BUSINESS leaders have thrown their weight behind a multi-million pound super tram system for Hampshire.

They say it is vital to ease traffic congestion in and around Southampton.

That was the message which came out of a recent meeting of Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Southampton City Council.

The project, developed by the LEP would see trams run from Eastleigh, past the airport, down to a new station at Southampton St Mary’s, on to an interchange at Royal Pier, then back up to Westquay and Southampton Central railway station.

The plan also envisages the network – which could be a tram or a light railway – be extended west to Romsey and from there back to Eastleigh, and eastwards to Segensworth along with another spur heading south down the Waterside to Marchwood.

Tim Keeping, chairman of Southampton Business Improvement District (GO Southampton), which represents the views of Southampton businesses said: “We believe there is a real opportunity to create a dynamic, thriving cultural scene in the city.

“Making it quicker, easier and more reliable for people to get around the city and wider area car-free via Solent Metro would boost our efforts at Go Southampton to achieving this.”

Mark Baulch, head of policy and representation at Hampshire Chamber of Commerce added: “The Hampshire Chamber of Commerce endorses the need for innovative transport solutions for the Solent corridor, the first phase of which could be the Solent Metro.

“The chamber has been exploring ways to alleviate the problems of road congestion that the Solent region currently endures and welcomes plans to help reduce the cost of this to local businesses.”

Originally, the concept was designed as a solution to highlight the need for an integrated transport network to promote growth in the region and to cut congestion which the LEP says costs the Hampshire economy £400 million per year.

The LEP envisages the scheme would bring game-changing efficiencies for businesses and organisations seeking better connections to their customers, workforces and potential labour pools.

Simon Letts, city council leader said: “Our businesses, our city and our economy are growing every day, but the benefits of this are being limited by congestion on our roads.

“If Southampton is to achieve its potential and become a future-facing city that can compete globally, we must better connect local people with the opportunities being created.

“Solent Metro is the key to unlocking this vision.”

Gary Jeffries, Solent LEP chairman, said: Solent Metro is our vision for the truly modern, fast and reliable public transport network our region needs to get moving again, boost our business productivity and profit margins, and catalyse further transformational investment into the area. So far, this ambition has been met with support from the business community.”

The LEP has commissioned a feasibility study into the project.

However, councillor Sean Woodward, the leader of Fareham Borough Council and a LEP director says he doubts funding from central government would be available despite supporting the concept.

“Unless HS2 is cancelled, central government funding would be unlikely and there would be no point in spending large amounts of money on consultancy reports,” he said.

The last trams ran in Southampton on February 4, 1950 – almost exactly 50 years after the first service began in the city.