Croydon tram network hit by track blockages

"Figures released to the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that cars, vans and even emergency vehicles have obstructed the Tramlink route almost every month since November 2019. The issue is particularly acute in central Croydon, where trams pass through narrow streets and have little room to manoeuvre."

"While some incidents last only a few minutes, others have caused major disruption - in one case, a 46-minute blockage wiped more than 130 kilometres of scheduled services from the timetable. George Street, a designated pedestrian and cycle zone, was identified as a hotspot for tram hold-ups, with Church Street the second most affected location."

"TfL data also indicated repeated delays caused by emergency services. Ambulances, fire engines and police vehicles attending incidents have all been recorded stopping directly on the tracks. In one case, a police car was parked inside the Church Street tram stop."

South London's Tramlink service faces persistent disruptions caused by vehicles obstructing the tracks since November 2019. Cars, vans, and emergency vehicles regularly block the route, with central Croydon experiencing the most severe issues due to narrow streets limiting maneuverability. George Street and Church Street are identified as primary hotspots for delays. Emergency services including ambulances, fire engines, and police vehicles have also caused blockages while attending incidents. Market traders and residents attribute the problem partly to insufficient short-term parking availability and high parking charges in the town centre. TfL warns that obstructing the tramway constitutes a criminal offense.

Read at www.bbc.com