The new trams roll into the borough - pic: Railway Gazette (www.railwaygazette.com)

Six shiny new trams have been spotted arriving in Croydon. The upgraded fleet, which cost £16.3m, is due to be in public use by spring 2012.

It will improve capacity on the Tramlink light rail system in south London and allow more frequent services to be operated on the busiest part of the network through central Croydon between Therapia Lane and Elmers End.

Although the speed limit in most of Croydon is just 35kmph, the German built, Stadler Veriobahn trams will have a top speed of 80kmph.

The hi-tech transport will also have low floor bi-directional air conditioning and will provide space for 72 seated and 134 standing passengers.

German manufacturer Stadler Pankow built all trams before 2012 and tested in Chemnitz, Germany in December. The company won its first UK contract in August 2011.

Stadler have been contracted to build three more trams for Croydon in the near future.