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Hopes are growing amongst campaign groups that a new Transport for London survey could be a decisive turning point for the West London Tram scheme. Mayor Ken Livingstone has been an enthusiastic supporter of the scheme but has conceded that if the public were not behind the plan then he might be persuaded to scrap it.

Ealing Council leader Jason Stacey has called for the West London Tram scheme to be dropped immediately after the opinion poll was published. It shows there has been a shift of opinion with 44% of those interviewed now against the scheme compared to 40% in favour. In the previous poll, in 2005, 48% favoured the scheme whilst 37% were against it. The new survey also reveals the number of people strongly opposed has jumped from 25% in 2005 to 33% in just one year.

The Mayor is continuing to insist that the project should go ahead and has announced that he will be requesting a Transport Works Order so that production could begin in 2008. He is putting a brave face on the poll result saying that he thinks the remaining level of support for the Tram is 'remarkable.' He said his 'political opponents have been saying it will lead to the collapse of business, permanent gridlock on our roads, people dying and the return of the plague." He was backed by Jenny Jones of the Green party who said the project remained one of the best solutions to West London's traffic and pollution problems.

Despite the Mayor's bullishness it is felt by some transport industry insiders that the turn in public opinion could be fatal to the project's chances when it is subject to an official enquiry.

Opponents of the scheme claim that Transport for London constructed their survey to give the most favourable response possible. They argue that the real percentage of local people in opposition to the tram is much higher. The survey does not cover the Chiswick area which will be hit by much of the diverted traffic from the scheme.

Increasing opposition to the Tram
Location	Strongly opposed 2005	Strongly Opposed 2006
Acton	31%	39%
Ealing	37%	49%
West Ealing and Hanwell	30%	41%
Southall	17%	21%
Shepherd's Bush	23%	30%
Uxbridge	13%	20%

The numbers of those strongly in favour has also faltered, with only 19% currently strongly in favour compared with 23% a year ago.

The better the understanding the more likely residents are to oppose the scheme. Of those with a ‘good’ understanding of the scheme, 67% are opposed, of those with a ‘general’ understanding, 51% oppose, whilst those with a ‘limited’ understanding of the tram only 31% oppose.

Cllr. Stacey said, “The Mayor promised us that this poll would decide the future of the tram and I'm calling on him to stand by his word. “I like many Londoners will be astounded if the Mayor presses ahead with a billion pound scheme that people have clearly told him they don't want."

All the Councils along the route are opposed to the scheme. Prior to the May election only Ealing supported the plan but afterwards a unanimous, all-party decision was made to withdraw support.

October 20, 2006