There will be no trams through Croydon town centre for two weeks later this month, as Transport for London conducts track works as part of its programme to renew “infrastructure and ensure a safe and reliable service”.
Disrupted: there will be no tram services in central Croydon for two weeks later this month
These “essential track works” will begin from 10pm on Sunday, July 13 and continue until July 27. “Services will return to normal from the start of service on Monday July 28,” TfL say. “No tram service will serve Croydon town centre during these works.”
Around 300 metres of new track will be laid between West Croydon and Wellesley Road tram stops, while track sleepers are being replaced on the Wandle Park flyover between July 23 and 27, when a tram replacement bus service will operate between East Croydon and Waddon Marsh.
TfL’s service changes are:
- On 13 July, there will be no service after 10pm to or from Elmers End or between East Croydon and New Addington to prepare for the works to start
- Between July 14 and 22, no London Trams service will operate between East Croydon and Reeves Corner or to or from Elmers End
- Between July 23 and 27, no London Trams service will operate between East Croydon and Wandle Park or to and from Elmers End
During the closure, passengers can use local bus services, TfL says. “A small number of bus stops will be suspended where the works are taking place, and notices will be in place to direct passengers to the nearest alternative stop.”
TfL advises that between Reeves Corner and Sandilands, it is a 30-minute walk, or 19 to 21 minutes by bus (119, 198, 466) and walking, or an eight-minute cycle.
Between Reeves Corner and East Croydon, it is a 15-minute walk, 14 to 15 minutes by bus (64, 198, 119) and walking, and a three-minute cycle.
The Hopper fare continues to be available for adult pay-as-you-go passengers, giving unlimited journeys on buses and trams for £1.75 when made within one hour of touching in. This means passengers should pay no more than normal to complete their journey during these works.
Information regarding these temporary changes and travel advice will be displayed at tram stops and customers are encouraged to plan ahead and consider alternative travel options.
Passengers “are advised to use real-time travel tools, including Journey Planner and TfL Go”, TfL says.
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It is disappointing that TfL are only “replacing track sleepers” on the Wandle Park flyover, and not doing a bigger project to double up the track over that flyover, as that is the biggest bottleneck on the tram system, with trams often having to wait at Wandle Park tramstop or under the Roman Way/Jubilee Bridge flyover for a tram coming the other way over the single track bridge..
There are several other single track sections on the line to Wimbledon, but those are shorter and this flyover over the West Croydon to Waddon railway line is the worst.
New track in West Croydon, but why no service to Elmers End?
That part of the tram was closed for 2 weeks in April. Why the need to repair what was only done a few months ago? Great planning TfL (sarcasm!).
The problem with the tram system is the tight curves, particularly at Wellesley road and Sandilands junction, the, newer, Stadlaer trams have fixed bogies which means that the wheels grind the track away as they are forced around the curves. As for the single line section at Wandle Park, it was a matter of expense when the system was built, like a lot of the infrastructure, cheaper the better!