Tell Mayor and Chancellor that we need the tram, says regen boss

"The tram is an extremely important initiative and will bring huge benefits south of the river," says Cllr Richard Thomas, executive member for regeneration and a long-standing advocate of the Cross River Tram.

“To make this scheme happen we must all tell the Mayor and the Government that [the tram] is a priority and that it has support from businesses and local communities.

"I have written to both the Mayor of London and the Chancellor, and I hope local people will write to them too."

Southwark Council says that the tram will provide a fast transport connection in areas which currently rely on buses, giving currently excluded communities easier access to the opportunities of central London.

Linking Camden Town and King's Cross in the north with Brixton and Peckham in the south via Waterloo and Elephant & Castle, the Cross River Tram

Last month Ken Livingstone opened up the prospect that only the southern sections of the tram could be built with the sections north of the river to follow at a later date.

Transport for London is due to publish the results of the recent round of consultation on route options for the tram in the near future.

• Letters to the Mayor of London Ken Livingstone should go to City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA or [email protected]

• And letters to the Chancellor Alistair Darling should go to HM Treasury, 1 Horseguards Road, London SW1A 2HQ or [email protected]