Report - London Borough of Hillingdon

REASONS FOR OFFICER RECOMMENDATION
In light of
• The second more detailed consultation by TfL on the West London Tram
proposals and the responses, particularly in relation to Hillingdon, and
• The recent response by TfL on the ‘Hayes/Phase 1’ option,
officers consider it appropriate that:-
a) Members revisit the Council’s current position of being a strong client in
respect of the Tram proposals, and
b) indicate to TfL whether or not they have an objection to the West London tram
proposals.
Recommendation 2 of this report relates to the most recent consultation on the tram
scheme and officers consider that the most appropriate way of formally responding
is with a Cabinet member report.
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
Not to respond to the consultation report and updated information on the Tram
scheme at this stage.
INFORMATION
1. The Cabinet, at its meeting of 28 th January 2003 considered a report on the
West London Tram (WLT) from Shepherd’s Bush to Uxbridge. The Cabinet
confirmed Hillingdon’s position as a “strong client” supporting Transport for London
(TfL) in the development of the proposals. This position indicated support in
principle for the tram proposals without being formally committed to it. This provided
the Council with flexibility in its views on the details of the scheme and allowed for
the possibility of objecting to the proposals should the details be unacceptable.
2. The WLT route along the Uxbridge Road is currently served by bus routes
427 into Uxbridge and 607, which the tram route would replace. The general
principle of the scheme is to retain both trams and general traffic along the entire
route, reallocating roadspace to allow these different modes to co-exist. In some
sections, the tramway is in the centre of the road, but elsewhere is located on one
side or the other of the Uxbridge Road.
3. In May 2002, the Mayor announced that, of the various schemes being
considered, he would give initial priority to the West London Transit, using trams,
and the East London Transit, which would be based on a guided busway. It was
intended that these schemes would go ahead first, with another two schemes going
ahead later. In this way, resources could be concentrated on the two more preferred
schemes. Over the last 2 years, TfL have been engaging Hillingdon officers in the
development of the proposals through regular technical working groups and for a
period of time held Steering groups with the three boroughs concerned and their
respective Portfolio holders for Transport. The latest detailed design drawings were
issued in May 2005 and Hillingdon officers continue to be consulted by the West
PART 1 – MEMBERS, PUBLIC AND PRESS
Cabinet report 10 th November 2005 Page 152