Proposals to bring trams to Sutton will regenerate deprived areas, bring millions of pounds to the area and cut pollution, it has been claimed.

Detailed plans to bring the Tramlink scheme from Merton through Rosehill and St Helier, Angel Hill, Sutton town centre and to a terminal at Sutton station were unveiled by Sutton Council last night and backed by politicians and business leaders.

Under secretary for transport MP Norman Baker was at the launch event at Uno Tapas in Sutton High Street and gave the project his backing, telling an audience of business people of the benefits light railway projects, like Tramlink, have already given places all over the UK.

The proposals include a map showing where the tram will stop, how much it will cost to build and the economic benefits it will bring to the town. They also say the scheme will save the people of Sutton £76m in travel costs to central London over the next 30 years and slash journey times.

A second phase of the plan, which would come after the first phase and link the town centre to the Royal Marsden Hospital was also unveiled.

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How a tram in Sutton could look

A document, handed out at the launch, sets out how the scheme will also rejuvenate deprived areas including the St Helier estate by encouraging investment, improving access and widening the job market in the areas.

Councillor Colin Hall, deputy leader of Sutton Council, gave a presentation about the proposal. He said: "The council has made significant progress in the last few months in assessing the benefits and we are confident that it will reduce journey times to central London and cut travel costs by £76m over 30 years. It will improve access to places along the designated route.

"There will be £3,000 jobs in the construction of Tramlink in Sutton, it will improve access to Sutton town centre and it will improve air quality.

"These benefits will help businesses and residents here in Sutton."

Mr Baker added: "It's a win win for everyone. I fully support the works being done here in Sutton."

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(L-R_ Paul Burstow MP, Norman Baker MP, Sutton BID chief executive Ross Feeney and Tom Brake MP

Transport for London (TfL) is looking at the feasibility of introducing trams or light railways in locations around the capital including Bromley and Crystal Palace but it is up to areas to show they have the infrastructure, the financial backing from businesses and councils and the planning to support such a scheme before London Mayor Boris Johnson will give the go-ahead.

Sutton and Croydon's Greater London Assembly member, Steve O'Connell pledged to hand the council's document to Mr Johnson in person. He said: "This is a good piece of work, I think we all recognise the benefits the tram will bring to Sutton.

"There's no camp that's against it except for our competitors and from what I hear we are a margin ahead of Bromley."

Both Sutton and Cheam MP Paul Burstow and Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake were at the event and said they would back the plans.

Now the onus is on the businesses to demonstrate their backing of the scheme. Letters have gone out encouraging companies to come forward with ideas as to ways to influence Mr Johnson.