Transport for LondonHistory
Trams have been fully operational in Croydon since May 2000.
The trams continued until 1951 when they were closed and cleared away to make room for buses and cars.
It wasn't until 1986, when a study of Greater London transport was undertaken by London Transport and British Rail, that the re-introduction of the tram was seriously considered. Central Croydon was suffering from huge increases in motor traffic and the New Addington area had been highlighted as having poor public transport.
In 1990 Croydon Council and London Transport began working together to promote the Tramlink project. The public consultation carried out during 1991 showed considerable support for the project with over 80% of respondents thinking that Tramlink was a good idea.
In November 1991 the Croydon Tramlink Bill was submitted to Parliament and received Royal Assent on 21 July 1994, allowing London Regional Transport to facilitate the construction of Tramlink.
Whilst Parliament were considering the bill, Croydon Council, LT and three private companies worked together to start the design process. This group was disbanded in 1995 when Tramlink went out to tender across Europe. As with many new schemes, the contract available was a Design, Build, Finance and Operate Concession. The successful consortium was Tramtrack Croydon Limited (TCL) who now have a 99 year concession to run the system.
The Tramlink system commenced in 1997 and the trams have been fully operational in Croydon since May 2000.
