Croydon trams plans move on

Croydon's Tramlink project has been given the go-ahead by the House of Commons Opposed Bill Committee. The Committee approved the project in March, but proceedings were adjourned at the request of the promoter, Croydon Council and London Transport in order for the promoter to work out CPO compensation deals.

A deal has now been worked out and been approved by the Committee. The Bill will now go to its third and final reading in the Commons. If approved, the Council hopes to attain Royal Assent by the autumn. LT and the council aim to start prequalification around that time, but an actual start on Tramlink will depend on whether the project receives Government cash in the autumn budget.

The private sector partners, Tarmac, AEG and Transdev, are finalising details for the tender competition and working on concession terms for the design, build and operate contract and the specification terms for minimum performance standards. They are also working out just how much public money the scheme needs. Their proposals will be put to the Government, which will decide whether to put any money into the project or not.