No money for north-east London tram - council

Plans for a new tram route through north-east London have stalled due to a lack of funding at the local town hall.

Havering Council had said it would investigate the possibility a north-south tram through the borough, as most of the area's Tube and rail connections only provide for east-west connections with central London or Essex.

In August 2023, the council's leader, Ray Morgon, said the Havering Residents Association-run authority would commission a new feasibility study to "scope out" whether a tram or other transport upgrade could become a reality.

Almost two years on, the authority said no further research into the concept was carried out "because we do not have the finances to do so".

A council spokeswoman said: "We have as yet not commissioned the further phases of the study, which would include an assessment of options and developing a strategic outline business case.

"However, we are expecting some positive developments in the borough which will enable us to fund further work on this through obtaining Section 106 monies and other funding."

The mention of "Section 106 monies" is a reference to funding secured by the council under so-called Section 106 agreements, where developers agree to provide a sum of cash to improve local services as a condition of being granted planning permission for a new housing or infrastructure scheme.

While a precise route for the tram has not been detailed, the council previously suggested it could run from Harold Wood through Romford and Upminster and on to the proposed railway station at Beam Park in Rainham – the location of a new housing development encompassing thousands of homes.

Havering's spokeswoman added: "We have not been idle around this and have been lobbying for greater investment in our infrastructure."

In February 2024, just months after Morgon had confirmed the council's plan to press ahead with exploring the concept, Havering was said to be on the brink of bankruptcy.

The authority was only able to sign off on its budget for the coming year thanks to a £54m government loan after agreeing to cost-cutting measures, including a review of bin collections, dimming streetlights and funding of Christmas decorations.

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