Plans for trams to rattle through the streets of Tooting could be on track under proposals being backed by the Mayor of London, which could see the existing network extended from Sutton to Wimbledon or Tooting.

The extensions to the Wimbledon to Croydon Tramlink are on a six-route shortlist being looked at by Transport for London (TfL).

The list includes a route from Sutton to Tooting via St Helier and Mitcham, and Sutton to Wimbledon via St Helier and Morden

They are identified in Ken Livingstone's draft London plan as a means of regenerating pockets of deprivation which "must be tackled through a combination of new transport links and training programmes".

Mr Livingstone said: "My draft London plan aims to ensure that growth within the area sustains the strong economy but also benefits the less well-off areas, giving opportunities to those people who currently miss out."

The extension proposals - which are envisaged to be funded by a private finance initiative along the lines of the present Tramlink service - are now being considered for development and evaluation.

The results should be ready by late summer but a TfL spokesman admitted that it will probably be into the next decade before the plans are implemented.

He said: "We will now be looking at what demand there is in those areas by looking at other existing services such as buses."

Wandsworth Council is broadly supportive of the tram plan but a spokesman expressed a note of caution.

He said: "The leader is very keen on the Tooting tram route and improving connections across south London.

"Most of the rest of it looks like a wish-list. It's hard to disagree with but you need money for it and support from the Government."

The mayor has also pledged to press the Government for construction of the East London Line extension to Wimbledon and West Croydon.

Wimbledon MP Roger Casale has called for a wide-ranging debate on the draft plan and is working with Wimbledon Civic Forum to draw up a response.

Despite high expectations, Mr Casale was disappointed the Wandle Valley did not feature strongly in the plan as the forum had highlighted it as an area of strong population growth in the future.

Mr Casale is chairing a special public meeting of the forum on September 5.

A copy of the draft plan is available by logging onto www.london.gov.uk.

The formal consultation period on the plans runs until September 30.

What do you think about the plans? Have your say by e-mailing clillington@london.newsquest.co.uk or write to Chris Lillington, Borough News, Unecol House, 819 London Road, North Cheam, Surrey SM3 9BN.

July 8, 2002 10:00