'Mayor throws a spanner in the works for Cross River Tram' - Caroline Pidgeon AM

12.17.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 4th Sep 2008

Commenting on the news that Mayor Johnson will not be committing further funding for the Cross River Tram proposals Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat's transport spokesperson at the London Assembly, says: "Given how much work and money has already gone into this and given his transport strategy is still under review, it's staggering the Mayor would say this when he's not fully reviewed the case.

"The Transport committee will next week be reviewing the case and how the tram can be funded and will put this to the Mayor as a matter of urgency."

In Wednesday's meeting of the Budget and Performance Committee meeting at City Hall, when questioned by Assembly Member Brain Coleman about the level of money being spent by TfL on highway schemes and projects the Cross River Tram, Mayor Johnson said "I am not intending to spend a lot more money on the Cross River Tram."

The comments come just a few days before the London Assembly's Transport Committee (of which Caroline is the deputy chair) holds a seminar to consider the case and prospects for the Cross River Tram.

Caroline says: "The new Mayor said he would listen to Londoners and that means listening to residents and businesses who are in favour of the tram, rather than just a Tory maverick who is against it.

"Over a thousand people have signed a petition supporting the tram. What the Mayor has failed to grasp is the tram is a solution which will not only improve public transport in poorly served parts of south London but will also ease over-crowding on the northern line, will help inward business investment in the city and will provide an environmental and fast north-south route.

"There is a huge cost to London of not going ahead with the cross river tram. I hope the Mayor will genuinely listen to the case for the tram and review his position urgently"