Mayor of London Boris Johnson has committed to giving a firm decision on whether Sutton Tramlink will go ahead 'by the end of the year' after being urged to make the £240 million project part of his 'legacy'.

The pledge was made today, September 17, during Mayor's Question Time.

The Sutton Tramlink would run from Morden Road and terminate near Sutton station, via Morden town centre, Rose Hill, St Helier Hospital and Angel Hill.

It has the backing of 84 per cent of residents surveyed across Merton and Sutton and is supported by leaders of both boroughs, their opposition counterparts, London Assembly members Steve O’Connell and Richard Tracey, as well as MPs Paul Burstow, Tom Brake, Siobhain McDonagh and Stephen Hammond.

Responding to questions from GLA member Steve O'Connell, Mr Johnson said: "I think there is a strong case for the Tramlink in south London."

But said it was a "question of cash".

He told the meeting if there was strong financial backing from the councils for the plans then the Mayor's office and Transport for London would be able to take the project forward but warned that there must not be a repeat of the West London Tramlink fiasco with millions sunnk into the failed project.

The mayor heard from Mr O'Connell over the strength of feeling for the scheme and the detailed reports published by both Sutton and Merton.

This quashed any fears the mayor had on whether support would crumble once the routes were announced as these formed part of the consultation backed by more than eight out of ten respondents.

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Given the strength of supporting evidence and the overwhelming local support for the scheme assembly member Caroline Pidgeon pushed Mr Johnson for a timescale as to when he could give a definitive answer on the proposals, which Sutton Council believes could create 10,000 long-term jobs and bring the equivalent of more than £76m worth of improved economic welfare, at 2010 prices, to the area.

Mr Johnson said there would be an "answer by the end of this calender year."

He said: "I don't want to monkey around about this. If it's a no and a tragic no I will be straight."

Speaking after the meeting, Mr O'Connell said: "He (Mr Johnson) wants to do it.

"His people are telling him there is no money but if he had the will he could find that and I think he is moving to that place.

"He hasn't given his commitment to the funding yet but he has moved closer to a position where he can commit to a legacy."