The 19-kilometre route will go from the city's waterfront and Kirkby, through Norris Green and Croxteth.

Funding for the scheme was approved by the government in December last year and will see trams return to the city's streets by 2007.

It is the first phase of the network proposed by Merseytram, the company set up to run the system.

There are also plans to link Liverpool city centre with John Lennon Airport and Speke, and a line to Huyton and Prescot.

The consultation period will last for five weeks after which the final plans will be submitted to the government.