A Croydon tram driver has said he is concerned about overcrowding in staff break rooms and claims that staff were only given sanitising spray a week ago.

The driver, who asked not to be named, said that while services overall are very quiet, it is still crowded at peak times.

Speaking last week, the driver said: “Up until last week practically nothing had been done, they issued us with a spray and one cloth to wipe down our cabs – we were taking it on ourselves to use something before that.

“The company are saying we shouldn’t wear masks, they said the guidance is they should only be used for frontline medical staff.

“A few people are wearing them though and personally I have one too, I don’t wear it when I’m driving, just when I come into contact with others.”

And he claims that since the coronavirus lockdown break rooms are crowded, making it difficult to socially distance.

“They haven’t told people to stay home so everyone who was due to work has been coming in,” he said.

“The mess rooms were quite crowded and they are not marked out like the control room is.”

But Tram Operations Limited, which manages the trams says that additional break rooms have now been provided to enable social distancing.

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At the moment a reduced overall service is being run on the trams.

The driver added: “It is very quiet, there are very few people around, it is totally dead.

“During peak hours it runs about every five minutes which is the only time we really have passengers, then the trams are pretty crowded, you can’t see much social distancing. It is like with the tubes.”

But he said the peak time lasts for less time than usual and in the evenings trams are pretty empty from 6pm.

Mark Davis, TfL’s general manager for London Trams, urged people to only travel for essential journeys.

He said: “We are working hard to support the NHS and protect all Londoners. Our services are only for people making absolutely essential journeys. To everyone else, our message is to stay at home, not travel to save lives.

“The safety of our customers, our staff and all those supporting the transport network remains our top priority at this time.

“We are introducing posters at all trams stops and floor stickers at busier ones to encourage social distancing.

“Enhanced cleaning is taking place across the London Tram network including daily cleaning of trams using an anti-viral fluid and at tram stops using a sanitiser product.”

The floor stickers will first be introduced at the two busiest stops, East and West Croydon before being rolled out to others.