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Tube and tram could extend into Sutton

7:21pm Wednesday 2nd April 2008

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Plans to 'stretch' the Northern Line and build a new station in Merton have been included in a series of ambitious transport proposals compiled by the leaders of south London councils.

The line would use the current sidings running through the south of the borough and is part of a list of transport priorities presented to Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson in the run up to the London Mayoral elections.

The Tramlink has also been earmarked for an extension as part of the proposals with Wimbledon being connected to Sutton.

"There's a real chance that these ideas will be taken seriously," said Merton Council leader David Williams.

"Yes, it's aspirational but if you don't dare to dream it will never happen."

Both Livingstone and Johnson have agreed to consider the plans after recent visits to the borough where they were presented with the proposals.

Mr Williams added: "It makes sense to do this because it won't require tunnelling and while it may well cost tens of millions of pounds, it will increase the connectivity of the area enormously by running the Northern Line as far as St Helier.

"And the extension of the Tramlink to Sutton will make a huge difference to the orbital network, improving accessibility and taking cars off the road. It will also open up more job opportunities."

According to the leader of Merton Council, Greater London Authorities statistics also suggest there is potential for economic growth in the area but it is being "suffocated" by poor transport links.

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Cllr David Pickles, Belmont says...
10:39am Thu 3 Apr 08

It is refreshing to see this story. I have been calling for the Northern line to be extended to Sutton for a long time, and it is now an official policy of UKIP in the borough to press for this rather than the tramlink extension, which will create even more traffic congestion.

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Matthew, Wimbledon says...
5:16pm Fri 4 Apr 08

This is a great idea. If the plans to expand Sutton Hospital go ahead it will be essential to improve the transport links between Merton and Sutton. In addition increasing numbers of Merton families send children to Sutton schools so it will help cut down on school runs. Well done Merton Council for putting this forward.

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I hope not, Sutton says...
9:37pm Fri 4 Apr 08

Well I don't want it thank you. All I can see it doing is import more scum into the borough, making it easier for the muggers to get back home again after a good day. Well done.

Why don't the people that make these decisions ask the RESIDENTS of the borough what WE want, not that they will pay any attention to it anyway, they haven't so far.

Oh and who is going to be paying for it ? Certainly not the councillors with their lovely extra ten grand that they have awarded themselves.

Am I correct in assuming that Cllr Pickles has sent out a survey to all residents to see what WE want, before pushing for something that we might not.

Didn't think so

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Ken Birch, Morden says...
2:58am Sun 6 Apr 08

What a great idea to extend the Northern Line to Sutton. Anyone who has stood on 'Morden South' station platform and looked accross the 100 meter gap to the rail-lines in the depot, has had the same idea! Morden station is already ideally laid out for extension, 3 lines with 5 platforms; just like as at 'White City' station. The Massive boost to St. Helier, Rosehill and Sutton's prospects would be well worth the money. However the Tram-Link extension to Sutton is madness; which part of Morden Hall Park would be destroyed? How could you get through Rosehill or Angel Hill? Northern line extension - Yes Please; Tram-Link extension - No Thankyou!

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Great Idea by dear Watson, Mitcham says...
8:42am Mon 7 Apr 08

This is a great idea. I sincerely hope these proposals get the go-ahead. Living in Mitcham, I am in the middle of three great shopping areas. Two of them can be reached by tram. The third (Sutton), I have to take my car. By extending the tramlink to Sutton, not only do I leave the car at home, but additionally, by moving to Sutton, I can still buy a 1-3 monthly travel card even though I would be living in a Zone 5 area. Money saving all round.

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Andrew Robinson, Merton says...
2:19pm Mon 7 Apr 08

Hold on! Reading the proposal carefully, the Northern Line would be extended as far as St Helier only, as this is the where the "sidings" extend to. I don't think it would extend to Sutton itself, merely towards LB Sutton. Northern Line tube trains would not be able to easily run along the same tracks as the Thameslink trains, and I can't see the line between Morden South and Wimbledon being shut down!

