On Sep 12, 7:42 am, Bob wrote:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/proj...orkandservices...

I must have missed this cutting from July 2007 - oh for the days of
touching out on alwaystouchout - Dave we miss you

quote
http://www.london-se1.co.uk/news/view/2826

The Cross River Tram may initially be built only south of the Thames
due to opposition from Camden Council, Ken Livingstone has revealed.
Responding to a question from Lambeth and Southwark's London Assembly
member Val Shawcross at Mayor's Question Time in City Hall on
Wednesday, Mr Livingstone revealed that he had instructed officers to
investigate the possibility of building the southern tram routes from
Peckham and Brixton first and terminating them south of the river.
The northern sections from Waterloo to Euston, King's Cross and Camden
Town could then follow at a later date.
Green Party London Assembly member Jenny Jones welcomed the Mayor's
proposal to build the Southwark and Lambeth parts of the tram route:
"I'm thrilled that he's going to go ahead with it anyway," she told
the London SE1 website.
"South of the river there's consensus ... that it's the right thing to
do."
Jones believes that a possible Lambeth and Southwark tram would
quickly prove itself as a quick and efficient means of transport and
win over its north London detractors. "I think it will go ahead in
North London. There's no doubt about that."
Both Southwark and Lambeth councils have backed the Cross River Tram
proposals, but local authorities north of the Thames have been
lukewarm.
Val Shawcross told the London SE1 website that she was especially
pleased that the Mayor had opened up the prospect of moving the Cross
River Tram up his list of priorities - ahead of the West London Tram
scheme which has met fierce resistance from councils. "Their loss is
our gain," she said.
Southwark's executive member for regeneration, Cllr Richard Thomas,
said: "Southwark certainly supports any approach which puts the
borough at the top of the priorities list, and it would be great to
see things moving more quickly. This initiative is to be welcomed if
it means bringing our part of the tram to fruition earlier, and before
the Olympics.
"We are continuing to press the Mayor of London and the Government to
provide the funding to make this happen, because this is our best
chance in decades to get Southwark well and truly on the public
transport map."
In February Camden Council leader Cllr Keith Moffitt (Lib Dem) said:
"We are extremely concerned that the proposed tram will cause local
traffic congestion and safety problems for local people in residential
streets."
In late 2006 and early 2007 a consultation on the route options was
carried out. Key questions include whether the Peckham and Brixton
branches should divide outside The Old Vic theatre or at Elephant &
Castle.
The results of that consultation process are expected to be announced
shortly.
Whether any part of the Cross River Tram will be built depends on the
availability of funding and the Mayor says that he will continue to
make the case for the tram to central government.
"These are long-term schemes and you need to keep your eye on the
prize," says Shawcross, who as a former leader of Croydon Council well
remembers the 15-year campaign to bring Tramlink to that borough.
"You stay on the case arguing for the money and eventually you get
it."
unquote