six weeks after the Transport and Works Order is deposited for objections to be filed. Ealing Council to consider second resolution for West London Tram (part of Transport and Works Order procedure). |
|
|
|
Spring 2007 |
|
Public Enquiry. Timing will depend on Secretary of State's decision. |
|
|
|
Winter 2008 |
|
Award of powers. Powers granted to construct the West London Tram. Timing will depend on Secretary of State's decision. Procurement period continues to 2009. |
|
|
|
2009 |
|
Commencement of construction. Construction is set to start - and to continue until 2013. |
|
|
|
2013 |
|
Opening of West London Tram. First trams due to enter operation. |
|
 |
|
|
|
One major objection to the West London Tram scheme is that it will provide little additional transport capacity for the large amount of money it would cost. The tram would substitute for existing bus services (but lose their flexibility) while reducing the flow of traffic significantly, forcing existing traffic to divert through narrow residential streets. There are other options, presented below. |
||
|
|
Crossrail Save Ealing's Streets believes that the case for Crossrail is overwhelming and that the scheme will be well suited to the needs of West London. The scheme will complement other forms of public transport, and be fully integrated with them, which is essential.SES believes that Crossrail will provide much needed access to a wide range of employment opportunities for many West London residents. This will support the regeneration of the West London corridor.SES supports Crossrail in all aspects that have been publicised to date, and we wish the project good speed. It is high time that work on it commenced." Since SES was formed in 2002 it has opposed the diversion of traffic into residential streets that will occur if the West London Tram goes ahead and takes precedence over traffic on the A4020 between Uxbridge and Shepherd’s Bush. Save Ealing's Streets believes that the West London tram will have a serious adverse impacts for many local residents and business people and, for much of its route, would duplicate Crossrail. More information from the Crossrail website. |
|
|
For information about transport projects across London. Site also contains a wealth of links to other sources of comment and information. |
|
|
|
|
Trolleybuses Trolleybuses have been suggested as an alternative to the West London Tram. These would have the great advantages of costing much less to install, avoiding the massive disruption the tram's construction would bring, and maintaining the flexibility which will be lost if the tram is built. More information on the trolleybus proposal for West London is available on the Trolleybuses for West London website: |
|
|
This site argues for what it considers the best public transport solution along the Uxbridge Road corridor: trolleybuses. Detailed information is given for the reader to make an informed judgment. |
 |
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
The expected dates for the official stages of the West London Tram scheme have been taken from the Transport for London website: TfL West London Tram Update. From the Public Enquiry on, each stage depends on decisions by the Secretary of State for Transport. Transport for London has also produced a series of more detailed information sheets on the West London Tram. The sheets are available on TfL's website: West London Tram Infosheets These cover aspects of the tram ranging from transport modelling to archaelogy, via consultation exercises, environmental assessments and emergency services. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The local press has followed the tram story closely. |
|
Ealing Times |
The Ealing Times website carries a large number of tram-related articles. Type 'tram' into the search box and stand back! Click on the links below for the most recent articles: |
|
Hillingdon Times |
The Hillingdon Times website also has a number of articles devoted to the West London Tram. Type 'tram' into the search box. |
|
West London tram 'still on track' Transport for London says planning for West London Tram to continue regardless of support (or, more accurately, opposition) of councils involved. Report dated 30 May 2006 |
|
|
|