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Adrian, Sutton says...
2:44pm Mon 7 Apr 08

Pointless. While a Tramlink service through Sutton would probably improve short-distance travel through the borough, that's only a minor issue. The main problem with Sutton is that it's badly served by London-bound and regional rail networks, compared to other primary Zone 5/6 suburbs.

50% of our Victoria-bound services trundle pointlessly through SE London and there are no semi-fast trains back from Victoria after 11.30pm (and only one later slow train). Compare that with the sort of service you get to Surbiton, Chingford, Ealing, etc.

The Northern Line wouldn't help much, either... it's a trek from Morden to central London, so any Sutton station would involve an even more tortuous journey into town.

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Theresa Green, Sutton says...
11:00am Tue 8 Apr 08

Hmmmm, if the rumours about Ken Livingstone extending the congestion charge to Sutton were true then this could be why. If he extends the tube to us then he'll need some way of paying for it and I have a feeling that will be a Sutton congestion charge. I'm all for extending the tube line but not if it means I have to pay every time I want to use my car.

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Theresa Green, Sutton says...
11:00am Tue 8 Apr 08

Hmmmm, if the rumours about Ken Livingstone extending the congestion charge to Sutton were true then this could be why. If he extends the tube to us then he'll need some way of paying for it and I have a feeling that will be a Sutton congestion charge. I'm all for extending the tube line but not if it means I have to pay every time I want to use my car.

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RICH, SUTTON says...
11:21am Wed 9 Apr 08

red ken is going to extend the charge to sutton i work at town hall and thats what they are all saying ..so vote boris

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Cllr Peter Geiringer-------Belm ont Ward, Sutton says...
10:19pm Wed 9 Apr 08

Having the Northern Line extended to Sutton might sound great to some---------but can you imagine the gridlock of traffic trying to get into and out of Sutton at rush hour times.Its bad enough at the moment !!
Also-----where exactly are the car parks to take the additional cars that would pile into Sutton---------being the most Southerly tube station in London ??
The narrow roads leading from Surrey to Sutton are just not geared up to take the additional traffic.
quote

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Cllr David Pickles, Belmont says...
11:23pm Thu 10 Apr 08

In reply to "I hope not" of Sutton, councillors (apart from a select few of which I am most definitely not one), have not awarded themselves a "ten grand rise". That increase has gone to a select band of already well paid officers, and no I have not sent out a survey to ALL residents. My call for the Northern line to come to Sutton comes from years of speaking to local residents on the subject. I also strongly disagree with Cllr Peter Geiringer on this. Is he afraid of Sutton somehow being linked to London? There will not be an increase in traffic at all, because there will be nowhere for it to park, so the market will sort that out.

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I hope not, Sutton says...
12:41pm Fri 11 Apr 08

No one I have spoken to wants either the tram or the Northern Line extended into Sutton, nor have they been consulted on it by ANYONE. You are assuming the people you have spoken to is a fair representation of the population of Sutton. Before you make something a 'party' issue, make sure you have the full backing of the borough, because I can assure you, you do not, nor do I want you pushing for something that you probably won't use, won't affect you and you won't end up paying for and all for getting your name in public yet again perhaps ? But I digress...I have lived in the borough all my life and feel very passionately about a lot of issues and bringing this to Sutton is not a good idea at all. Incidentally, we can easily access the Northern Line enough from Morden and the Tram from Wimbledon, Mitcham or Croydon, so why is it such a pressing issue to extend it to an area that doesn't need it? For once, "if it ain't broke..don't try to fix it". Stop meddling and please concentrate on more important issues if you expect our votes.

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Mark Parris, EPsom says...
10:17pm Wed 23 Apr 08

I think another similar excercise would be to see the District line extended to Epsom and Kingston and someone should really join Leatherhead to Chessington South as originally intended.

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The Northern Line could run as far as St Helier The Northern Line could run as far as St Helier

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