Over 1,000 people turned out on Haven Green as two rallies sought to persuade West Londoners about the benefits or otherwise of the tram.

Anti-tram group, Save Ealing's Streets planned the rally to mark the start of Transport for London's consultation on the controversial project on Saturday July 3rd. Despite over £1 million of public money having been spent on publicity for the consultation, Save Ealing's Streets claim that awareness of the project remains low. They say that many of the people attending were unaware of the details how the tram will work.

Ealing Friends of the Earth held a counter demonstration at the same location and said that the overall turnout did not reflect a high level of opposition to the tram. Christine Eborall of Ealing FoE said: “Save Ealing’s Streets refused to allow us to speak at their rally on Haven Green to explain the traffic implications and many benefits of the tram. This is because they don’t want people to hear the truth. They are still using scare tactics. Now they are saying that trees on Haven Green will have to be cut down if the tram goes ahead.”

The rally began with a poem about the tram by the Fire Poet, Philip Wells, a local resident. Robert Brooke argued that the tram will not provide increased passenger capacity in West London, and Anne Brown, a keen cyclist, spoke about the scheme’s impact on Acton. Martin Kelly argued that businesses will be damaged during the construction period, and should be compensated by TfL.

Tony Miller discussed the lack of integration with other transport systems, and Virginia Ironside suggested that the main aim behind the scheme is to get consumers to a new shopping centre at Shepherd’s Bush.

Speakers also included London Assembly members Lynne Featherstone and Richard Barnes plus prospective parliamentary candidate for the Ealing Acton and Shepherd's Bush constituency, Jonathan Gough (pictured left).

Mr Gough congratulated the organisers of Save Ealing's Streets who he said have become a very professional and responsible organisation and repeated his allegation that the Tram is the "environmental and financial solution of the madhouse".

TfL's Consultation Manager Mike Bartram was amongst the public and took comprehensive notes of everything that was said from both the podium and the floor, so he will have a lot to report back to the tram project team and to TfL's bosses.

TfL’s Head of Public Affairs, Bill Hamilton said, “We are providing a wide range of ways for people to have their say on the proposed West London Tram. People can give us their views, either on-line, at one of the public roadshows or by filling out the questionnaire sent to over 400,000 residences along the proposed route. People have three months to give their views until 8 October ”