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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