London tram strike: TfL warns of disruption due to walkouts and engineering works

Transport for London (TfL) has asked Londoners to check before they travel ahead of planned strike action at London trams later this week.

Unite members will walk out from Sunday March 24 to Thursday March 28, impacting the entire network.

The union says Croydon Tramlink staff are striking over pay, with member unhappy that London Underground staff can earn up to £10,000 more in the same roles.

TfL says that while tram services will run, there will be a reduced service.

Customers are advised to plan ahead, consider alternative routes, check before they travel and allow extra time to complete their journeys. No replacement bus services will be in operation.

In addition to the strike action, planned engineering works are set to begin on Friday March 29, continuing until Wednesday April 24.

No trams will run from East Croydon to New Addington, Elmers End and Beckenham Junction during that period, but rail replacement bus services and enhanced local bus services will be available.

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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.”

TfL says staff and 'travel ambassadors' will be deployed to assist customers on the busiest parts of the London Trams network in Addington Village, Beckenham Junction, East Croydon, Elmers End, West Croydon and Wimbledon.

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “For years, TfL has gotten away with paying Tramlink engineers substantially less than their colleagues on the London Underground. Not anymore – our members are sick of being treated as poor relations by TfL. They have Unite’s absolute support in striking for fair pay.”