Shoppers and commuters could catch trams in Sutton if bids to improve the town centre are approved.

Croydon and Wimbledon residents could connect to Sutton’s main shopping stretch at the Tramlink at Morden Station, under Sutton Council’s draft development plans.

St Helier Avenue would join into a one-way system around the town centre which would also connect to St Helier Hospital.

The idea, which would not involve any demolition of homes, is at discussion stage and depends on the commitment of Sutton Council, Transport for London and the Government to progress.

No cost has yet been set but a similar extension to the existing 28km light rail system planned to Crystal Palace was put between £62m and £170m.

Conservative Steve O'Connell, Member of the London Assembly representing Croydon and Sutton, said Mayor of London Boris Johnson had no money for a Sutton scheme at the moment, but if there was an “appetite for it” in Sutton he would do his best to lobby for it in the next Transport for London capital spend.

Former Sutton councillor Tony Pattison, who has been integral to moves for a Sutton tram link since mid 1990s, said the Crystal Palace scheme’s collapse last year because of a lack of government funding had raised concerns for the Sutton link’s future.

Mr Pattison, a trustee of Sutton-based sustainability group Ecolocal, said the Sutton link would also take second place to Crystal Palace.

However he remained optimistic it would progress.

He said: “We are all in favour of it, it is a cross-party issue.

“I’m optimistic, if we just hang in there it will come.

"I wish there was more urgency, but I don’t think this will be forgotton.”

A TfL spokesman said there was no timescale as yet for the scheme, but said concerns it could take as long as 20 years - the time it took to introduce light rail to Manchester - were unrealistic because there was already a system in south London to link to.

He said: “TfL are speaking to all the boroughs and key stakeholders to see how South London transport issues can be improved.

“If everyone decides that the tram link is going to be beneficial then there will be more official talks.”

Concerns have also been raised that the trams could actually divert shoppers away from Sutton instead of bringing them to the area as planned and that the system would restrict the flow of traffic.

But Mr Pattison said traffic modelling suggested this would not happen.

He said: “The theory is the system will be alot more frequent and reliable than buses and will bring those people in St Helier, who may ordinarily shop in Croydon or Wimbledon, down to Sutton to spend their money.

“It would also potentially divert through traffic away from town centre roads and reduce congestion and delay.”

• Do you want to see trams brought to Sutton? Do you think a tram system would be beneficial to the borough? Let us know in the comments section below.