Croydon Tram Crash: Transport for London fined £10m for safety failings

Transport for London and Tram Operations Limited have been fined a total of £14m today at the Old Bailey in London after pleading guilty to offences under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Seven people died and many were injured when a tram was travelling at three times the speed limit overturned approaching Sandilands Junction in Croydon on the 9th November 2016.

Transport for London was fined £10m, and Tram Operations Limited was fined a total of £4m. Both companies pleaded guilty to offences alleging that they had done everything to ensure the safety of passengers on the network.

Safety measures are now in place following the accident to prevent trams over-speeding round tight curves.

Ian Prosser CBE, Chief Inspector of Railways, said:  “When faced with the evidence of their failure over a number of years, both TfL and TOL accepted that they had not done everything that was reasonably practicable to ensure the safety of their passengers, with terrible consequences on the early morning of 9 November 2016.

“We must never forget the tragedy of that day, and must strive to learn all of its lessons so there can be no repetition. Our thoughts remain with those whose lives were so affected.  The judge's remarks and the sentences imposed underline to the corporate defendants and the whole industry that their first responsibility is to ensure the safety of their passengers and staff.

“We welcome the improvements made to the network since the incident. We will continue to scrutinise this vital industry and hold operators to account if they fall short.”