Our Ref:         FOI-0780-1718

Thank you for your request received on 28 June 2017 asking for information about trams speeding on the network.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and TfL’s information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require.

Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the tragic derailment which occurred on 9 November, and we will continue to work to ensure that we offer those affected any support they need.

Following the derailment we carried out a thorough safety assessment and took the advice of an independent panel of tram experts as part of a rigorous safety assurance process before resuming services.

We will continue to assist the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, the British Transport Police and the Office for Rail and Road with their ongoing investigations into this tragic incident.

Further information is available on our website: https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/trams/croydon-tram-derailment

This page will be updated regularly.

Following the crash, we introduced additional speed restrictions on the approach at Sandilands and three other bends on the tram network. We also installed chevrons at these sites and new digital signs to warn drivers of the speed limit.

We are continuing to explore the development of in-cab systems for monitoring and managing tram speed to provide live tracking and speed warnings.

You asked specifically for:

• Please can you release data from Tram Operations Limited, given to Transport for London, on how many trams have been caught speeding on the network since the tram crash on November 9.
• How much was the tram speeding by and in what speed zone?
• How many of the drivers were given warnings or what other disciplinary action, if any?

The table below shows the reports made by Tram Operations Limited (TOL) of the number of speeding events detected, along with any action taken. As you can see many of the speeding events do not require any action as these are 1 to 3kph over the speed limit (and within the allowance for error). Tram drivers are employed by TOL, and so the outcome of any disciplinary action they take against their employees is confidential to them but in these instances, we are informed whether the driver received a ‘briefing’ or whether ‘action’ was taken.

The oversight panel established to review the resumption of service following the derailment remains in place. This comprises senior representatives from FirstGroup and TfL to provide assurance of the infrastructure and operator mitigations. It also provides a forum for us to review FirstGroup’s safety performance and management arrangements. We continue to monitor the enhanced driver management arrangements FirstGroup have put in place, which includes the more frequent programme of speed checks, fatigue management and counselling.

 Period 9 (13/11/16 to 10/12/16) Period 10 (11/12/16 to 07/01/17) Period 11 (08/01/17 to 04/02/17) Period 12 (05/02/17 to 04/03/17)
Number of Readings Taken 879 486 290 332
Number of Speeding Events Detected 13 - 1 of which required action 11 - 2 of which required action 23 - 1 of which required action 8 - None of which required any action
 55kph in 50kph - Driver briefed 34kph in 25kph - Actioned 29kpn in 20kph - Actioned 
 Wandle Park east bound Mitcham Foot crossing Sandilands west bound 
  15kph in 10kph - Driver Briefed  
  West Croydon  
    
 Period 13 (05/03/17 to 31/03/17) Period 1 (01/04/17 to 29/04/17) Period 2 (30/04/17 to 27/05/17) Period 3 (28/05/17 to 24/06/17)
Number of Readings Taken 1271 1425 1682 1196
Number of Speeding Events Detected 36 - 6 of which required action 9 - none of which required any action 20 - none of which required any action 8 - none of which required any action
 16kph in 10kph - Actioned   
 Depot   
 15kph in 10kph - Driver briefed   
 Depot   
 40kph in 35kph - Driver briefed   
 Reeves Corner   
 25kph in 20kph - Driver briefed   
 Larcombe Close wb   
 14kph in 10kph - Driver briefed   
 Tamworth Road/Church Street   
 17kph in 10kph - Actioned   
 Depot   

If this is not the information you are looking for please feel free to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Gemma Jacob
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London

[email protected]