Essential, and in advance: one of the road closure signs, at the Manor Road junction with Portland Road
By PETER GILLMAN
South Norwood is soon to be hit with traffic chaos again – but neither Croydon Council nor the alternative possible culprits, Thames Water, have been able to provide more information about precisely which roads they intend to close, or when, or for how long.
In the past two weeks a rash of signs warning of closures have appeared around Portland Road and Norwood Junction.
There have been constant holdups the length of Croydon Road and the adjoining streets for the past six months, thanks to Thames Water. But the utilities company has refused to offer any guidance on what its intentions are in respect of any further “essential works” (they are almost always “essential” works, you may have noticed).
The latest signs have been erected in Manor Road, Clifford Road and at the entrance to Albert Road.
Same message, different location: Portland Road, junction with Albert Road. But will it be Albert Road or Portland Road closed at this junction?
The sign on Manor Road, headed “Advance Warning”, says “This road will be closed here 08:00 07/04/2025 to 18/04/2025”.
There is a similar sign in Clifford Road, but with different dates: 24/03/2025 to 18/04/2025. So these essential works start next Monday and are due to last for almost four weeks – twice the time of the Manor Road works.
The problem arises with the sign which is at the entrance of Albert Road from Portland Road, with the dates 24/03/2025 to 18/04/2025. Does it mean that Albert Road will be closed? Or Portland Road?
If Albert Road is to be closed at the same time as Manor Road and Clifford Road, the problems for motorists will be bad enough. But if Portland Road is to be closed as well, all surrounding roads in South Norwood will be gridlocked, bringing massive jams to an area which is constantly plagued with them.
In the spirit of public service journalism, Inside Croydon asked Croydon Council if it could clarify whether Portland Road was to be closed. We asked not once, but four times. Croydon Council’s propaganda department failed to respond.
No through road: it appears there may be problems along Manor Road, close to Goathouse Bridge, too
We also asked how traffic would be redirected and what the “essential works” consisted of, but the answer again was silence.
We also emailed our favourite local traffic disruptor, Thames Water, to ask if they were carrying out the works.
Thames Water, possibly suffering from an overload of attention following the weeks of chaos it caused in Anerley Road, has not answered either.
The only thing that the public can assume with any certainly is that for the next month, traffic in and around Norwood Junction is likely to be a nightmare. You have been warned – just a pity that our local authority and privatised utility companies can’t be bothered to offer any advice in advance.
And on a related point: why do “they” (local authorities and the utilities firms who dig up our roads) always erect signs stating “Advance Warning”? Or sometimes “Advanced Warning”.
What kind of “warning” is it if it is not given in advance?
Recent articles by Peter Gillman:
- Council computer errors and £195 driving fine that never was
- 83-year-old Palace fan shaken by Selhurst security shakedown
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