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.
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.
Five of the 6 name boards “For Farthing Downs and Happy Valley” have now been installed on Coulsdon South Station. The 6th one will be installed permanently when the lift work is complete.
The new bridge is progressing and Pauline and Ian have installed planters/troughs with lovely flowers – the flower beds were removed due to the bridge building works. Once the bridge is completed then the flower beds can be re-installed.
As you may know ECRA and the othr RAs have been lobbying the Council to – first of all not to take away the one hour free parking in Coulsdon, replacing with 30 minutes free and 30 minutes paid for. We also lobbied for a second hour after the one hour free paid for to accommodate those who need longer than one hour for such things as Physio and Dental appointments, hairdressers, etc. This would still allow for a turnover of vehicles.
See email trail below from Councillor Stuart King, Cabinet member for Transport, Charlie King, Chair and myself of ECRA
Councillor King made the decision to re-introduce one hour free parking in Croydon’s District Centres including Coulsdon, for confirmation at the TMAC. This reverses the decision to remove said one hour free parking and replace with 30 minutes free and 30 minutes paid for taken by a previous TMAC and Chair. The re-introductions of the one hour free was confirmed at the TMAC on the 8th February for introduction in July. Although we asked that the one hour free should be in the whole of the CPZ of Brighton Road and Chipstead Valley Road it is likely that the decision may only return the one hour free to Brighton Road.
Councillor King says he has sympathy with the second hour paid for and has asked for further, wider input on this idea and in consultation with cabinet colleagues agreed to refer the suggestions to one hour free and a second hour paid for to the Council’s recently established Small Business Commission in part of the Brighton Road.
Representative from small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in Croydon are being invited to share their views on how the Council can support companies in becoming more successful.
ECRA and the other RAs are continuing to push for as much parking as possible within Coulsdon.
20 MPH
The 20 MPH speed limit is no in place for the whole of Croydon in designated roads. There are conflicting views on the benefits and problems with 20 mph – we should accept that different people have different views and priorities.
ECRA’s view has always been that we support 20MPH limits in individual roads were there is a clear safety case and/or the residents support them but not a blanket ban. We wrote to Croydon Council to object to the way the consultation was worded in that there was not a simple Yes/No option for are 5.
BOOKING OFFICE PROPOSED CLOSURE
PROPOSED TICKET OFFICE CLOSURE AT COULSDON SOUTH
TRAVEL WATCH REJECT THE PROPOSALS TO CLOSE BOOKING OFFICES BUT GTR/SOUTHERN HAVE ALREADY PUT IN REVISED PROPOSALS.
After massive protest by users and local residents On Tuesday 22nd March London Travelwatch Rejects the proposals to close 51 GTR/Southern booking Offices in the proposals Present Form
Hopefully this is the end of the threat to close the ticket offices at Coulsdon and Purley and other Croydon Stations. However, ECRA, Croydon RAs and East Surrey Transport Committee will keep and eye out for any future threat which may arise in the future.
Unfortunately it was not the end and they have so soon come back with further proposals which ECRA are studying the revised information, but can see little difference other than the full range of tickets are to be sold
GTR/Southern revised Booking Office proposals
Partial ticket office, Hosted & Concourse sales Point
The stations listed below will have a Host on duty for times significantly in excess of the current ticket office hours. The Host will provide assistance with ticket purchases, information provision and assisted travel at the times shown within the station concourse or gateline areas. These times are the minimum hours that the Host will be available. The Host will have a hand held ticketing system that will enable them to provide tickets that are not available from the self-service machines.
The Ticket Office at these stations will be open in the morning peak hours to ensure that passenger’s needs for tickets are met at these busy times (the proposed opening times of the ticket offices are shown below). The primary point for purchasing tickets on the station will be from the self-service machines, from the Station Host or at morning peak time through the ticket office. The Station Host will also have access to a ticket office machine within the concourse area, on a Hosted Point, to enable ticket types, not available through self-service or the hand held machine, to be issued. Each of the stations listed will have a member of staff on duty from the first train of the day until the last train has departed, 7 days a week.
The Ticket Office at these stations will be closed and the primary point for purchasing tickets on the station will be from the self-service machines or from the Station Host. In the event that a ticket type is not available through these machines then the Host will have access to a ticket office machine within the concourse area, on a Hosted Point, to enable those ticket types to be issued, or within the ticket office where space in the concourse is limited. The stations Hosting Point will continue to comply with the regulations and stipulations within Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement. Each of the stations listed will have a member of staff on duty from the first train of the day until the last train has departed, 7 days a week.
