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Old January 13th 07, 07:15 AM posted to uk.transport.london
Bob Bob is offline
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First recorded activity at LondonBanter: Nov 2005
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Default Cross River Tram Depot at Walworth

In view of the recent rebuild of White City Depot and subject to any
unforeseen ground condition problems this seems like a sensible
suggestion that should be explored.

Quote
Run trams under park
http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk...name_page.html
Jan 12 2007

Exclusive by Robert Dex

A TRAM depot could be built under-neath a park.
Planners have been asked to look at proposals which would also see a
tunnel cut through Burgess Park in Walworth allowing the cross-river
tram to travel through.
The idea has been proposed by Lambeth and Southwark London Assembly
member Val Shawcross and will now be considered by Transport for London
(TfL).
In a letter sent to TfL and seen by the South London Press, Ms
Shawcross wrote: "I would like TfL to consider conducting a feasibility
study on creating a tunnel crossing for the tram in the park.
"As large open spaces are at a premium for the location of a depot,
there might also be a 'cut and cover' option to excavate and create a
tunnel and a large underground depot and then restore level, grassed
and 'treed' parkland above it at ground level."
Ms Shawcross said the tunnel would not threaten the public's enjoyment
of the open space.
The 113-acre park was built over the pre-war streets of Walworth which
were demolished to make way for the Heygate and Aylesbury estates as
part of a slum clearance scheme.
And many of the streets and building foundations still exist only a few
feet under the grass.
Ms Shawcross said: "A tunnel crossing would avoid adding to the
disruption of the walking routes across the park.
"It would allow the tram to cross the park without further severance
and without reducing the traffic capacity along Wells Way. I hope TfL
will give some thought to this option."
A TfL spokesman said it was consulting on route options until the end
of the month.
He added: "The results will be considered and will help us in deciding
a preferred route.
"Later on in the year we will be having a consultation on local issues
along the route that will include the potential location of depots."
The favoured site for a depot is in the Copeland Industrial Park
between Peckham Rye and Bournemouth Road. The five-acre site is home to
six African churches, several businesses and about 60 artists.
Residents and businesses in the area have joined together to campaign
against the Peckham plans.
Eileen Conn, of Peckham Vision, said: "We would not comment on a
particular place for the depot but we do feel that TfL have not carried
out a proper search for a depot site."
Unquote