Renewed hope for Crystal Palace tram (From Your Local Guardian)

I was under the impression that completing the extension would have required money from central government, but that they weren't willing to commit such money due to the mess they are in with public finances. Thus Ken and any other mayor would have been unable to proceed with the extension either.

The extension will be a good idea.

Shelve it!! there's no money around!!

They have probably suddenly found some money. It happens. They were looking in the wrong pocket.

The rationale behind this massively expensive extension is unclear and the methods employed by those backing the proposal to justify it are questionable. The original MORI poll concluded that the vast majority of people in the Crystal Palace area considered the existing transport facilities in the area as very good or better and, with a railway station with services to both London Victoria and London Bridge and the capital’s second largest bus terminus, this is certainly true. Of course, when asked whether they would like a Tramlink extension too, most respondents also said “yes”.

Unfortunately, the information the MORI survey team did not provide when asking this question (although they knew it would be the case), was that the people of Crystal Palace would have to sacrifice some of their existing train services, should the tram be built! It was, therefore, a rather underhand way to ask the question and, I suggest, it renders the results of the survey unreliable.

The scheme is an expensive waste of money and an unnecessary threat to Grade II* Listed Park Land given the existing transport links in the area. And for those local businesses which believe it will be good for their business because it will improve transport facilities between Croydon and Crystal Palace, they should consider that schoolboy level economics provides the proof that improving transport communications between two centres, one large and one small, will always lead to a net loss of business to the smaller centre and a net gain of business to the larger centre.

There is no financial, business or social justification for the proposed Tramlink extension to Crystal Palace.

Although the tram may well work in and around Croydon, it does seem ridiculous to provide us with a majorly expensive new tram route that is essentially the same as perfectly good rail links that are in fact quicker. They would have to run up an already busy and congested through road (which would not carry less traffic as a result as it is a major through route rather than a replacement route into Croydon) and through and very near local residents backyards that are currently very peaceful backroads, through a Grade II* listed park, and will cost a fortune. The local business people who are supporting this are deluded - it will cost taxpayers a fortune for little if any benefit, and will severely annoy local residents. Great way to ensure customers local business people - by backing unpopular schemes. Well done. If it ever gets built I will use it - to take my money away from Palace and in to Croydon!