Boris backs tram extension to Crystal Palace (From Streatham Guardian)

Boris backs plans to extend tram to Crystal Palace

7:30am Wednesday 6th June 2012 in News By Rachel Blundy

Plans to extend a tram service to Crystal Palace have been given an early backing by Mayor Boris Johnson.

At the first Mayoral question time since his re-election last month, Mr Johnson agreed to honour his pledge for the £200million expansion, despite dropping it when he first came to power four years ago.

Feasibility studies for the changes to the Croydon Tramlink, which currently runs from New Addington to Wimbledon, are being drawn up by bosses at Transport for London (TfL).

Steve O’Connell, London Assembly member for Croydon and Sutton, who questioned Mr Johnson on his pledge, said: “I think it was important as early as possible to pin the mayor down and remind him of his commitment.”

Crystal Palace is presently served by London Overground trains, Southern trains and London buses.

A £3.5million upgrade of the town’s station, which is used by 11,000 passengers every day, is due to be completed by 2013.