10:05am Sunday 8th July 2007
AN apparent climbdown by London Mayor Ken Livingstone in his support for the controversial West London Tram (WLT) scheme has been welcomed by Ealing Council leader Jason Stacey.
In an interview on ITV's The London Debate last week Ken Livingstone said: "If we get Crossrail we will review whether or not we proceed with the tram."
The proposed £800 million tram would run down the Uxbridge Road replacing the regular bus services and has met with stiff opposition from the council and residents groups.
Cllr Stacey said: "I think that this is a positive step forward. As a council we have long argued that Crossrail is important for West London and have supported the Mayor of London in this.
"If the tram doesn't go ahead he has said he will look at schemes to try and make busses up and down the Uxbridge road quicker, which is something that we have always suggested."However sensible discussions on this idea can't go ahead until the plans for the tram have ben scrapped."
The Crossrail scheme aims to provide a mainline train service right across the centre of London and is currently awaiting Government approval in Parliament.
Mr Stacey said:"I have heard rumours that there will be an announcement on the Crossrail project within the next month and if that happens we will support it."
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