Deal signed for trams network

(First Edition)

The return of trams to the streets of London came a step nearer yesterday when a deal was signed to pay for the initial costs of the Croydon tramlink.

Three companies have agreed to spend 'well over pounds 1m' to underwrite initial development costs of the pounds 140m project for an 18-mile network of tramways across south London: from Wimbledon to Beckenham Junction and New Addington via Croydon town centre.

A private parliamentary Bill on the schem is expected to have its second reading in the Lords next Tuesday.