Assembly remembers victims of Croydon tram crash

The London Assembly today remembered those lost in the Croydon Tram incident and paid tribute to emergency services. It also approved an urgent unanimous motion to help with investigations into the derailment.

It has offered to add value to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) investigation, or launch its own investigation to look at the wider impact of the tragedy on the London Borough of Croydon and London as a whole.

Florence Eshalomi AM, who proposed the urgent motion, said:

“It’s with real sorrow that we have found ourselves here talking about the loss of seven lives, with 50 others injured in this tragic incident.

“The time will come when we will need to take a long hard look at what went wrong in the events that led to these seven people losing their lives. With this tragedy happening on our own doorstep, with Londoners sharing in the grief of those affected, and with assurances to be sought about the safety of London’s wider tram network, there are many benefits to be gained by the Assembly conducting its own investigation.”

Steve O’Connell AM, who seconded the urgent motion, said:

“Croydon is still reeling from the tragic events at Sandilands last week and our thoughts remain fully with the victims, as well as their friends and families.

Now that investigations have been launched by the authorities, I’m keen to ensure we do all we can here at City Hall to assist enquiries and get much-needed answers for the relatives of those killed and injured.

It is vital to restore public confidence in the safety of trams and we can only do that with a thorough investigation into the causes of this terrible incident.”

The full text of the Motion is:

“This Assembly notes with deep sorrow the tragic event of Croydon’s tram derailment last week. The Assembly pays tribute to the emergency services personnel who worked tirelessly on the rescue and recovery operation, but most of all, we pay tribute to the seven victims who lost their lives in these saddest of circumstances.

This Assembly notes that there are currently two investigations open into the circumstances of the crash by both the British Transport Police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

The Assembly recalls the investigations it has undertaken on behalf of Londoners into the July 7^th Attacks and the Thames Passenger Boat Incident.

This Assembly tasks the Chairman of the Assembly with speaking to leaders of the party Groups and the ungrouped member to establish whether the Assembly could add value to the investigation by the RAIB by opening its own investigation into the Croydon tram derailment, looking at the wider impact on the London Borough of Croydon and London and, if so, to make recommendations as to the form such an investigation might take.”