12.03.18
Khan approves £750,000 funding for Croydon tram crash community
The mayor of London has today agreed plans for £750,000 of funding over the next three years to support community measures in Croydon in response to the 2016 tram crash.
Sadiq Khan said the money was earmarked for health and social care support in New Addington and its surrounding community.
The incident occurred when a tram derailed on a bend near Sandilands station in south London, killing seven people and injuring 51. It was later discovered that the driver had suffered from a ‘microsleep’ causing him to speed into the turn.
Now Khan says TfL will be working with local commissioning groups on a number of proposed actions including extra resources for adult and child mental health, such as counselling and resilience programmes, alcohol and substance abuse problems, and healthcare trauma training.
“It's vital that we continue to do all we can to support everyone affected by the tragedy at Sandilands,” said.
“The New Addington community has shown real strength in supporting one another, and I'm determined that we continue to be there to offer our assistance in the years to come. I hope that through this funding we can help the local community receive the support it needs.”
So far TfL has paid out £2m in bereavement payments to provide counselling, rehabilitation, transport and financial compensation to passengers and families who lost loved ones.
Councillor Tony Newman, leader of Croydon Council, said: “The seven people who lost their lives on that awful day are never far from Croydon's thoughts and I am pleased the mayor has made this funding available.
“It’s been a council priority to ensure those that need additional support receive the right type of help and care, and this money will allow us to work with those affected to best assess how the community recovery programme can help them.”
London's Transport Commissioner, Mike Brown, added: “Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this tragedy and we continue to do all we can to offer our support.
“We recognise that this has had a profound impact on the local community and hope that our contribution to Croydon Council’s community recovery programme helps improve the lives of those directly and indirectly affected.”
Last month, the RAIB released its final report on the incident, which found that the driver had temporarily lost awareness and was travelling more than 30mph faster that the limit on that section of track.
Top image: John Stillwell, PA Wire
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