MP Natasha Irons broke off her busy schedule this week canvassing in north London for Labour’s candidate in the Holborn and St Pancras by-election to fire off a letter to Transport for London over the closure of half the tram network, including services to New Addington, for a fortnight’s track replacement works.
Still asking questions: MP Natasha Irons has yet to take up the poor tram service for her New Addington constituents with Lord Khan, Labour’s Mayor of London
Inside Croydon broke the news earlier this week of the extensive closures, with fields in South Norwood Country Park fenced off in preparation for the works, which are due to last from Saturday October 24 until Friday November 6. During this period, there will be no tram services between East Croydon and Beckenham Junction, Elmers End or New Addington.
TfL has yet to issues any formal press statement explaining the full extent of their planned works.
It’s unclear why the MP has not escalated the matter to Lord Khan, the Labour Mayor of London.
“Tram works again?!” Irons wrote before setting off to stuff more Labour leaflets through letterboxes in Holborn. Or St Pancras.
“I’ve written to the general manager for London Trams following the announcement of further track maintenance works and service suspensions.
“I recognise the need to maintain our transport infrastructure safely. But residents, understandably, are already frustrated by the frequency and scale of disruption.
Full complaint: MP Natasha Irons’ letter to Mark Davis at TfL
“I’ve asked for assurances on replacement bus capacity, clear passenger information and what is being done to reduce the need for repeated closures in future.”
In her letter to TfL’s Mark Davis, Irons said: “Residents are increasingly frustrated by the cumulative impact these repeated interruptions are having on their ability to travel reliably for work, education, healthcare appointments and other essential journeys…
“Constituents question why such extensive disruption continues to be required. It would be helpful to understand what investment and forward planning are being undertaken to minimise future closures and restore public confidence in the service.”
Inside Croydon recently interviewed TfL’s man in the hot seat, Mark Davis, about the state of infrastructure on the 25-year-old tram network. Our Under The Flyover interview is premium content free to paying subscribers to this website. Natasha Irons MP might consider taking out a subscription – she might get some answers to her questions, and she could probably claim the money back on her parliamentary expenses - Click here and pay to hear our exclusive interview on Spotify
Read more: Mayor Khan says he didn’t know Croydon trams need replacing
Read more: Kent Gate Way closure compounds New Addington tram misery
Read more: TfL report confirms decade delay over Croydon’s new trams
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