Coulsdon South *
Mainline & Coast
0610–1935
0700-2025
0910-1640
3
YES
Mon-Fri 0530-2200 Sat 0600-2200 Sun 0730-2200. Ticket Office closed.
Yes / No
Purley
Metro
0555–2005
0555-2025
0810-1645
4
YES
Mon-Sat 0500-2200 Sun 0730-2200. Ticket Office closed.
Yes / Yes
Sanderstead *
Mainline & Coast
0610-1930
0700-1335
0810-1625
2
Installed 2016
Mon-Sat 0605-2200 Sun 0805-2200. Ticket Office closed.
Yes / No
South Croydon *
Metro
0620–1945
0620-1945
0810-1545
2
YES
Mon-Sat 0540-2200 Sun 0700-2200. Ticket Office closed.
Yes / No
Merstham *
Mainline & Coast
0610–1935
0610-1935
0830-1640
2
Yes
Ticket Office 0700-1000 Mon-Fri. Host hours Mon-Sat 0530-2200 Sun 0730-2200.
Yes / No
Reigate *
Mainline & Coast
0610-1245
0710-1345
Closed
3
YES
Ticket Office 0800-1100 Mon-Fri. Host hours Mon-Sat 0530-2200 Sun 0730-2200.
Yes / No
AND MANY MORE
We wish to thank all those who protested we may ask again in the future once the issues have been studied.
WARFARIN CLINIC RESTORED AT OLD COULSDON MEDICAL PRACTICE
The CCCG can – occasionally – change (or partially change) their minds!!
As you may be aware, the successful warfarin service which was held at Old Coulsdon Medical Practice (OCMP) was removed by the Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group without consultation or notice and the service and the contract was awarded to Boots in their stores via the pharmacists.
There have been very many protests at this and the inconvenience which this caused to residents/ patients. As a result, ECRA wrote to Chris Philp MP , the Chair and vice CEX of ‘Healthwatch’ – Chairs of both ‘Health and Well Being Board’ and ‘Health Scrutiny’ at London Borough of Crouton who keep an eye on the doings of the CCCG who made this decision. CCCG are not very good at consulting before they act I am afraid
Chris Philp MP received a letter from the CCCG which confirms that Boots are now seeing patients at Old Coulsdon Medical Practice so, should this affect you or someone you know, please let them know that they should contact OCMP to find when the clinics are held. Please pass on if there are other you may know who could be affected by this change.
CALAT CENTRE CAR PARK OPEN
As of the 19th November the CALAY Centre Car Park – with entrance via narrow entrance in Chipstead Valley Road is OPEN. If your car is less than 2.1 metres wide you will be able to use this car park – you may need to bring your wing mirrors in.
The charges are:
One hour = 0.50p
Two hours = £1.00
Four hours = £2.00
Free after 6.00 p.m. and all day on Sundays but not Bank Holidays
A Planning Application for a new entrance from Woodcote Grove Road has been submitted.
SUTTON & EAST SURREY NEW LAGOON
Sutton and East Surrey Water Company to increase their reserve supplies of water they has obtained planning permission to construct a Storage Lagoon (reservoir) in the field between Lyndhurst Road and Rectory Lane. They have agreed to keep the local footpaths open during construction which will take up to 3 years. However, the routes down which the construction traffic has been envisaged has Chipstead Valley Road as the main route. Coulsdon West RA, and othersn are in discussion on restricting the time when this traffic can use CVR, especially during the morning and late afternoon / evening during the rush hours on this very constricted road.
COULSDON SOUTH STATION PROJECT
Volunteers from East Coulsdon Residents Association and Friends of Farthing Downs are ‘beautifying’ Coulsdon South Station by digging up flower beds which have been overtaken by weeds and litter and replacing with flowers. They are generally working there one day a week – not always the same day – donating plants from their own and others gardens and purchasing flowers and bulbs. The Station staff have been very supportive of this project and have helped by watering when volunteers are not around or when it does not rain. Notices with information on Farthing Downs and how to get there from the station
Oasis Byron School has developed from a struggling school to where they are now, on the cusp of outstanding. But they are still not attracting as many local children as they would like. Please see the posters below and support if this is appropriate for you.
