The change to bus stops in central Croydon took place at the beginning of February. The 60, 166 and 466 northbound now stop in St Georges Walk, while the N68 still stops in Park Lane. The 405 now terminates in Park Lane. Southbound the 60, 166, 405, 466 and N68 all leave from Park Street. Superloop SL5 from Croydon to Bromley via Shirley and Eden Park with Single deck buses started in February from St George’s Walk. It is the first time that there has been a bus direct from Croydon to Bethlem Hospital.
The postponed Sutton and Croydon changes: The main splitting of the 407 has been delayed until the existing tender runs out. It is believed that the other changes to 166, 312, 434 and 439 and withdrawal of 455 will go ahead in March 2024.
Bus Usage Stats from TfL – Coulsdon Routes for the year 2022/2023: 60 5,628,532; 466 3,458,891; 405 1,388,941; 463 1,021,321; 166 942,343; 434 218,127 404 185,277; N68 343,751 The busiest route in Croydon is the 109, 608, 923 and the 60 is 4th Busiest route and one of only three that has exceeded its pre-COVID usage. Source: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/publications-and-reports/buses-performance-data#on-this-page-3
At the November meeting the ECRA committee welcomed Cllr Scott Roche to provide us with some updates. Cllr Roche is the Cabinet member for Streets and Environment on Croydon council.
We raised the issues of parks maintenance, refuse disposal and the proposals for parking.
Cllr Roche has a lot of priorities for parks maintenance. We were particularly concerned about grass cutting in Marlpit Lane park, the maintenance of the putting green, the need to reinstate the junior football pitch and the failure to maintain Chaldon Way Gardens. We continue to seek a meeting with him and his officers to improve this situation.
At the January meeting we raised the problem of the water logged area outside Pistachio’s café and some cracking on the new perimeter path. We have asked for a meeting for the friends of Grange Park with the officers and contractors.
The consultation on parking proposals closed recently and the results are being evaluated. Cllr Roche expects that the changes will be implemented next year after further trials in some local areas. It appears that a mobile phone will be essential although some local shops may be designated as Pay Points. ECRA committee continue to press for 1 hour free and 1 hour paid parking.
We raised further concerns about the parking trial in January in Addiscombe, New Addington and Purley which reduces the one hour free parking to 30 minutes and the need to use an app or phone RingGo. We feel that this will lead to a reduction in people shopping locally.
Croydon council are reviewing the bin collection arrangements and the “failure rate” of bins and the timescale for replacement.
Cllr Roche did not have any further information on Red Clover Gardens/Lion Green Road.
We raised this again at the January meeting as they have now been empty for 10 months. We also asked who is responsible for snagging when people do move in.
Croydon Council is introducing cashless parking in three District centres – Purley, Addiscombe and New Addington – from today (Tuesday 2nd January 2024). This is despite hundreds of objections raised during and after a previous trial in South Croydon.
This reduces the free period from 1 hour to 30 minutes. You will no longer be able to obtain a ticket from a parking meter as these will be turned off. To park you will have to use the Parking app RingGo (https://ringgo.co.uk) or phone RingGo (020 3046 0010) quoting the RingGo location code, which are indicated on signs and pay by Bank card.
The alternatives are: You can phone Ringo in advance from home, but there is no guarantee that there will be a free parking bay when you arrive. You can pay at a shop that operates PayPoint in Purley. The PayPoint location in Purley can be found at the Londis store at the Shell Foxley Garage on the corner of Godstone Road and Foxley Hill Road (which is not exactly convenient for Purley Town centre).
Croydon council welcomes any comments on this trial via an online survey, available at: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/NewAddingtonCPSurvey – for any questions please phone 020 8726 6000. The survey will close on Monday 22 January 2024. It is noted that the Mayor failed to mention this in his Christmas News Message.
It is expected that these changes and charges will come to Coulsdon and other district centres in the near future.
Head to the Junction of Coulsdon Rd & Court Ave on Saturday 25th November, 4-6pm (lights to be switched on at 5pm) and enjoy Santa’s grotto, carol singing, refreshments and much more. Please continue to provide your support as we fund raise to allow us to continue bringing the Christmas Lights to Old Coulsdon.
