Two Croydon tram sections stay shut as engineering runs to 30 August

Two sections of Croydon's 39-stop tram network are closed for engineering work that has run since 6 August, and TfL's status page now lists the line at part closure.

TfL's disruption record states: "From Thursday 6 until Sunday 23 August, no service between Reeves Corner and East Croydon." The same record adds that additional works apply on Sunday 16 and Thursday 20 August.

The Reeves Corner closure is the more severe of the pair: no service at all, all day, for 18 days.

The Arena to Elmers End closure is the longer, at 25 days. TfL's record states: "From Thursday 6 until Sunday 30 August, no service between Arena and Elmers End at certain times." It sets those times as before 0700 and after 1930 Mondays to Fridays, before 0800 and after 1845 on Saturdays, and all day on Sundays.

For riders, the Reeves Corner closure is the one that bites. TfL's route data shows trams from Wimbledon reach the centre of Croydon through Reeves Corner, Centrale, West Croydon and Wellesley Road before East Croydon.

Cutting that section detaches the whole Wimbledon branch, and the Merton and Mitcham stops along it, from the town centre and from the interchange at East Croydon.

TfL's route data names the network's termini as Wimbledon, Elmers End, Beckenham Junction and New Addington. Two of them are affected: Elmers End loses its early and late service, and the Wimbledon branch stops short of the centre.

TfL's tram pages publish no passenger numbers for the network or for the closed sections. Its Travel in London index lists seven 2025 reports, including one on public transport demand and operational performance, but carries no tram journey figure on the page, and those reports were not available to consult. The record gives no measure of how many journeys the two closures displace.

The status page lists no replacement bus and no ticket acceptance on other operators for either closure. It directs passengers to replan the journey.

TfL's page on the network states that it manages the tram network, sets frequency and performance specifications, does the maintenance and collects the fare revenue. Tram Operations Limited, a subsidiary of First Group, runs services day to day. A tram fare is £1.75, which buys unlimited bus and tram journeys within an hour on pay as you go.

The record gives the end dates. Reeves Corner to East Croydon is due to reopen after Sunday 23 August, with extra works before then on 16 and 20 August. On 16 August there is no service between Therapia Lane and East Croydon from 2200 to 2230, and on 20 August none on that section from 2200. The Arena to Elmers End restrictions are due to end after Sunday 30 August.