DANNY’S IS BEST PLAICE FOR FISH & CHIPS IN BRITAIN
Danny’s Fish & Chip Shop in Old Coulsdon, Tudor Parade, battered the opposition to sine the contest run by Proctor and Gamble. Danny is often found singing to his customers and says they just buy the best of everything and don’t cut corners on quality. Once they have found a good supplier they go back. They won by getting the most votes by the public. Danny, his wife Nursen and son Anil wish to thank all those who voted for them to enable them to win, as do his father and mother who started the business 40 years ago.
SPEED LIMIT ON BYPASS NOW RAISED TO 40MPH
Transport for London have now raised the speed limit on the Coulsdon Bypass to 40mph throughout – another success for ECRA
ECRA NOW ON FACEBOOK
The ECRA Facebook page is now up and running. If you’re on Facebook, please “like” the page so we can get some traffic to and from and start to make it a bit more useful and interesting. You’ll see I’ve added some basic info, but feel free to add more. Anyone can view the page, you don’t need to be signed up, but you will need to sign up if you want to add anything to it.
Coulsdon is a nice place to live and East Coulsdon Residents’ Association (ECRA) is one of the four residents’ associations that represent local residents in Coulsdon. We have a very good record of getting things done in our area. Each quarter we produce the ECRA Review that provides you with local information on what’s happening in Coulsdon on: health, traffic and transport, local history and other events in and around Coulsdon. We also have a web site www.eastcoulsdon.co.uk
Here are some examples where we have put forward the views of our residents’ with positive outcome.
Engaged with local developers, .
Improved train service at Coulsdon South & Coulsdon Town.
Increased parking at Coulsdon South station.
Improved bus service on routes 405 and 434.
Lobbied Croydon over the need for more School places in Coulsdon.
Thames Water Flood improvements.
Supported appropriate development in Coulsdon town centre,
Supported Waitrose distribution centre in Ullswater Crescent with over 400 jobs.
Road safety measures in a number of roads including Woodplace Lane.
Repair of Coulsdon Town centre roads.
Helped save the Bowling Green in Marlpit Lane.
Increase in speed on the Bypass to 40 mph throughout
Increased number of residents’ parking bays.
Engaged with Croydon Council in discussions on Coulsdon Town Centre and Cane Hill developments.
We run a number of successful social functions each year as a way of ‘meeting your neighbour’. These include quiz nights and a Christmas Dinner Dance.
However, we can only achieve these things on your behalf with your help. ECRA Committee has only eight members most of whom have been shouldering the burden of work for many years. Likewise, many of our Road Stewards have been active for many years and need to step down.
WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP DISTRIBUTE OUR QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER – THE REVIEW.
We urgently require:
More (up to fifteen in total) Committee members to share the tasks of supporting our community.
Ten new Road Stewards to deliver the Review and collect subscriptions. The Committee cannot continue to double up on the vacant rounds.
We also need understudies for all the tasks associated with producing The Review: editorial, advertisements, distribution.
Please seriously consider volunteering your help so that ECRA can continue its good work. You are welcome to come to a Committee meeting before making a commitment.
Charles King Chair: East Coulsdon Residents’ Association
Contact: Charles King, Tel: 01737 554841 or Maureen Levy (Secretary), Tel: 01737 555231,
THAMES WATER
Over the last couple of years as part of their Flood prevention programme Thames Water constructed a number of retention tanks on the sewage system in Coulsdon. These tanks can fill at times of heavy usage or heavy rainfall which is more prominent these days and then discharge when the flow of sewage and rain water subsides. All these tanks have been very successful except for the one at the beginning of Reddown Road between Marlpit Lane and Fairdene Road. This tank has filled on a number of occasions, but failed to empty when the flow subsided and unfortunately this has affected a small number of properties in Reddown Road. This has resulted in the tank having to be emptied by Tanker to prevent flooding of sewage in houses in Reddown Road. Thames have visually inspected them and also inspected it with CCTV on a number of occasions and tell us that the internal flow control mechanism becomes jammed by a mixture of wet wipes, disposable nappies and coking fat. We are still in discussion with Thames Water to try to resolve this problem.
Volunteers from East Coulsdon Residents Association and Friends of Farthing Downs are ‘beautifying’ Coulsdon South Station by digging up flower beds which have been overtaken by weeds and litter and replacing with flowers. They are generally working there one day a week – not always the same day – donating plants from their own and others gardens and purchasing flowers and bulbs. The Station staff have been very supportive of this project and have helped by watering when volunteers are not around or when it does not rain. Notices with information on Farthing Downs and how to get there from the station