The success of Tramlink's new Wimbledon line could spark a major wave of transport developments linking Merton with Sutton, Tooting and East London.

Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that since its opening last May, the line running from Wimbledon to Croydon via Morden and Mitcham has proved so popular with commuters, the viability of further extensions to the line is now being explored.

Systems

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has already said he wants the Tramlink serving Croydon, Wimbledon and surrounding areas to act as a blueprint for four more multi-million pound tram systems in the capital.

Planners hope this would provide integrated transport links to give commuters in outer London easy and efficient transport access to the city, bus routes and rail services.

Early TfL plans indicate possible extensions of the service to link Sutton and St Helier with Wimbledon or with Mitcham and Tooting. Another potential route backed by Merton Council is to create the borough's own Merton Tramlink scheme, which would run through Mitcham and Colliers Wood.

Despite many of these proposals being in the very early stages, London Transport officials are confident the borough's links with the City and other parts of London are set to improve vastly in the near future.

Reliable

A spokesman for TfL said: "It would definitely open up some new journey opportunities for people. The fact that the system is already fully accessible to disabled people and is a reliable service means more passengers will benefit.

"And of course the great advantage of Tramlink is it is a very effective way of enabling people to leave their cars at home, which improves the area and environment."

He added: "We are always very willing to listen and are open to the ideas of local people who want to make transport suggestions."

Merton Council hopes to work with TfL to make Merton Tramlink a reality, and has included the proposal in its Unitary Development Plan.

A spokesman said: "We are very much behind improving public transport access for Mitcham and Colliers Wood, and this new bus and Tram strategy underlines our intention.

"We hope the Mayor agrees that there are transport, environmental and regeneration benefits in our proposals."