The spectre of trams in Sutton has inched closer to reality with the publication of the Mayor of Londons transport strategy last week.
Sutton was one of four options mooted for the extension of the Croydon Tramlink service. But with feasibility studies and costing still to be carried out, it remains only a distant possibility.
Bringing trams to Sutton has been on the agenda for six years, and though no progress has been made in the interim, its inclusion in Ken Livingstones strategic plan suggested it was receiving serious consideration at the top.
That was the opinion at Sutton Council a long-time supporter of extension into the borough.
A spokesman said: It is a good sign if it is one of the extensions they are looking at. We are a lot more hopeful. It is something we support and have been pressing to get for some years.
The councils unitary development plan (UDP) the blueprint for the boroughs future has earmarked a tram route from Morden to Sutton town centre, via Rosehill.
The final decision will rest with Mr Livingstone and Transport for London (TfL) the body with strategic control over the capitals transport.
Summer 2002 has been laid down as a marker for the completion of initial viability studies, most probably by Tramtrack the company running the network, which runs from Beckenham to Wimbledon, via Croydon.
But a spokesman for TfL indicated it could be some time after that before work commences.
He said: There would be some discussion of where the money would come from and when it will become available.
There may well have to be a Transport Works Act, which may take up to a year to go through Parliament.
Its a question of how long is a piece of string?
He said that the four options extensions to Sutton, Crystal Palace, Colliers Wood or Tooting and along the A23 were being given equal weight at this stage.
He added that the relevant local authorities, including Sutton, would be consulted in the process.
Currently, Tramlinks only foray into the borough is the stop at Beddington Lane.
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