The West London Tram project now seems unlikely to proceed following the announcement of a new agreement between Ealing Council and the Mayor of London.

The two parties, who previously had been in open warfare over the scheme, have now agreed that assuming Crossrail proceeds, the solution to traffic problems on the Uxbridge Road will be to enhance existing bus services rather build the tram which was projected to cost over £700 million.

Crossrail, the new high-frequency railway across Central London, is described by the Mayor as the single most important transport project for London. Crossrail stations are planned for Southall, Hanwell, West Ealing, Ealing Broadway, and at Acton Mainline, easing the pressure currently placed on the transport network, and meaning that residents of West London will have a high speed link into the West End, The City, and the Docklands.

Crossrail is expected to be completed in 2015. In the meantime, the Mayor and Ealing Council have agreed to work together with the other local boroughs to deliver an improved bus priority system along the Uxbridge Road, one of the busiest in London. This will be designed to increase capacity and reduce journey times for local people, and much of the work already carried by Transport for London on traffic congestion and the tram project will assist in the planning of the new bus-based solution.

Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London, said, "The construction of Crossrail will mean a massive improvement in public transport capacity serving West London. A positive decision on Crossrail will mean that substantially improved bus services become a practical alternative to a tram along the Uxbridge Road to meet the need for more public transport, boost the local economy and to deal with rising congestion in the area.”

Councillor Jason Stacey, Leader of Ealing Council said: "Residents have overwhelmingly expressed the view that the proposed West London Tram was not the answer to the area's transport problems. We have been working tirelessly over the last year to represent this view to the Mayor and TfL and to stop this scheme. The Council welcomes this announcement, and the positive indications that Crossrail will be given the go-ahead. Ealing's traffic problems require different solutions and we will be working constructively with TfL to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion in the borough.

Campaigners have long argued that the tram would lead to side roads becoming clogged up with cars rat-running though densely packed residential streets as well as killing off local shops along the route. The tram proposal had already cost £40million and was already more than 18 months behind schedule.

August 2, 2007