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London tram in Croydon

The Sutton Link is a proposed new tram line in South London, between Colliers Wood via St Helier to Sutton. Proposed since the early 2000s, consultations on the proposed route took place in the late 2010s. A preferred route was announced in February 2020. Financial issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led Transport for London to put the project on hold in July 2020. Despite being identified in the London Plan, the project was cancelled in 2023, due to a "weak business case" and lack of funding.

History

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Initial proposals

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Since the opening of Croydon Tramlink (now London Trams) in 2000, there have been several proposals to extend the network to other parts of south and south-east London, including to Sutton and Crystal Palace.[1] In 2002, TfL indicated that an Tramlink extension to Sutton was being considered.[2] In 2005, the Spending Review only allocated funding towards an Tramlink extension to Crystal Palace, and work on the Sutton extension was placed on hold.[3]

In the early 2010s, TfL again began feasibility work on extending the Tramlink south towards Sutton.[4] In September 2011, the London Borough of Sutton and London Borough of Merton signed a joint Statement of Intent, expressing their support for a future extension to Sutton.[5] In May 2013, the London Borough of Sutton published an prospectus outlining the potential benefits of an extension to Tramlink to connect to Sutton and the Royal Marsden Hospital.[6] This outlined a potential route from the Morden Road tram stop, heading south along the A24 and A297 to Rosehill Roundabout, then through Sutton town centre, ending at Sutton railway station. A further extension south would connect to the Royal Marsden Hospital. Discussions with Transport for London (TfL) indicated that the initial phase to Sutton could cost around £240m.[6] The prospectus indicated support from both Sutton and Merton Councils, as well as from major employers along the route.[6]

In July 2013, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson said that there was a reasonable business case for an extension of tram to Sutton.[7] In the London 2050 Infrastructure plan, an extension of the tram to Sutton was given a medium priority with a timescale of 2030.[8]

Sutton and Merton consult on extension

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Between July and August 2014, a joint consultation by the London Boroughs of Merton and Sutton was held. It aimed to gauge support for the extension, as well as for different routes proposed. The consultation offered three choices of northern terminus (Wimbledon and South Wimbledon on-street or off-street), with or without the loop serving St Helier Hospital directly, and for the Sutton loop to either run entirely around the Sutton gyratory or divert north along the High Street.[9] In September 2014, results showed 84% of respondents strongly supported or supported the extension. Respondents also supported a northern terminus at Wimbledon, a loop to serve St Helier Hospital, and running entirely around the Sutton gyratory.[10]

In March 2016, £100m from TfL was initially secured in their draft 2016/17 budget,[11] however this was subsequently reallocated.[12] Merton and Sutton Councils promised £50m each towards the line.[11] In May 2016, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said he remained committed to the project, and called on Sutton Council to raise the shortfall in funding.[13][14] Khan also noted that a project like a tram extension take a long time to deliver.[13] In October 2017, it was announced that TfL would put £70m towards the extension, funded from a London wide growth fund.[15]

Further consultation

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In October 2018, TfL began a further consultation on the Sutton Link, with three potential route options to reach Sutton town centre.[16]

Option Northern terminus Route Mode of transport
1 South Wimbledon tube station From South Wimbledon tube station along Morden Road (A24), interchange with Morden Road tram stop, through Morden (300m from Morden tube station, through Rose Hill and St Helier, follows Sutton gyratory Tram or Bus rapid transit (BRT)
2 Colliers Wood tube station From Colliers Wood tube station along Church Road, interchange with Belgrave Walk tram stop, along Morden Road (A239), through Rose Hill and St Helier, follows Sutton gyratory Tram or BRT
3 Wimbledon Along Sutton Loop Line from Wimbledon, diverts from line at Collingwood Road before West Sutton, follows Sutton gyratory Tram

The consultation indicated that options 1 or 2 would cost £425m as a segregated tram line, but also could be delivered at £275m as a bus rapid transit (BRT) route. Options 1 and 2 also had potential for a direct link at Wimbledon station (with option 2 the easier route) and a potential loop for a direct connection with St Helier Hospital. Option 3 however was only proposed as a tram route, at £300m, with Thameslink services terminating at West Sutton and Wimbledon. Services on the intermediate stations would however be more frequent as a tram service than currently. Work could begin in 2022, with aim for completing in 2025.[17] Services to Wimbledon regardless of route would however be postponed several years to co-ordinate with Crossrail 2 works, due to the low capacity on tram platforms in the station and to limit disruption.

