FOI request detail

Tram Speeds Following Sandilands

Request ID: FOI-1968-1819
Date published: 26 November 2018

You asked

If possible, I would be grateful for the following information, please. 1) Since the 2016 tram derailment, in Croydon, on November 9, how many times (if any) have trams travelled faster than 12mph or 20km/h? Specifically, I am asking about the trams which travel on the route from Beckenham Junction and Elmers End, through New Addington. And I am asking how many times trams on this route have travelled faster than 12mph or 20km/h when leaving Lloyd Park tram stop and approaching Sandilands station. If there are instances of this, I am asking how many times trams have went above the speed limit since November 9, 2016, to the most recent available date in 2018 please. 2) Please can this data be broken down in the following way: x Date at which an instance of driving over the speed limit happened x An indication of what speed the tram was driving at x Where on the route the higher speed was reached

We answered

Our Ref:          FOI-1968-1819

Thank you for your request received on 29 October 2018 asking for information about tram speeds following the derailment at Sandilands.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require. You asked:

1) Since the 2016 tram derailment, in Croydon, on November 9, how many times (if any) have trams travelled faster than 12mph or 20km/h?

Specifically, I am asking about the trams which travel on the route from Beckenham Junction and Elmers End, through New Addington. And I am asking how many times trams on this route have travelled faster than 12mph or 20km/h when leaving Lloyd Park tram stop and approaching Sandilands station.

If there are instances of this, I am asking how many times trams have went above the speed limit since November 9, 2016, to the most recent available date in 2018 please.

Trams are permitted as part of their normal timetable to travel in excess of 12mph /20km/h on sections of this route.

2) Please can this data be broken down in the following way:
• Date at which an instance of driving over the speed limit happened
• An indication of what speed the tram was driving at
• Where on the route the higher speed was reached

Since 9 November 2016 there has been one recorded incident of a tram exceeding the speed limit between Lloyd Park and Sandilands at Sandilands junction. This was on 1 February 2017 travelling towards Sandilands stop. The tram passed a 20 km/h Temporary Speed Restriction sign at a recorded speed of 29 km/h (please note that speed radar detection devices have an accuracy tolerance). This incident was investigated by the Operator - FirstGroup, and appropriate action taken with the member of staff involved.

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.

Yours sincerely

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

[email protected]

Back to top

Want to make a request?

We'll email you the response within 20 working days.


We'll publish the response online without disclosing any personal information.