4203 SLT brochure 6/21/04 19:08 Page 1 South London Trams Transport for Everyone The case for extensions to Tramlink 4203 SLT brochure 6/21/04 19:09 Page 2 South London Trams Introduction South London Partnership Given the importance of good Tramlink is a highly successful integrated transport and the public transport system. It is is the strategic proven success of Tramlink reliable, frequent and fast, offers a partnership for south in the region, South London high degree of personal security, Partnership together with the is well used and highly regarded. London. It promotes London Borough of Lambeth has the interests of south established a dedicated lobby This document sets out the case group – South London Trams – for extensions to the tram London as a sub-region to promote extensions to the network in south London. in its own right and as a Tramlink network in south London, drawing on the major contributor to the widespread public and private development of London sector support for trams and as a world class city. extensions in south London. 4203 SLT brochure 6/21/04 19:09 Page 4 South London Trams Transport for Everyone No need for a ramp operated by the driver “Light rail delivers The introduction of Tramlink has The tram has also enabled Integration is key to Tramlink’s been hugely beneficial for its local previously isolated local residents success. Extending Tramlink fast, frequent and south London community. It serves to travel to jobs, training, leisure provides an opportunity for the reliable services and the whole of the community, with and cultural activities – giving wider south London community trams – unlike buses and trains – them a greater feeling of being to enjoy these benefits. provides a comfortable being used by all socio-economic part of London. and safe journey.” groups – from daily business Tramlink carries almost 20 commuters to elderly pensioners Tramlink is a fully integrated million passengers a year and National Audit Office report and weekend shoppers. system with over 50 local bus the numbers are still growing. Improving Public Transport in England connections. With these local bus The extended network will Through Light Rail (April 2004). Those who experience difficulty connections, interchanges with provide new links to the with other modes of transport – 7 mainline rail stations and the proposed East London Line such as mums with pushchairs or tube at Wimbledon, the tram extension, the tube, hospitals, the mobility impaired; as well as works in harmony with other town centres and employment those residents who previously public transport services to provide parks in south London. did not have access to frequent a fully co-ordinated, seamless and reliable public transport – journey for the passenger. Reliability find Tramlink a safe, easy and convenient mode of transport. The NAO evaluation of national Tram 99% Journeys are secure– with on- tram services (April 2004), reports that: tram CCTV and every driver Bus 97% and every tram stop constantly “We found that integration monitored by the control centre, with bus services was poor to even late at night. Tube 93% moderate on four of the five systems when they first opened – the exception being the Average speed Croydon Tramlink”. Tram 25kph Bus 10-14 kph 4203 SLT brochure 6/21/04 19:09 Page 6 South London Trams Good for the Environment The River Wandle in Morden Hall Park Tram passing through Lloyd Park Trams are Running right into the heart of Tramlink has not only helped to Extensions to Tramlink will town centres, Tramlink is a viable, reduce pollution and congestion, give even more people access environmentally friendly. realistic form of transport for it has also helped to create to south London parks and By providing fast reliable those wanting an alternative to new green spaces, enabled the open spaces – including the car. Almost 20% of passengers planting of more trees and made Crystal Palace Park and its and attractive public have switched from their cars to parks and rivers more accessible. sports facilities – and the transport, they the tram. proposed 500 hectare ■ Replacement tree planting Wandle Valley Country Park. encourage people to Powered by electricity (with significantly increased the leave their cars at home. 15% currently purchased from number of trees growing renewable energy sources), trams in the area use far less fuel per passenger journey than buses, cars or taxis ■ The Phipps Bridge tramstop and do not emit fumes, thus provides a new public improving the air quality in transport gateway to Morden urban areas. Hall Park, river and wildlife areas – making this accessible In addition, each tram can carry to more people over 200 passengers – equal to nearly 3 double-decker buses ■ Improvements to open space or 2 bendy-buses. Trams take including the South Norwood up less road space than buses. County Park and Wandle Park, Less cars and fewer buses mean and the creation of 11 acres less