Commuters are to be asked for their views on plans to build a �300m tram network crossing the River Thames in London.

The scheme, to be called Cross River, will run from Camden through central London to Peckham and Brixton.

Carrying an estimated 72 million passengers a year, the project could reduce journey times on some routes by half.

Cross River was one of four light transit schemes unveiled by London Mayor Ken Livingstone in a document which also revealed plans to introduce congestion charging for traffic entering the capital.

The route of the new scheme will be from Elephant and Castle, over Waterloo Bridge, up to Euston and through to Camden Town.

2007 start

One of the main aims is to ease overcrowding on the Northern and Victoria London Underground lines.

Mr Livingstone said the plans to improve transport in the capital were "the most comprehensive and ambitious" ever seen.

Construction will not start before 2004 with the service expected to open three years later.

A consultation period, during which the public will asked for its views on Cross River, must be completed before the scheme goes to the government for approval.

Two other schemes have just finished their consultation periods - Greenwich Waterfront Transit and the East London Transit.

The fourth, Uxbridge Road Transit, will begin consultation in the next few months.