BEXLEY residents could board a tram at Abbey Wood train station and be connected directly to Greenwich Park if the Waterfront Transit Scheme is approved.

The first phase will link Thamesmead, Woolwich and Charlton to the Jubilee line at North Greenwich, if the scheme gets support from London mayor Ken Livingstone.

It could then be extended westwards from the Dome to east Greenwich, the town centre and Greenwich Station and could eventually go through the Royal park and up to Blackheath.

The Waterfront Transit, costing between £70m and £180m, is part of Ken Livingstone's transport strategy and went out to public consultation this summer.

Discussions over the link to Blackheath arose from the possibility of building a new World Heritage Visitor Site Centre outside the walls of Greenwich Park.

Proposals to extend the heritage site boundary to include Blackheath Village added weight to the idea.

Three potential forms of transport are being considered including electric-powered trams and trolley buses or low-emission diesel buses.

A TfL spokesman said: "We are looking at the responses from the block consultation on the Waterfront Transit, East London, Cross River and West London transit. But can't reveal any other information until the official announcement is made in the new year.

"The final decision goes to the Mayor of London and we will be putting a case to him asking for a yes or no answer."

If the Waterfront Transit scheme is rubber stamped by Mr Livingstone, further consultation will be made on routes, specific planning issues and works.

If any or all of the schemes get the go ahead, work will start late 2003/2004.

December 21, 2001 16:00