From the start of the autumn school term TFL are requesting that school buses (starting with a 6**) are used only by school children. In our area: 612, 627, 633, 654, 663, 664, 685 and 689.
Some other buses will also become dedicated school buses around school times. This will include the 60 and 466 that start from the Oasis Academy in Old Coulsdon and the 405 from Harris Academy.
In addition, some buses on the following routes will at school times have some buses dedicated for school children and some for ordinary passengers. In our area: 60, 109, 127, 154, 157, 194, 197, 198, 289, 312, 410, 466 & 468.
The following local buses will have additional buses at school time: 130, 405, 434, 455, & 463.
All children over the age of 11 unless exempt will have to wear a face covering.
At present fares for 11 to 16 year olds will remain free for children with a zip card.
A new local Italian run Deli Caffe has opened in Stoats Nest parade, Coulsdon. Serving good coffee, tasty paninis, fresh bread, canolli, arancini, pasta, deli ham and cheeses plus gelato, cakes and authentic Italian fresh shelf and frozen products. Eat in/outside/Take-away. Customer parking.
Brick By Brick were granted planning consent for the development of 157 new homes in Lion Green Road in January 2019. Full details of this scheme can be viewed on the public access register www.croydon.gov.uk/onlineplans using the reference 17/06297/FUL.
It is anticipated that construction works will begin in September 2020, with expected completion in Winter 2022.
Initial works and car park closure
Initial works include construction of the new car park with completion of this aimed for Spring 2021. It is planned that 50% of the car park will close when these works begin.
Where to find updates
Regular news updates will be posted to the Commonplace website and you can subscribe to receive email notifications of updates.
An opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to meet virtually with CField Construction will be provided next month (August) and will take place prior to the main construction works starting. CField will be distributing an introductory newsletter, including an invitation to the event and details will also be posted as a news update on Commonplace.
A number of postboxes in Coulsdon have been designated NHS priority postboxes.
These are at Post Offices, in the town centre and at Coulsdon South station. All these have a collection at 5.00pm or slightly later (most other postboxes only have morning collections).
These postboxes have been identified as locations where people who have had a home Testing Covid-19 test kit should use to return their test sample for delivery the next day.
As we continue to live under the shadow of Coronavirus and are all finding ways to adapt and thrive in this ‘new normal’, The Review has also undergone a few changes for this issue!
With concerns about delivering hard copies to residents in the current circumstances we decided to produce an interim, virtual issue.
Please do share this widely with anyone who has not received it, or you think might be interested. We hope to produce four hard copies of The Review this year, aiming to produce the next one for delivery in July/August.
We have not included our usual What’s Happening? page in this issue, but do keep an eye on our Facebook page where we regularly post items of interest for residents.
We have been advised of a significant road closure in Purley, on the Godstone Road (A22), from the Tesco car park entrance to Dale Road.
It will be a complete road closure, both lanes, for a 275m stretch of the road to enable essential water repairs.
Work is due to begin on 18 May and will last for 6-8 weeks. More information on road maintenance and closures are on the Croydon Council website.
This will mean long diversion for all vehicles including cars, buses and Lorries
TfL advises that buses will be diverted as follows.
Route 407 towards Caterham: From Brighton Road junction of Riddlesdown Road, bear left Riddlesdown Road, to roundabout straight across staying on Riddlesdown Road, bear right Grasmere Road, right Warren Road, ahead Approach Road, right then left onto Godstone Road picking normal line of route.
Route 407 towards Sutton: From Godstone Road junction of Approach Road, right then left onto Approach Road, ahead Warren Road, left Grasmere Road, left Riddlesdown Road to roundabout straight across 1st left towards Brighton Road turning left onto Brighton Road towards Purley Cross, left onto roundabout continue around roundabout to serve Purley Tesco’s and picking up normal line of route.
Route 412 towards Croydon Town Centre: From Purley Cross junction of Godstone Road take the 4th exit back onto Brighton Road towards Croydon, Circumnavigate roundabout to stay on Brighton Road, bear left onto Riddlesdown Road, to roundabout straight over to stay on Riddlesdown Road right Grasmere Road, right Warren Road, ahead Approach Road, ahead Downs Court Road picking up normal line of route.
Route 412 towards Purley: From Downscourt Road junction of Godstone Road, ahead Approach Road, ahead Warren Road, left Grasmere Road, left Riddlesdown Road, at roundabout take 2nd exit onto Riddledown Road, left Brighton Road to stand.
Route 434 towards Whyteleafe: From Foxley Lane junction of Purley Cross 3rd exit onto Brighton Road towards Coulsdon, left Old Lodge Lane, left Old Lodge Lane, left Bencombe Road, left Higher Drive, right Northwood Avenue picking up normal line of route.
Route 434 towards Coulsdon: From Northwood Avenue junction of Higher Drive, left Higher Drive, right Bencombe Road, right Old Lodge Lane, right to stay on Old Lodge Lane right Brighton Road, at Purley Cross, right and serve Purley Tesco stop and pick up normal line of route.
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.
A number of postboxes in Coulsdon have been designated NHS priority postboxes.