Planned Tram Strikes at Wimbledon – What You Need to Know
London Trams are scheduled to experience strikes beginning this Sunday until Monday, 8th July and then again from Thursday, 11th July until Monday, 15th July. These disruptions may impact your travel plans for the Wimbledon Championships.
Transport for London (TfL) is recommending that passengers make advance plans, seek alternative routes, and allocate additional time to complete their journeys. Those intending to visit Wimbledon over the next few weeks should remain informed and prepared for potential disruptions caused by these strikes.
If the strikes do occur, there will be a reduced and disrupted service across the entire London Trams network on specific days. To minimize inconvenience, customers are advised to complete their journey by 6pm on the affected dates. Additionally, walking or cycling for local journeys is suggested, with the expectation that London Buses and London Overground will continue to operate as usual, albeit potentially busier than normal.
Navid Golshan, the general manager for London Trams, has appealed to Unite the Union to come to a resolution and prevent the occurrence of these strikes. This appeal is in response to Unite’s claim that its members were being paid significantly less than their counterparts at London Underground and are seeking pay parity.
The situation has reached a point where Unite has opted for industrial action, citing TfL’s failure to address the pay disparities. As a result, TfL staff and Travel Ambassadors will be deployed at the busiest parts of the London Trams network to assist customers with their onward journeys. Proactive measures are also being taken to inform travelers about the potential strike action, along with providing essential travel information via the TfL website and the TfL Go app.
The impact of these strikes coincides with the planned closure of the London Trams network on Saturday, 6th July and Sunday, 7th July for essential maintenance work. This will result in no trams running from East Croydon to New Addington, Elmers End, and Beckenham Junction, although rail replacement bus services and enhanced local bus services will be available.
These disruptions coincide with the start of The Wimbledon Championships between Monday and Sunday, 14th July. It is essential for attendees to stay updated with the latest travel information and consider alternative routes if necessary.
In conclusion, it is imperative for Wimbledon tennis fans to be mindful of the potential disruptions that may arise due to the planned tram strikes. Whether you are a local resident or an out-of-town visitor, taking proactive steps such as checking travel updates, allowing extra time for your journey, and considering alternative modes of transportation will help ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience at the Wimbledon Championships.