There are major changes to the transport system in and around London from Monday 18 May 2020 due to easing of the lockdown.
The Government, the London Mayor and Croydon Council are encouraging people to cycle and walk where possible. To encourage this the Mayor is restricting a number of street in Central London to pedestrians, cyclist and buses only.
Croydon Council is experimenting with blocking off the a number of streets with large flower planter to allow access but not through traffic.
The central Congestion charge and Ultra Low emission zone charges will be reintroduced on Monday 18th May 2020.
The Congestion charge zone will increase to £15.00 and the hours extended from 22nd June 2020.
The Government have agreed to a mixture of grants and Loans to TfL to cover the major short fall in fares. However, this has conditions:
The Mayor puts up fares.
The Freedom Pass can no longer be used in Peak hours (at this stage it is not clear if that is just before 09.30 or includes the evening peak).
Children between the ages of 11 & 18 will have to pay fares (again this is not clear if it is all day or just peak hours)
Entry and exit to buses will continue to be by the centre door.
Rail Services
Both GTR and TfL offer enhanced services from Monday which means in general moving from a Sunday service to a Saturday service.
Some longer distance trains services are asking you to book a seat in advance.
The advice remains the same.
Where possible work from home. Use cycling and walking where possible. Try to avoid using the car. Avoid public transport if you can leaving it for essential journeys only.
If you need to use Public transport please the use the following advice:
Please help us by paying your annual subscriptions by standing Order.
We wish to thank all the businesses in Coulsdon, Old Coulsdon and the surrounding area that have stayed open during the pandemic to serve the local community. We also wish to thank all the key workers in the NHS, Croydon Council, postal, bus and train workers along with the delivery drivers shop workers and many others who have continued working on our behalf.
We are so lucky in Coulsdon to have so many open spaces such as Farthing Downs. Happy Valley, Cane Hill and our great local parks where people can not only exercise, but appreciate the value of these open spaces. It has also been pleasing to learn about the togetherness of local Coulsdon people who have been able to help their less fortunate and vulnerable neighbours and friends with shopping or just a phone call. It is especially heartening to see the number of Whatsapp and Facebook local groups that have been set up to keep people in contact we each other. We are also very sorry to report that a number of local people have succumbed to Covid-19. We offer their families and friends our deepest sympathies and condolences.
The Future of the Review Magazine
We are pleased that, with the help of our less vulnerable road stewards and some volunteers, that we delivered the Spring Review magazine to all households with a leaflet explaining Covid-19 and a contact number for those needing help. This enabled us to put many vulnerable people in touch with local volunteers.
We intend to publish all 4 magazines during the course of the year. However, with social isolating we are only able to deliver and will have difficulty in collecting our annual subscriptions (£3) and donations. This will certainly apply to the next issue in the Summer and probably to the Autumn and possibly Winter editions as well. It is also clear we cannot hold our AGM in June.
How you can help us
You can help us with our aims to inform you what is happening in and around Coulsdon thorough: the Review Magazine, this web site, Facebook page and eblast list. If you would like to be included in our eblast information system, please contact Maureen our secretary by email .
You can help us by paying your annual subscription by Standing Order. To do so please contact our Chair Charlie by email Alternatively you can send a cheque payable to ECRA or cash for £3.00 to our Chair Charlie at 50 Reddown Road CR5 1AX or Gill our Vice Chair at 6 Mead Way CR5 1PG.
We thank those of you that have changed to a standing order or put a cheque or cash through our doors with your annual subscriptions and donations. Don’t forget to put your name and address on it.
