Normal service has finally resumed on Croydon’s tram network, after two months of disruption and the complete closure of the lines to New Addington, Woodside and Arena, Elmers End and Beckenham Junction since the end of March.
Success story: after a month-long closure, the trams are back to running as normal today
Transport for London’s engineers and contractors finally started removing their barriers and hardware from around East Croydon Station this week.
It followed one of the longest, and largest, network closures since the trams came into service in 2000.
“Good news,” a spokesperson for Transport for London told Inside Croydon today.
“The works are all completed and we are operating a good service on the full London Trams network this morning.”
The “significant closure” of a large part of the tram network for “vital” works began on Good Friday, March 29, and came after another two-week closure of part of the network in February.
Track closures and engineering works are occurring with increasing frequency, reflecting the need to overhaul the 20-year-old tram infrastructure. Separately, TfL has put out for tender to replace its 24 oldest trams, which have been operating since the network opened in 2000.
Explaining the need for such a long and extensive closure of the network, a TfL source said, “We reviewed all options, including whether deferring this closure to August was possible, but due to the works being essential and unavailability of specialist contractors, we have to undertake the works at the earliest opportunity.
“Should the ‘switches and crossing’ units fail before the closure, there is a risk of needing to carry out a large, long-term partial closure of the network but with no notice for planning of resources and materials.”
It meant that a period including the school Easter holidays, when customer numbers, became a preferred option, with engineering teams often working through the night to minimise disruption.
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Then lo and behold an email advising that due to debris on the line affecting tram wheels there is severe disruption!