Spurs plans hit by transport blow

Tottenham’s ambitions to stay at an improved White Hart Lane were dealt a blow today when a plan to build a new Tube station close to the ground was shelved.

The £50m (€70m) project to extend the Victoria Line to Northumberland Park would have helped to ease traffic chaos on match days and to regenerate the area.

It would also have been a significant factor in persuading the club to stay at White Hart Lane rather than looking for another home.

However, Spurs are now dependent upon Transport for London agreeing other major transport improvements to improve the viability of their current ground.

A London Underground spokeswoman confirmed that a three-month feasibility study had found that the proposed extension of the Victoria Line was “extremely expensive” and “not the best solution”.

She added: “It was found that there are other transportation options that could offer a better service in the area. These could include increased bus services or a review of the mainline rail services.”

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, who has revealed that his aim of staying at White Hart Lane is “conditional on a coherent transport policy being put together”, will await the findings of the Greater London Authority’s next study.

But he told the Evening Standard last December: “Without improved transport links, we can’t move on. We can’t sit here forever and a day hoping it’s going to happen.”