Support from TfL

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In 2018, the project was included in the Mayor's Transport Strategy.[18] It outlined how a potential tram extension would improve connectivity in south London, enabling the delivery of new homes in Sutton town centre and provide improved connections to employment.[18] In January 2019, Sadiq Khan reaffirmed TfL's support for the scheme, noting that £70m was being spent on developing the project. He expressed concern that there was a funding gap of about £255 million, as TfL was providing 70% of the funding, while Sutton and Merton were contributing 22% and 8% respectively.[19]

In April 2019, TfL released the results of the 2018 consultation – which showed strong support for the extension overall. 81% of respondents supported a tram option, with respondents preferring option 1 (65% support or strong support) over option 2 (55% support or strong support) and option 3 (49% support or strong support).[20]

In February 2020, TfL announced the preferred route of the extension,[21] expressing their support for "Route Option 2 (Colliers Wood – Sutton) operated as a tram service ... assuming we are successful in securing funding to deliver the project".[20][22] The report acknowledged that the BRT option would be cheaper, however the tram was preferred due to the greater transport benefits and greater public support.[20] The report indicated that next steps for the Sutton Link included finalising funding for the project, undertaking detailed design work and acquiring authorisation (a Transport and Works Act Order) to construct, operate and maintain the extension.[20]

It was estimated that the extension would cost around £560 million, with TfL contributing £79 million and Sutton and Merton Council contributing around £36 million – leaving a funding gap of around £440 million.[23]

Project put on hold

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Following the loss of passenger income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, TfL announced in July 2020 that the project had been put on hold, as "as the transport case is poor and there remains a significant funding gap".[24] Andy Byford, London’s Transport Commissioner, said that the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in making "difficult choices" about funding of projects.[25] Sutton councillor Manuel Abellan called the announcement "a kick in the teeth for our residents", calling for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to fund the extension.[24]

The project was identified in the 2021 London Plan as a key transport scheme, with an indicated medium cost level, and construction within the decade spanning from 2020 to 2030.[26]

In April 2023, MP for Sutton and Cheam and Minister for London Paul Scully criticised Mayor of London Sadiq Khan for failing to build the extension, stating that "we need more public transport alternatives" before the Ultra Low Emission Zone is extended to Sutton.[23] Scully also noted that "Sutton has one of the lowest levels per head of transport investment by the Mayor of any London borough".[23] A spokesperson for the Mayor responded by requesting financial support from government towards the tram extension, noting the £440 million funding gap.[23]

In September 2023, TfL announced that it could no longer commit any funding to the scheme, in light of a "weak" business case.[27][28] In November 2023, Mayor Khan expressed willingness to reconsider the tram if funding became available in future.[29] Of the major political parties who took part in the 2024 London mayoral election, only the Green Party manifesto mentioned the Sutton Link.[30] Sutton Council continue to advocate for the tram, with the leader of the Council inviting Mayor Khan to visit the borough.[29][31]

In September 2024, Luke Taylor, the newly elected MP for Sutton and Cheam pledged to advocate for the project. He highlighted the council's ongoing efforts and the support from Liberal Democrats in the London Assembly such as Caroline Pidgeon, who have been urging TfL to reinstate funding for the extension.[32][better source needed]

