Planned closures of the Croydon tram network are up by more than two-thirds this year compared to 2025, according to official figures from Transport for London.
The light-rail system goes into this weekend with no services to New Addington, ahead of further disruption when the eastern half of the network closes for two weeks.
Essential track renewal works from October 24 to November 6 will see no service between East Croydon, New Addington, Elmers End and Beckenham Junction.
The increasing frequency and duration of closures highlight the fragility of the infrastructure after its first quarter-century in operation.
The frequency with which New Addington residents are being cut off from Croydon has prompted the area’s MP, Natasha Irons, to send a letter of complaint to TfL’s tram management.
The track closures stem from more than a decade of underinvestment in the system. This started when Boris Johnson was Mayor of London, who thrice promised to build a tram extension to Crystal Palace and broke his promise three times.
The decade since, under Labour Mayor Sadiq Khan, has not seen much better investment for what is supposed to be the London Trams network.
As with the ageing rolling stock — the first fleet of trams already past its expected service life — the closures reflect years of the system being treated as the poor relation of the capital’s transport infrastructure.
While billions have been spent on Tube extensions or earmarked for the Docklands Light Railway, Croydon’s trams have seen far less investment.
All the works being carried out are necessary to maintain the system and keep it safe for passengers. Yet the rising closures serve as a reminder of the network’s ageing infrastructure.
London Streets has been covering weekend Tube closures and Gatwick Express disruption today.
