Tram opposers face green criticism (From Hillingdon Times)

Tram opposers face green criticism

8:20am Wednesday 14th March 2007

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FRIENDS of the Earth have criticised the council for investing £775,000 into the fight against the West London Tram.

The Ealing branch of the green group says the council is wasting taxpayers' money opposing the Mayor of London's tram plan, which they say would be beneficial to the area.

Spokesman Nic Ferriday said: "We have got used to the anti-tram lobby coming up with arguments ranging from dubious through spurious to downright bizarre.

"But seeing Ealing Council proposing to spend £775,000 of our money conjuring up such arguments for the benefit of a public inquiry takes tram opposition to a new level of absurdity.

"We have a council that says it is concerned about council tax and is prepared to cut services. Yet it is prepared to spend getting on for £1million opposing better public transport and opposing an investment of £648million which Ealing Council does not even have to pay for."

Friends of the Earth are in favour of the tram because they say it will improve journey times, reduce traffic, help regeneration, and reduce air pollution.

Mr Ferriday added: "The only real downside of the tram is that it will annoy car drivers who don't want to see trams, or buses, getting in the way of their cars.

"Sadly, it appears that Ealing Council is more interested in pandering to car drivers, mainly in central Ealing, than it is in better public transport, better health or a better environment."

But council leader Jason Stacey (Con, Greenford Green), says he does want to improve public transport - but does not see the tram as the answer.

He believes better bus lanes and the proposed East to West train line Crossrail are better alternatives.

"We are investing the money to fight against the West London Tram because that is what the people of Ealing want us to do," he said.

"We are not against more public transport. We want to see more bus lanes where appropriate and we are fully in favour of the plans for Crossrail.

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