Tram passengers across Croydon and beyond are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra travel time, as multi-million-pound track renewal work forces significant changes to services throughout August. Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed the programme will run for nearly four weeks, affecting the busiest section of the network through Croydon town centre.
The project will replace worn track, drainage and points along 770 metres of the central town centre loop, some of the oldest infrastructure on the network, installed when trams returned to Croydon in 2000.From 9pm, Wednesday 5 August: Most services will finish earlier than usual, as preparations begin. Thursday 6 August to Sunday 30 August: The entire stretch between Reeves Corner and East Croydon will close to trams. Five stops, that is, Centrale, Church Street, George Street, Wellesley Road and West Croydon, will remain shut for the full duration.
Trams will operate on split routes:
Wimbledon ↔ Reeves Corner
East Croydon ↔ New Addington
East Croydon ↔ Beckenham Junction
East Croydon ↔ Elmers End (with later start and earlier finish times)
Additional late-evening disruption is also scheduled for Sunday 16 August and Thursday 20 August, when further overnight work will take place.
TfL says the closure is timed to coincide with school holidays to minimise impact on peak commuter and student travel, though it acknowledges disruption will still affect shoppers, hospital visitors and leisure travellers.
London Trams general manager Mark Davis said:
“This section of track has reached the end of its operational life. We have seen a steady rise in unplanned delays and speed restrictions in recent months, caused by failing rails and drainage. Doing this work now in one concentrated period, means we can deliver a more reliable, safer network for the 30 million passengers who use our trams every year, without dragging out smaller closures over months.”
Engineers will also carry out essential upgrades to signalling and power supplies, while the rare trial of anti-clockwise running around the loop, first tested during construction in 1999, has been used to ensure trams can still access the depot for maintenance while the central section is sealed off.
Passengers making journeys across the closed section have several alternatives:
The distance between East Croydon and Reeves Corner is roughly 10–15 minutes on foot; improved cycle links along the route offer a faster alternative.
TfL has confirmed existing routes including the 64, 109, 130, 157, 197, 250 and 405 run along the town centre corridor, accepting all standard tram ticketing including Oyster, Contactless and Freedom Passes. No special replacement bus service will be laid on, as existing capacity is judged sufficient.
Live updates are available via the TfL Go app, the TfL website, and station announcements. Croydon Council’s cabinet member for transport, Cllr Andrew Price, said:
“We know this will cause frustration, but this investment is long overdue. A reliable tram network is the backbone of public transport in our borough. We are working closely with TfL to ensure information is clearly displayed at stops, in shops and online, and that businesses and community groups are kept fully informed.”
The announcement comes amid wider debate over the future of Croydon’s tram service. Passenger numbers have recovered strongly since the pandemic, and pressure is growing for extension proposals, including links to Crystal Palace and Bromley to be revisited.
Last year, an independent review highlighted that 40% of track on the network was due for replacement or upgrade by 2028 and warned that delaying investment would lead to more frequent breakdowns and higher costs in the long run. This August’s works form the first major phase of that rolling programme.
Passengers with queries can contact TfL customer services on 0343 222 1234, or visit tfl.gov.uk/trams for the full timetable of changes.
