"We have serious doubts about the appropriateness of the tram in the Shepherds Bush area. We were hoping you could answer the following questions for us:

1) Why is the tram being built between Ealing and Shepherd's Bush? There is an obvious lack of public transport between Uxbridge and Ealing. The benefits would seem to be far less between Ealing and Shepherd's Bush, particularly given the cost and level of disruption a tram would bring in this area.
2) What will be the frequency of the off peak trams? Peak frequency looks good, but a similar frequency would have to be maintained to benefit local residents. Waiting, particularly at night, can be frustrating.
3) Are the passenger predictions merely a case of predict-and-provide? In addition, is this growth occurring along the entire tram line, or just particular sections. Again, it may not be necessary to bring the tram all the way to Shepherd's Bush if much of the demand will be in Hillingdon and Ealing.
4) What provision will be made for current bus users who will be deprived of a bus stop. The document implies there will be 50% fewer tram stops compared to 207/607 bus stops. We are concerned that transport provision will actually be reduced for those who rely on these services.
5) Reduced travel times are listed as a benefit. However, there cannot be that many people who travel the entire length of the 607 route from Uxbridge to Shepherd's Bush. A better comparison would be savings between particular destinations that people actually use: Acton-Shepherd's Bush, Southall-Ealing, Acton-Ealing, etc. This is particularly true since the document states most traffic on the Uxbridge Road is local."

The Lib Dems support improvements to public transport in West London but doubt the West London Tram is worth £648 million in construction costs and £19 million in annual subsidy. A tram maybe very beneficial to residents between Ealing and Uxbridge where transport provision is poor. However, the area between Ealing and Shepherd's Bush is well served transport. The Lib Dems also suspect the only justification for a tram to Shepherd's Bush is to improve access to the White City Shopping Development and not to improve transport for local residents.

Liberal Democrat spokesman Jon Burden said: "The documentation produced by Transport for London contains worrying contradictions. It claims that most traffic along the Uxbridge Road is local, travelling short distances, "often" only using the road for parts of north-south journeys. Yet all of the benefits attributed to the tram are based on travelling the length of the route. We want to know if the tram is being built to meet local needs or to create big-headlines
claiming the Mayor is doing something about congestion."

The document states that the 207 and 607 bus routes would most likely be discontinued. Trams stops are to be on average 500 meters apart and total less than 50% of the current 207/607 bus stops.

Jon Burden adds: "We do not understand how reducing the number of stops along the route can possibly encourage local residents to use public transport instead of their car. It appears to us that the tram will, at best, help long distance commuters and more likely massage Livingstone's ego."

The Liberal Democrats are encouraging residents to contact TfL with their comments on 0800 106 086 or visit their website at www.tfl.gov.uk/westlondontram.