Shape Better Streets

This is YOUR chance to share YOUR views on what should happen next.

By local residents who support a low-traffic scheme to benefit the local community

Earlier this year, Croydon council closed some local streets, to stop through traffic. This was intended to reduce local traffic, to make local streets safer for walking and cycling, and reduce noise and pollution, under national government guidance

Unfortunately, the changes were poorly communicated by the council.

Some of the closures inconvenience residents and businesses. Access for the local community could be improved.

The good news is a formal public consultation is happening right now, for local people to comment on the changes, and whether they should stay, be changed to improve access, or be removed.

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Background

Something exciting is happening in Crystal Palace and South Norwood

In reaction to the Covid-19 crisis, several streets in this area were temporarily closed to through traffic earlier this year. This was an emergency measure, encouraged by government guidance and supported by Transport for London.

These closures created an experimental ‘Low Traffic Neighbourhood’, intended to let people more easily walk around their streets with essential social distancing, and to discourage non-essential short car journeys that are a major source of London’s traffic congestion and pollution. They were also intended to encourage a positive change in how people travel, after Covid-19.

The changes were a swift reaction to cope with the massive increase in road traffic that was anticipated – and experienced – around the capital as the country came out of the first national lockdown. Planters were installed on many residential roads in the area, including Lancaster Road, Southern Avenue, Sylvan Hill, Fox Hill and Stambourne Way, to filter out cars and large vehicles, and instead allow safer and quieter streets for people to walk and cycle in safety.

A new bus-only gate was installed on Auckland Road, to enable the 410 bus to continue its original route through the community.

The changes quickly reduced traffic around the affected streets, bringing down air pollution, and with it the day-long noise and vibration from rat-running traffic.

Many residents have embraced the changes and are enjoying safer and more peaceful streets. There is now a noticeable increase in walking and cycling around these low-traffic roads every day. Similar low-traffic initiatives are now in place across London.

But inevitably the changes have inconvenienced some residents, as their driving route to and from home is longer than before.

The changes were also poorly communicated when Croydon council rolled them out.

Post-lockdown congestion on main roads was not helped by these changes coinciding with temporary traffic lights on Church Road. Fortunately, these have now been removed.

The good news is that a public consultation, which was always intended to be part of the temporary scheme, has now started.

This consultation offers us something exciting and transformative – the chance to have our voices heard about how our streets can be shaped in the future. As a community, we have the opportunity to make real, lasting impact on the quality of life around our homes, on our street and in our community.

Whether you’re enjoying the safe, peaceful, less-polluted neighbourhood brought about by the measures as they stand, or want to suggest changes to improve them, your view counts.

The formal consultation by Croydon council is underway from now until 4th December.

This is your chance to share your views on what should happen next.

Local residents should have received a letter from Croydon council, with a unique code to use in the survey. Please use this if you have it.

Help shape better streets