Traffic chaos: Croydon Council has delivered letters to residents on affected streets. They just haven’t bothered advising motorists who drive through Portland Road in South Norwood
By PETER GILLMAN
There’s been silence from the utility companies and there’s nothing to be found on Croydon Council’s website, nor provided by its official press department.
But Inside Croydon’s loyal readers have come up with some inside information about the multiple road closures that are to be imposed around South Norwood from Monday, when they are likely cause traffic chaos which could last the rest of this month and most of April.
Despite four requests for information about the closures, the council’s propaganda department was unforthcoming about what might be behind these “Advance Warning” signs.
Yet it seems that the council’s new head of highways and traffic, Brian Fitzpatrick, has been issuing letters to individual households on the affected streets which explain the closures in full. Little, if any, consideration appears to have been given by the council to motorists from Croydon, Bromley or further afield who do not live on the affected streets but will likely encounter gridlock on the roads of South Norwood if they try to drive through the area over the coming month.
Despite the anticipated traffic gridlock, council official Fitzpatrick has a good news story to convey. Which makes it all the more surprising that the council press office chose not to share it with us, and Inside Croydon’s broader readership.
According to Fitzpatrick’s letter, the works, mostly funded by Transport for London, are intended to benefit pedestrians. They include traffic calming, an improved zebra crossing, and street trees.
Helpfully, the letter also clarified precisely where and when roads will be closed during the improvement works.
- Clifford Road will be closed at the Portland Road end from Monday, March 24, until April 21.
- Albert Road will be closed at the Portland Road end from April 5 to 21.
- Manor Road will be closed at the Portland Road end for the same period.
- Portland Road will be reduced to one lane, with temporary traffic lights, from Monday March 24 until April 21.
Buses and other traffic will be diverted, but Fitzpatrick gave no further details. He apologised “for any inconvenience caused”, but must be hoping that all will be forgiven once the work is done.
In detail, the benefits are as follows:
Information black hole: council communications over South Norwood road closures has been non-existent
The zebra crossing in Portland Road is to be “upgraded” and moved a few metres north.
Traffic in Clifford Road will be calmed with a “raised table” which will also make crossing easier for people in wheelchairs.
The entrances to all three roads will be narrowed to make them more pedestrian-friendly.
And… wait for it… new street trees will be planted, provided they do not interfere with services beneath the pavement.
The three measures will assist with what Fitzpatrick discreetly terms “road collision issues”.
Fitzpatrick said that local councillors (well, Bromley), representatives and schools had all been told about the works.
Just a pity that apparently no-one told the council press office.
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
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
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People from other places who drive fume-belchers through Croydon get all the warning they deserve, which is none !
It is a good job that TfL are funding this work, as you would never see pro-pollution Croydon Mayor, Piss-poor Perry do anything for pedestrians or cyclists.
Traffic jams and congestion generally creates more pollution, Jim. So it is short-sighted not to advise more people to avoid the area if possible.