From the nice people in charge of Britain’s national rail network who once gave us “the wrong kind of snow”, Sydenham Road in central Croydon has become an unannounced and unexpected Low Traffic Neighbourhood, with the abrupt closure of the 100-year-old-plus railway bridge midway along the road.
No through road: the signs and blockages went up on Sydenham Road just before the weekend
Sydenham Road is the connecting route between the heart of Selhurst and central Croydon.
It has previously been noted for being a gentle cut-through between Selhurst and East Croydon that once boasted three pubs (including the former Bird in Hand and Duke of Gloucester) and two schools, a range of shops at one end and a solitary shop at the other.
But the road bridge that crosses the West Croydon to Norwood Junction line carrying Southern Railway and TfL’s “Windrush line” Overground trains is crumbling.
Network Rail engineers and contractors will labour for the next six months, at least into August, to replace crumbling beams and supports.
Closed off: this bit of central Croydon has been given a certain Berlin Wall-type of vibe
In a letter to residents, Network Rail explained that the beams that support the bridge are badly corroded and need to be replaced to support the weight of the traffic that crosses the railway lines. Concrete blocks have been lifted into place to prevent drivers from nipping across the blocked bridge.
One resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “I wonder if one of the things that have contributed to this weakening is the growth of SUVs, especially on the school run.
Polite notice: speedy food delivery riders might not always obey the signs
“I also suspect the growth of traffic along the road over the last decades has to be the use of Sat-Nav directing folks along the road.
“Since the road shut down on Friday, it has been as quiet as the grave. I wonder what will happen when the schools go back after half-term?” Today’s first-day-back ought to answer that question.
While Network Rail’s engineers cleverly worked out how to stop cars and lorries going over the bridge, it was immediately obvious that Croydon’s legion of fast food delivery cyclists and scooters had quickly worked out they need not be disturbed in their deliveries. Why pedal around a diversion of more than an extra mile when you can just ride down the footpath on the under-repair bridge which has been left open for pedestrians?
One resident has already contacted Network Rail and the Metropolitan Police on this issue only to find themselves being directed to Croydon’s cash-strapped council to deal with the safety matter. Fingers crossed that no child or carer doing the school run on foot is mowed down by a pad thai out for express delivery.
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ROTTEN BOROUGH AWARDS: In January 2024, Croydon was named among the country’s rottenest boroughs for a SEVENTH successive year in the annual round-up of civic cock-ups in Private Eye magazine
Surely replacing some beams and supports on a little bridge can be done in less than 6 months? Why do things like this take so much slower than in other countries?
A failure to fund it properly and the cost of labour and materials after Brexit
Evidence?
There should have been a question mark on the comment – my bad but please feel free to compare UK funding on infrastructure with other Countries that have nationalised railways over the last four decades unless you feel perhaps we have overfunded infrastructure on the Network? See also the upward trends on Building material costs over the last 4 years. I do recall also the Labour stats (ilostat) showing the decrease in construction workers within the industry partly due to better rates in the EU but also as it has become more inconvenient for many to work here. I personally feel that data was more relevant to domestic and commerical building and that Network Rail maintenance and construction was not so badly affected but perhaps you have more up to date data?
Won’t putting massive heavy concrete beams on the structure of the bridge further weaken it and increase the risks that are presented? It may be done for vehicular access to the nearby houses, but they have placed additional weight on a vulnerable structure.
No.
This is going to be an ongoing nuisance and there will be much more traffic on the main road.
This is both a road with two primary schools on it (Broadmead near the railway bridge, and St Mary’s further south), and part of the designated cycle route into the town centre from the north.
While certainly unplanned and unexpected, this closure is a good chance to understand how a possible School Street (both schools would hugely benefit from one, as so many others in the borough already do) or cycle priority route etc. might affect local traffic flows in the area in future.
Took the bus in this morning, and despite there being works on Northcote Rd and St James as well as the closure on Sydenham, traffic along Whitehorse Road (the main road parallel with Sydenham) didn’t seem to be any worse than usual. Routes 468 and 50 running entirely as normal.
What is worrying is that the extent of the damage to the bridge wasn’t spotted until now. Maybe they should be upping their inspection regime.
> One resident, who did not wish to be named, said:
> “I wonder if one of the things that have contributed to this weakening is the growth of SUVs, especially on the school run.
I’m a total layman in this field, but this surprised me.
I had a quick look on street view, but couldn’t see any weight limit signs for the bridge. I saw an article saying cars have got 20% heavier in the past 20 years, but presumably in absolute terms that’s nothing compared to a lorry?
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Please sign the petition and the email the relevant people below to show your support in creating a ‘Healthy Neighbourhood’ for Sydenham Road which restricts vehicular traffic.
https://chng.it/wvfbDXN8tC
Local councillors
catherine.wilson@croydon.gov.uk
mohammed.islam@croydon.gov.uk
Cabinet member for streets and environment
scott.roche@croydon.gov.uk