Residents' fears over the West London Tram scheme will be listened to, vowed a senior official of the scheme.
In an exclusive interview, Tim Jones, project director of West London Trams, gave a resounding promise that any issues raised by residents' groups or individuals will be taken into account and will be addressed.
The meeting came after residents' group Save Ealing Streets raised concerns about traffic being diverted down residential streets should the trams be approved.
Mr Jones said: "The consultation period for the West London Tram scheme does not stop but it does have limits. We will continue to consult local residents and businesses while the project is in process. We are willing to meet with every objector and address every point raised whether they are a majority, such as Save Ealing Streets, or an individual who has other issues."
As part of the process local consultation groups (LCGs) will be set up in the town centres along the route, including Acton, Ealing, West Ealing, Hanwell and Southall.
The LCGs are a joint venture between Ealing Council and Transport for London(TFL) who want groups with local knowledge to give their views in terms of traffic management measures needed for the new scheme and other concerns they have.
Jane Ashley, founder of Save Ealing Streets, is pleased West London Trams is willing to listen to residents' concerns but hopes this will actually happen.
She said: "We hope they will listen to concerns and take them on board and if they do, that would be great. This is a key time to meet and listen to residents' concerns.
"What the residents are saying is loud and clear do not close sections of the Uxbridge Road."
If the West London Tram is approved it is believed more than 500 new jobs will be created across the borough and the trams will carry more than 50 million people a year.
A newsletter containing information about the West London Tram scheme will be distributed to 300,000 residents next month.
For more information log on to www.tfl.gov.uk/trams or write to TFL, West London Tram Project, 5th Floor, MWB Exchange, Greycoat Place, London, SW1
January 30, 2003 09:00
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