New Addington's Transport Chaos: Tram Closure Meets Roadworks Nightmare
Residents in the South London suburb of New Addington are bracing for what many fear will be a fortnight of severe transport disruption, as an upcoming tram closure collides with ongoing major roadworks. With over 20,000 people living in this community on the fringes of London, the combined impact threatens to exacerbate congestion and further isolate an area already struggling with connectivity issues.
Double Whammy of Disruption
Transport for London has announced that no trams will run between East Croydon and New Addington from Wednesday, February 11 to Wednesday, February 25. This partial closure east of East Croydon station, timed to coincide with the school half-term, comes on top of long-running roadworks on Lodge Lane that residents say have already created significant congestion.
The situation has left many commuters facing unreliable journeys. NHS worker Susan Hailstone, who lives in New Addington and works at Woodside Clinic in South Norwood, normally takes the 130 bus for her 8am start. However, the roadworks have left roads gridlocked, forcing her to adapt her routine dramatically.
"Since all the works have started I'm leaving 20 minutes earlier, getting on the bus around 6.50am," she told reporters. "It's taking 40 minutes just to get from Central Parade to Addington Village because everything is jammed and cannot move, which is making me late each day."
Residents Voice Their Concerns
For Lesley Fordham, a 70-year-old who has lived in New Addington since 1997 and remembers the area before the Tramlink opened in 2000, the disruption presents particular challenges. Living with a disability, she worries that the already congested Lodge Lane could make even essential trips much longer and more difficult.
"I am sure I just couldn't make a hospital appointment for the next two weeks," she said, adding that it is "not a risk worth taking." She knows others in the area will be "in the same boat."
While New Addington's Central Parade offers some amenities, many residents still rely on public transport to travel to Croydon for what they describe as "proper shopping." Lesley noted that buses like the 64 into Croydon are likely to become even busier during the closure, creating additional challenges for those who struggle with standing for long periods.
Broader Impact on Daily Life
Fellow resident Tay described the past few weeks of disruption as "unbearable," saying that regular delays and closures to the tram service have made it difficult to leave the area for work. "The tram is consistently late or missing during rush hour, meaning it's a struggle to get on a tram in the first place," she explained.
Tay added that replacement bus services, which operate when trams are down, are less frequent and "unfeasible" for commuting. Many residents have also complained that temporary traffic lights at the Headley Drive junction have caused severe congestion, with one journey out of the area taking 30 minutes compared to the usual three to five.
Additional Complications Ahead
The traffic congestion is set to worsen with additional roadworks on Kent Gate Way, which links New Addington with Selsdon and West Wickham at the bottom of the hill. A partial road closure will be in place from Friday, February 13 to Tuesday, February 23 due to the tram works, with residents advised to use alternative bus stops during this period.
Tay expressed a sentiment shared by many in the community: "Whenever there are roadworks or TfL disruptions it reminds me of how poorly connected New Addington is to Croydon and the rest of London. There needs to be major investment in public infrastructure to make commuting and travelling easier for the 20,000-plus residents."
TfL's Response and Essential Works
The upcoming tram closures will also affect services to Beckenham Junction and Elmers End, while trams will continue to run as normal between East Croydon and Wimbledon. Transport for London states that the works are necessary to carry out essential track renewals at Sandilands Junction and between Gravel Hill and Addington Village.
All tram stops will be served by replacement buses, except Lebanon Road, which is approximately a 450-metre walk from Sandilands. Mark Davis, TfL's General Manager for London Trams, acknowledged the disruption: "We recognise the disruption this closure may cause and are sorry for any inconvenience. These works are essential to maintain a safe, reliable network."
He added that renewing the track now will improve tram performance in the long term, helping to reduce the risk of defects and unplanned service disruption. The works have been timed to coincide with the school half-term to reduce the impact, with alternative transport options and clear travel advice provided to help customers plan ahead.
Transport for London has reminded customers that bus and tram journeys cost £1.75, with unlimited travel within an hour using the Hopper fare. They advise planning ahead, considering walking or cycling for short trips, and using the TfL Go app for real-time travel information.
