Wimbledon tennis fans warned to plan ahead, with Tram strikes imminent
Due to planned strikes at London Trams over the next few weeks, Transport for London (TfL) is advising customers to plan ahead, consider alternative routes, check before they travel and allow extra time to complete their journeys.
From this coming Sunday until Monday, July 8, and from Thursday, July 11 until Monday, July 15, Unite the Union members who maintain the trams and infrastructure are planning to strike, impacting the London Trams network.
If the action goes ahead, there will be a reduced and disrupted service expected on the whole of the London Trams network for some of these days. Customers are advised to complete their journey by 6pm on the dates impacted.
Where possible, customers should consider walking and cycling for local journeys. London Buses and London Overground are expected to operate as normal but could be busier than normal.
Navid Golshan, general manager for London Trams, said: “We urge Unite the Union to work with us to find a resolution and call these strikes off.
“Customers planning to use London Trams services are encouraged 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.”
Unite say members are taking action because they are being paid much less than their colleagues at London Underground and are seeking parity.
Unite regional officer Bruce Swann said: “The blame for the disruption that will be caused lies squarely at the door of TfL. Our members have bent over backwards to give TfL the opportunity to resolve this dispute before more industrial action was called. Unfortunately, TfL has engaged in time wasting and obfuscation.
“Strikes could be avoided, but TfL needs to rapidly table a solution to the issues that have led to such large and unfair pay inequalities.”
TfL staff and Travel Ambassadors will be deployed on the busiest parts of the London Trams network to assist customers with their onward journeys. These locations include Addington Village, Beckenham Junction, East Croydon, Elmers End, West Croydon and Wimbledon.
TfL will run a wide-ranging communications campaign to ensure customers are aware the strike action is taking place and to help minimise any inconvenience wherever possible. This includes signposting customers to the latest travel information via tfl.gov.uk/strikes or the TfL Go app.
Additionally, on Saturday, July 6 and Sunday, July 7, there is a planned closure of the London Trams network for essential maintenance.
No trams will run from East Croydon to New Addington, Elmers End and Beckenham Junction but rail replacement bus services and enhanced local bus services will be available.
Customers using London Trams to attend The Wimbledon Championships between Monday and Sunday, July 14, should check before they travel and consider alternative routes where necessary.
Picture: TFL