TfL advises London buses or walking as tram staff strike starts this week

TfL has advised customers to walk, cycle or use London buses or the Overground as London Trams workers are due to strike for four days, starting later this week. Unite the Union members are set to walk out from Sunday, May 5, until Thursday, May 9.

The staff taking industrial action are those that maintain the trams and infrastructure. Officials say residents should check before they travel as a 'reduced service' will operate on 'most strike days'.

Customers have also been told to 'consider' walking and cycling for 'local journeys'. Alternatively, London buses and the Overground are scheduled to operate as normal .

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Full breakdown of expected disruption

Below is a full breakdown of disruption expected on London Trams, according to TfL.

Sunday, May 5

• A normal London Trams service is expected to operate.

Monday, May 6, Tuesday, May 7, and Wednesday May 8

• No service expected before 07:00 or after 18:00 on the whole of the London Trams network.
• A reduced service will operate between:
• Wimbledon and Reeves Corner
• East Croydon and Beckenham Junction/New Addington
• No service will operate through Croydon town centre or to/from Elmer’s End all day
• Next tram information displayed at tram stops will offer limited information

Thursday, May 9

• Services are expected to start later than normal, with possible disruption throughout the day
• Next tram information displayed at tram stops will offer limited information

TfL says staff and Travel Ambassadors will be deployed on the busiest parts of the London Trams network to assist customers with their onward journeys. These include Addington Village, Beckenham Junction, East Croydon, Elmers End, West Croydon and Wimbledon.

Navid Golshan, General Manager for London Trams, said: “We urge Unite the Union to continue to work with us to find a resolution and call this strike off. Customers planning to use London Trams services are urged to check before they travel, allow extra time for their journeys, and check the TfL website or the TfL Go app for the latest travel information.”

It comes after planned strike action by Croydon Tramlink staff in March was suspended. The industrial action was set to start on Sunday, March 24, but, in the end, did not go ahead.

This was after TfL agreed to discuss pay disparities with the Unite union.

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