Town centre tram loop set for track replacement in February

Transport disruption as closures will affect East Croydon and West Croydon and services to Elmers End for a 10-day period

There are more tram network closures planned for Croydon town centre, “as part of TfL’s programme to renew London Trams infrastructure”, coming up next month.

Transport for London will be replacing a section of track between Wellesley Road and East Croydon, with the works due to take place from Saturday February 15 until Sunday February 23.

“Services will recommence on Monday February 24,” TfL predicts.

During the works:

Saturday 15 February

• No trams will run between Reeves Corner and Sandilands, which includes the Croydon town centre loop. Local bus services will serve all nearby tram stops along these routes.
• No service between Arena and Elmers End.
• For customers planning to use Elmers End tram stop, you can take the 289 bus service from Elmers End interchange to either Addiscombe tram stop, or West Croydon. This bus runs every 12 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, the nearest alternative tram stop is Birkbeck, which is available via a short walk or local bus route 356 at bus stop B.
• Services will continue on the rest of the tram network as normal.

From Sunday February 16 to Sunday February 23

• No trams will run between Reeves Corner and East Croydon, which includes Croydon town centre loop. Local bus services will serve all nearby tram stops along these routes enabling customers to continue their journeys.
• No service between Arena and Elmers End.
• For customers planning to use Elmers End tram stop, you can take the 289 bus service from Elmers End Interchange to either Addiscombe tram stop, or West Croydon. This bus runs every 12 to 15 minutes. Alternatively, the nearest alternative tram stop is Birkbeck, which is available via a short walk or local bus route 356 at bus stop B.
• Services will continue on the rest of the tram network as normal.
• All roads around the works continue to be open to traffic as normal.

TfL says: “During the closure customers may find it easier to walk, cycle or use local bus services to complete their journeys. Local bus services, routes 64, 119, 130, 194, 198, 464 and 466, continue to be available but are expected to be busier than normal. Please allow extra time to complete any journeys.”

While the Croydon town centre loop is closed to trams for these planned works, additional “essential maintenance work” has also been scheduled including:

• Localised highway works at Tamworth Road and Church Street including surfacing repairs.
• Localised paving and drainage works in segregated sections at Church Street, Station Road and Wellesley Road.
• Platform works for Centrale, George Street and Church Street tram stops.
• General maintenance works throughout the town centre.
• Localised rail replacement work by Centrale tram stop.
• Rail repairs works near Tamworth Road.

“Taking the opportunity to complete this work as part of this planned closure minimises the need for future closures which would impact the service and customers using tram services,” TfL says.

Navid Golshan, TfL’s general manager for London Trams, said: “This planned maintenance is vital to ensure we can continue to offer customers a reliable service across the network. As part of this closure we have also taken the opportunity to undertake some additional essential works with an aim to minimise the need for future closures.

“I would like to thank customers for their patience while this takes place and would ask anyone travelling to plan ahead, allowing plenty of time for any journey.”

The Hopper fare continues to be available for adult pay-as-you-go customers, giving unlimited journeys on buses and trams for £1.75 when made within one hour of touching in. This means customers 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 passengers are advised to plan ahead and to use real-time travel tools including Journey Planner and TfL Go.

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