No-notice closure: Wellesley Road underpass. The council’s ‘communications’ on this has been a single, belated and unapologetic tweet
A week on since Inside Croydon reported on the plight of Whitgift Centre traders, cut-off from their customers by the abrupt, no-notice closure of the Wellesley Road pedestrian underpass, and Croydon Council has responded. With an unapologetic tweet.
It is now three weeks since the council closed the Wellesley Road subway, without any notification to the shop owners in the Whitgift Centre, just at a time when businesses would be hoping for an increased number of visitors doing their Christmas shopping.
“We’ve been here 25 years and this is one of the worst seasons we’ve had,” was the view of one business owner.
Judging by the council’s all-so brief message, there’s no prospect of the subway being opened to permit a last-minute dash for late Christmas shopping, either.
“Unfortunately,” the council tweeted, reeking with insincerity, “the Wellesley Road underpass is closed due to fire damage making it unsafe for public use.” In three weeks, there’s been no sign of any work parties doing anything at the underpass, never mind making it safe for public use.
No apology: the council’s tweet, which redefines the use of the word ‘nearby’
But the council is full of less-than-helpful advice, and a new definition of the word “nearby”.
Because the council tweet continued: “During this time, pedestrians can use nearby crossings at George Street between Popeyes and Wendy’s restaurants or near Bedford Park between Green Park House and Lunar House.”
The subway is a designated fire exit from the Whitgift Centre for those with reduced mobility. So the council’s apparent lack of concern about getting it re-opened does take on added significance.
The council’s belated response has done nothing to dim speculation that the council wants to close the underpass permanently, which would make it even more difficult for potential customers to reach the few shops and businesses that remain in the long-neglected shopping centre.
The council has already blocked off pedestrian subways near East Croydon Station, as Town Hall sources suggest that Mayor Jason Perry has determined to remove the underpasses as a night-time option for homeless people.
The subway under Altyre Road was blocked in the summer because it “attracted repeated antisocial behaviour”, the council said then, adding that it became a “disused and unsafe site”, and referred to “an unauthorised encampment” which led to “further antisocial behaviour”.
The Wellesley Road subway closure has occurred despite previous assurances that it would be kept open and properly maintained.
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