congestion. of new public space in previously neglected and Tramlink has eased local overgrown areas. congestion, achieving a 4% reduction in the annual average daily flow of traffic. (NAO report Improving Public Transport in England through light rail) 4203 SLT brochure 6/21/04 19:09 Page 8 South London Trams Good for Regeneration Beddington Cross Ikea shoppers Unemployment has been In addition, better and more Employers have benefited as a The modern cosmopolitan image reliable training and jobs have been result of the tram’s long operating of the tram has had a significant reduced. Between 2000- brought within reach of people day. New areas for recruitment effect on the visual appeal of 2002 unemployment in living on isolated housing estates. have opened up as staff can be town centres. Streets are more recruited from further afield. pleasant, less congested and less areas served by the tram Local businesses and the retail Employers state that they have polluted, making them better fell by 9.3% more than industry have benefited. Most seen an increase in the punctuality places for leisure and relaxation, describe the tram as having a and productivity of their workforce which in turn helps to attract areas not served, with positive effect, helping to raise due to the tram’s reliability. new investment. one area, Fieldway, their profile and increase customer and business activity. “[The Tram] has Extensions to the network seeing unemployment Weekend patronage of the tram will give a new development fall by over 35%. serving certain shopping areas opened up areas impetus and potential is far higher than the average. [for recruitment] like investment to a further six Tramlink has helped to attract town centres and will offer inward investment by creating New Addington and improved access to 160 new fast public transport links Mitcham because sites where development and encouraged development on the early tram meets opportunities exist. The industrial estates along the route. extensions pass through some our requirements” of the highest unemployment Large shift-based employer areas in south London – in Croydon – ‘Economic and bringing improved access regeneration impact of Croydon to training and jobs for Tramlink’, Colin Buchanan and those residents. Partners, 2003. 4203 SLT brochure 6/21/04 19:09 Page 10 South London Trams Good for Health and Local Prosperity Sutton Junior Tennis Club indoor court Purley Hospital By helping to reduce air Pupils attending schools along the The extensions to Tramlink The London Sustainable route of Tramlink use the tram to could provide fast and reliable Development Commission pollution, contributing to travel to and from school, with transport to major hospitals in has set challenging indicators reduced unemployment many schools and colleges using south London that are currently for a sustainable London. this as a key marketing tool. only accessible by bus or car. An extended tram network and improving access to This would significantly improve in south London will make parks, Tramlink has a Economically, the tram has a access to health services for a significant contribution to: positive impact on residential people living in some of south positive impact on south property. Areas served by Tramlink London’s poorest areas and ■ Increased labour force Londoners’ health. saw a rise in property prices and, to those, predominantly older, participation by improving since Tramlink opened, property people who do not have access access to jobs prices in Croydon have risen by to a car. 4% more than in areas not ■ Reduced road traffic volumes served by the tram. The extensions will also by reducing the need for car improve public transport access based travel and replacing to local sports facilities such some buses as Crystal Palace, the Sutton ■ 2 Arena and the Sutton Junior Reduced CO emissions and Tennis Centre. improved air quality by using electricity rather than petrol Extensions could aid access to or diesel a proposed development in ■ Streatham, including a leisure More pupils and students centre and ice rink, placing it using public transport to within easy reach of half a travel to school or college million south London residents. The tram has brought a new sense of civic pride and belonging to many parts of south London – people are proud of their tram and enjoy using it. Extensions will contribute to a sustainable south London. 4203 SLT brochure 6/21/04 19:09 Page 12 South London Trams The Financial Case Tramlink was built as a Major infrastructure projects Although the initial investment Developing light rail utilising old require a large amount of capital cost is high – over a thirty year heavy rail routes and adding to private/public funded expenditure up front – this is the timeframe – taking the initial an existing system is more cost project with the private case for roads and trains as well investment and annual operating effective than developing light rail as trams.