Ealing trams - who wants them?

12.00.00am GMT Tue 7th Jan 2003

Lynne Featherstone, London Assembly Liberal Democrat transport spokesperson, has written to 500 Ealing residents to find out if they back Mayor Ken Livingstone's plan to run a new tramway along Acton High Street and Ealing Broadway.

The tram plan has already aroused widespread anger in Ealing, with residents' protest groups being formed, and Transport for London officers coming under pressure at noisy public meetings.

"We need to find out the full range of public opinion on the tram," said Ms Featherstone. "Our survey gives people the chance to tell us about the problems and the benefits of the scheme as they see it."

"Transport for London have not done themselves any favours by botching their own initial consultation. Their 'suggested' diversion routes alarmed a lot of people – though it now appears they've ditched these ideas.

"Trams can be a superb public transport solution – as in Croydon and Manchester. But there needs to be space for them, and they're not necessarily suited to every street location."

"If only Ken Livingstone and Transport for London would ask the people first what they want, instead of cooking up a plan and then seeking support for it, we would save time, cash, and tempers."