References

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  1. ^ "Docklands Light Railway and Croydon Tramlink" (PDF). Mayor of London. 2002. p. 148. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 July 2009. Retrieved 3 February 2024. A number of proposed extensions have been identified: to Sutton from Wimbledon or Mitcham; to Crystal Palace; to Colliers Wood/Tooting; along the A23.
  2. ^ Pelling, Andrew; Livingstone, Ken (23 January 2002). "Questions to the Mayor - Tram link to Sutton". Greater London Authority. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  3. ^ Pelling, Andrew; Livingstone, Ken (23 February 2005). "Questions for the Mayor - Tram for Sutton". Greater London Authority. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  4. ^ O'Connell, Steve; Johnson, Boris (2 October 2011). "Questions to the Mayor - Tramlink to Sutton". Greater London Authority. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  5. ^ Team, Merton Web (16 September 2011). "Merton and Sutton seek tramline extension". Merton Council Newsroom. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Sutton Tramlink Extension Economic Benefits Prospectus". London Borough of Sutton. May 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  7. ^ Murphy-Pyle, Mike (18 July 2013). "Boris tells City Hall there is 'reasonable business case' for extending tram route to Sutton". Your Local Guardian. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  8. ^ "London Infrastructure Plan 2050 - Transport Supporting Paper" (PDF). Greater London Authority. 2014. p. 145. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  9. ^ "Extending Tramlink from Wimbledon to Sutton via Morden - Public consultation - Report to London Boroughs of Sutton and Merton" (PDF). Opportunity Sutton. September 2014. pp. 4–5. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Extending Tramlink from Wimbledon to Sutton via Morden - Public consultation - Report to London Boroughs of Sutton and Merton" (PDF). Opportunity Sutton. September 2014. pp. 6–9. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  11. ^ a b Morrison, Sean (15 March 2016). "TfL commits £100m to extending tram network from Wimbledon to Sutton". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  12. ^ Simpson, Craig (10 December 2016). "Why Croydon's tram network may now not be extended to Sutton". Croydon Advertiser. Archived from the original on 11 December 2016.
  13. ^ a b O'Mahony, Daniel (19 May 2016). "Sadiq Khan: Croydon tram extension from Wimbledon to Sutton is a priority - 'but don't hold your breath'". Sutton Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  14. ^ Anglesey, Anders (24 January 2017). "'Show more ambition': Sutton to review tram extension funding as Mayor calls on council to pledge more money". Sutton Guardian. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
  15. ^ White, Anna (26 September 2017). "Exclusive: Tramlink extension set to bring 10,000 new homes to south-west London as TfL promises £70m to project". Evening Standard. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  16. ^ "Have your say on the Sutton Link: a major new public transport service for Sutton and Merton". Transport for London. 31 October 2018. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  17. ^ Kituno, Nick (10 September 2018). "Routes for the Wimbledon-Sutton tramlink extension revealed". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  18. ^ a b "The Mayor's Transport Strategy" (PDF). Mayor of London. March 2018. p. 233. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  19. ^ O'Connell, Steve; Sadiq, Khan (17 January 2019). "Questions to the Mayor: Sutton Tram Extension". London Assembly. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d "Sutton Link - Response to issues raised" (PDF). Transport for London. February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  21. ^ "Transport for London selects preferred route and trams for Sutton Link". Railway Gazette International. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  22. ^ O'Connor, Tara (17 February 2020). "Plan to extend Croydon tram network to Sutton moves a step closer". My London. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d Vickers, Noah (21 April 2023). "London minister criticises Sadiq Khan as Mayor confirms Sutton tram extension plan is still shelved". Evening Standard.
  24. ^ a b Charsley, Monica (29 July 2020). "'Kick in the teeth' - TfL pause tram extension to Sutton". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  25. ^ O'Connor, Tara (24 July 2020). "Long-awaited tram extension to Sutton has been put on hold". My London. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  26. ^ "London Plan 2021" (PDF). london.gov.uk. 2014. pp. 60, 410. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
  27. ^ Galliven, Harrison (29 September 2023). "TfL admits it can 'no longer fund Sutton tram extension'". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  28. ^ "TfL forced to bin costly £560m tram extension into Sutton". Inside Croydon. 30 September 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2024. Transport for London has binned the proposed Sutton tram extension due to its "weak business case".
  29. ^ a b Bertrand, Ezekiel (30 November 2023). "Sutton been 'waiting 20 years' for tram expansion as Mayor urged to rethink plans". Your Local Guardian. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  30. ^ "Our Manifesto for London" (PDF). London Green Party. Retrieved 1 June 2024. Tackle the current Mayor's backlog of projects, like ... the Tram line to Sutton
  31. ^ Galliven, Harrison (22 May 2024). "New leader of Sutton Council Barry Lewis invites Sadiq Khan to borough in investment bid". mylondon.news. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  32. ^ Taylor, Luke (10 September 2024). "Comment on Sutton News Group Post". Facebook. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
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