As trains were cancelled throughout last week and buses struggled to get around due to icy roads, Croydon’s tramlink managed to run a regular service.

A heroic effort from the Tramlink team mean the service was, at times, the only reliable public transport operating in the borough.

The trams usually carry an averae of 89,000 people a day, during the worst of the snow fall, this rose to 108,000 residents.

Dedicated staff put in hours of overtime, managers and admin staff trekked to Croydon from Central London and set to work shovelling snow off platforms and gritting them to keep them ice free, as well as clearing fallen tree branches and snow from the tracks.

Tramlink ran ghost trams throughout the night to keep the rails clear and when tram drivers were unable to get to work, their colleagues worked overtime and ticket inspectors - who are also trained drivers - volunteered to help.

Phil Hewitt, the director of Tramlink, said: “With 89,000 passengers a day, we knew it was crucial to keep the service running to get people to work and to keep Croydon moving. Our staff were determined not to be beaten by the snow and ice and many worked extra long shifts to ensure that happened.

“One of the things that tramlink has got is a real team spirit. Lots of different companies provide tramlink services but you would never know it.

“I am so proud that everyone pulled together, this is a fantastic team to be proud of.”

Residents have also recognised the tremendous effort by staff.

Desmond Fitzgerald from Thornton Heath, said: “I have watched, listened to and read all the reports on transport in the snow this week, but there is no mention of Tramlinkand the great job they are doing, against the odds, with a light rail system that goes through the countryside and up considerable hills, as well as through the strets in this part of South London and Surrey.

“It seems that far from reducing services in this recent snowy weather, Tramlink has increased the frequency of services betwen Wimbledon Station and New Addington through central Croydon.”

A South Croydon customer wrote to tramlink: "I just wanted to say a special thank you for keeping the trams running in the current snowy conditions.

"Your staff have to get to work too, and their efforts to get their workplace and then get the trams moving almost as normal is impressive and much appreciated, particularly when all other forms of transport seem to be struggling. Well done Tramlink - take a bow."

Another resident from Beckenham wrote: "I would personally like to say a big thank for a first class service today.

"My daughter started a job today and had it not been for the trams would not have been able to get into and home from work. I met my daughter at Beckenham Junction and travelled to Croydon to do some shopping by tram, we only waited to 12 minutes maximum on all journeys.

"A massive thank you to all those workers who made the effort to turn up for work and make life so much easier for others. I for one am extremely grateful."