The Government has released funding for a new tram safety body following years of campaigning by a Croydon MP.

The Transport Minister confirmed in a statement that £1.5m has been allocated to bring the new Light Rail Safety Standards Board (LRSSB) into operation, which will drive forward safety improvements across the UK tram industry.

Sarah Jones, MP for Croydon Central, has led a campaign calling for investment in safety improvements following the 2016 Croydon tram crash, in which seven people died.

Ms Jones said: “Families and loved ones of the victims of the Croydon tram crash deserved to see urgent work from Government to prevent another tragedy.

"But for far too long, our calls for change fell on deaf ears.

"I’m glad we have finally seen some action from Government and I hope this new body will mean tram safety improvements finally pick up pace.

“But there are a host of reforms still needed across the UK’s tram networks.

"These need to happen as a priority. And a one-off cash injection is unlikely to be enough to maintain high safety standards for tram passengers in the long-term.

"I want to see sustained investment and oversight of our trams so that a tragedy never happens again – not just in Croydon but anywhere in the UK.”

Jones exposed the Government’s withholding of funds for the LRSSB in November 2018, writing to the Transport Secretary calling for action.

In December 2018, she held a debate on tram safety in the House of Commons, again calling on Ministers to release funding before the end of the year.

She has led the campaign since becoming MP for Croydon Central just 8 months after the tragic crash.

Ahead of her December debate, the MP chaired a meeting in Parliament between families of the Croydon tram crash victims and senior Transport for London figures.

The new national safety body was the first of 15 recommendations made by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch following the Croydon tram crash, including automatic braking and strengthened glass in tram windows.