Wimbledon tennis fans warned to plan ahead with tram strikes looming – South London News

Due to planned strikes on London’s trams over the next few weeks, Transport for London (TfL) is advising customers to plan ahead, consider alternative routes, check before traveling and allow extra time to complete their journey .

From this coming Sunday until Monday 8 July and from Thursday 11 July until Monday 15 July, members of the Tram and Infrastructure Maintenance Union United plan to strike, impacting London’s tram network.

If the action goes ahead, there will be a reduced and disrupted service across London’s tram network for some of these days. Customers are advised to complete their journey by 6pm on the affected dates.

Where possible, customers should consider walking and cycling for local travel. London Buses and London Overground are expected to operate as normal but may be busier than normal.

Navid Golshan, chief executive of London Trams, said: “We urge Unite Union to work with us to find a solution and call off these strikes.

“Customers planning to use London tram services are encouraged to check before they travel, allow extra time for journeys and check the TfL website or TfL Go app for the latest travel information.”

Unite says members are taking action because they are paid far less than their colleagues on the London Underground and are seeking parity.

Unite regional officer Bruce Swann said: “The blame for the disruption that will be caused lies squarely at TfL’s door. Our members have bent over backwards to give TfL the opportunity to resolve this dispute before more industrial action is launched. Unfortunately TfL have engaged in time wasting and obfuscation.

“Strikes could be avoided, but TfL must quickly put forward a solution to the problems that have led to such huge and unfair pay inequalities.”

TfL staff and Travel Ambassadors will be deployed in the busiest parts of London’s tram network to help customers on their journeys. These locations include Addington Village, Beckenham Junction, East Croydon, Elmers End, West Croydon and Wimbledon.

TfL will run a wide communication campaign to ensure customers are aware of the strike and help minimize any inconvenience wherever possible. This includes pointing customers to the latest travel information via tfl.gov.uk/strikes or the TfL Go app.

In addition, London’s tram network is scheduled to close for essential maintenance on Saturday 6 July and Sunday 7 July.

There will be no trams running from East Croydon to New Addington, Elmers End and Beckenham Junction, but rail interchanges and improved local bus services will be available.

Customers using London Trams to attend the Wimbledon Championships from Monday to Sunday 14 July should check before traveling and consider alternative routes where necessary.

Image: TFL

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