New Addington Transport Chaos Leaves Residents in 'Lockdown' Amid Tram Suspension
New Addington Transport Chaos Leaves Residents in 'Lockdown'

New Addington Transport Crisis Forces Residents into 'Lockdown'

The Croydon neighborhood of New Addington is experiencing what residents describe as transport 'bedlam,' with a combination of tram suspension and bus route changes creating severe isolation for over 20,000 people. The situation has become so dire that some residents are comparing it to the lockdowns of March 2020, with vulnerable individuals particularly affected.

Multiple Transport Disruptions Compound Isolation

New Addington is currently grappling with a perfect storm of transport problems. The area is in the second week of a tram suspension that has removed a crucial connection to Croydon town center and Greater London. Simultaneously, major roadworks along Lodge Lane and Kent Gate Way have created additional bottlenecks, while the 64 bus route—the main bus link between Croydon and New Addington—has been terminating prematurely at Gravel Hill.

This termination forces residents to walk the steep remaining stretch into the estate, creating particular hardship for elderly and disabled individuals. The Local Democracy Reporting Service has learned that some community members are now offering lifts to vulnerable residents who need to travel down Lodge Lane into Croydon for essential services.

Replacement Services Fail to Meet Basic Needs

Transport for London's bus replacement services have faced additional challenges this week. A ruptured water main on Upper Shirley Road disrupted the planned diversion route, preventing replacement buses from serving tram stops at Gravel Hill and Lloyd Park. This has left many residents completely stranded.

Local resident Lesley Fordham, who has a disability, told reporters the combined impact was forcing her into "lockdown, far worse than in March 2020." Other residents have taken to social media to express their frustration, with Tonia Donovan commenting: "It's totally out of order, creating bedlam everywhere."

MP Intervention and TfL Response

In response to the growing crisis, Natasha Irons, Labour MP for Croydon East, has written to Mark Davis, General Manager for London Trams at TfL. Her letter raises serious concerns about the adequacy of replacement services during the ongoing engineering works.

"While my constituents fully recognise the necessity of maintenance works to ensure the long-term reliability and safety of the network, they are experiencing significant disruption due to the limited and often unreliable replacement transport options currently in place," Irons wrote.

The MP detailed reports of infrequent shuttle services, overcrowding at peak times, poor timetable communication, and a lack of clear information both at stops and online. She emphasized that these issues have resulted in missed appointments, longer journeys, and considerable inconvenience for residents who rely on public transport to access shops, hospitals, and other essential services.

Irons has demanded that TfL explain how replacement services were planned and assessed, what steps are being taken to improve reliability and capacity, and whether additional measures will be introduced to address the crisis.

TfL's Position and Ongoing Works

No trams are currently running between East Croydon and New Addington until Wednesday, February 25, as part of a partial closure east of East Croydon station for essential track works. When approached for comment, TfL's Mark Davis acknowledged the recent issues with the rail replacement bus service.

"We know how important a reliable tram service is for our customers, and we invest millions every year to keep the network safe and running well," Davis said. "Sometimes that means closing parts of the tramway so we can carry out essential upgrades, but we always work to keep disruption to a minimum."

Davis explained that the emergency closure of Upper Shirley Road due to a burst water main had blocked part of the planned bus route. TfL teams moved quickly to introduce a shuttle between East Croydon and Gravel Hill to maintain connections, which will remain in place until emergency works are completed.

The transport authority emphasized that engineers often work around the clock to complete vital work, scheduling these activities during quieter school holiday periods whenever possible. However, for New Addington residents who lack car access and depend entirely on public transport, the current situation represents a severe breakdown in connectivity that has left the community feeling isolated and abandoned.