Travelling on Croydon trams is the greenest form of transport in the capital, London mayor Boris Johnson has been told.
The mayor, who is urging an increase in the use of electric cars to reduce pollution, was told of Tramlink's green credentials by Valerie Shawcross.
Ms Shawcross, a former leader of Croydon Council, was attempting to persuade the Mayor to reinstate the axed extension to Crystal Palace into his latest transport strategy.
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Mr Johnson pulled the plug on the scheme towards the end of last year, claiming there was no money available in the Transport for London (TfL) budget.
The extension, it is said, would cost between £62 million and £170 million.
But Ms Shawcross, a Labour London Assembly member, claimed at Mayor's question time at London's City Hall last Thursday that the environmental benefits of Tramlink meant the extension should be reinstated.
Her figures, largely drawn from TfL's own 2008 environment report show trams emit 40 grams of polluting CO2 per passenger kilometre.
Family cars driving in London emit 176 grams, buses 83, the Underground 77.5, the Docklands Light Railway 75 and overground rail services 48.
Ms Shawcross told the Advertiser her hybrid car produced 104 grams and even Mr Johnson's favoured all-electric cars went as high as 60 grams as they drew power from the National Grid, which had to be included in any calculations.
http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk...transport/article-1032137-detail/article.html
The mayor, who is urging an increase in the use of electric cars to reduce pollution, was told of Tramlink's green credentials by Valerie Shawcross.
Ms Shawcross, a former leader of Croydon Council, was attempting to persuade the Mayor to reinstate the axed extension to Crystal Palace into his latest transport strategy.
Click here for more
Mr Johnson pulled the plug on the scheme towards the end of last year, claiming there was no money available in the Transport for London (TfL) budget.
The extension, it is said, would cost between £62 million and £170 million.
But Ms Shawcross, a Labour London Assembly member, claimed at Mayor's question time at London's City Hall last Thursday that the environmental benefits of Tramlink meant the extension should be reinstated.
Her figures, largely drawn from TfL's own 2008 environment report show trams emit 40 grams of polluting CO2 per passenger kilometre.
Family cars driving in London emit 176 grams, buses 83, the Underground 77.5, the Docklands Light Railway 75 and overground rail services 48.
Ms Shawcross told the Advertiser her hybrid car produced 104 grams and even Mr Johnson's favoured all-electric cars went as high as 60 grams as they drew power from the National Grid, which had to be included in any calculations.
http://www.thisiscroydontoday.co.uk...transport/article-1032137-detail/article.html