Proposal will offer wider travel choice

TRAMS could run through Greenwich Park to link it to Abbey Wood as part of the proposed Waterfront Transit Scheme.

Residents will board the tram at Abbey Wood station and the line will link Woolwich, Charlton and the Jubilee line at North Greenwich, if the scheme gets approval from London Mayor Ken Livingstone.

It could then be extended westwards from the Dome to east Greenwich, the town centre and Greenwich station.

It could eventually go through Royal Park and up to Blackheath.

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

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

Friends of Greenwich Park chairman Elaine Warrell said: "Running the trams through the park is something I am keen on and I think it's great.

"It will get people round Greenwich in a nice, fun way.

"I like the idea of it running from St Mary's Gate, at the Cutty Sark end of the park, up to the observatory and round to Rangers House, either outside or within the park.

"It is very much speculation at this stage.

"It is a possibility rather than a probability. But we would like it to be a probability."

Discussions over the proposed link have arisen from the possibility of a new World Heritage Visitor Site Centre and proposals to extend the heritage site boundary to include Blackheath Village and the heath.

A TfL spokesman said: "We are looking at responses from the block consultation on the Waterfront Transit, East London, Cross River and West London transit.

"But we 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."

Should the Waterfront Transit scheme be 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 in 2003-04.

A Greenwich Council spokesman said: "The council certainly is in favour of what would be a massive and much-needed investment in the borough's public transport system."

Transport for London has already put out a tender of interest for all the transit schemes, to see which companies would be keen to become involved.

December 19, 2001 10:37

Andy Laithwaite