Croydon Council is pressing ahead with low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs), undeterred by criticism from a neighbouring authority.
The council said the next phase of its Streetspace scheme will launch on 28 September and will use planters and signs to ‘transform four more streets into places to walk, cycle and exercise while maintaining car access for their residents’.
Parsons Mead
The scheme aims to reduce the number of cars cutting between Mitcham Road and London Road, and covers Derby Road, Handcroft Road, Mead Place and Parsons Mead.
The council said the Broad Green LTN is part of its Streetspace programme, which is funded by Transport for London (TfL) and is a response to legislation from central government helping local councils to put in place measures 'that encourage walking and cycling’.
The new scheme, introduced under a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order, follows similar schemes and brings the borough total to 20.
Muhammad Ali, deputy cabinet lead for transport and the environment and a local ward councillor, said: ‘Data from TfL has found that more than half a million daily Croydon car journeys could be taken on foot or by bicycle, so unlocking this potential could have massive benefits for our residents’ health. During Covid-19, helping families stay fit and healthy is more important now than ever.
‘We recognise that not all trips can be made on a bicycle. If successful, this scheme would actually see a reduction in traffic, making it easier to drive in the area for those that need to, as people feel increasingly empowered to leave the car at home more often. In Derby Road alone there have been several collisions in recent years, so cutting through traffic will make these roads quieter and safer.’
The council said that, as with other schemes, it welcomes ongoing feedback and will take this into account when deciding whether the scheme should be made permanent, amended or removed. A formal consultation will be carried out on any proposals to make the scheme permanent.
Last month Bromley council leader Colin Smith said his authority was considering legal action over the knock-on impact of the Croydon LTN covering the Crystal Palace triangle,
Cllr Smith has now written to transport secretary Grant Shapps over the issue.
He told Transport Network: ‘We asked Croydon Council to remove their measures, which they installed without the necessary consultation and since then have raised the matter with TfL as the legal process dictates and this has also been raised with the GLA. and the secretary of state for transport too.
‘Whilst Bromley understands and accepts that any local highway authority might wish to protect residents from excessive traffic movements, simply shifting that traffic to other streets, particularly in a neighbouring authority area, is totally unacceptable and we will continue to pursue this important principal with Croydon, ever hopeful of convincing them to rethink their unilateral action.’
The Department for Transport confirmed that it had received Mr Smith’s letter but did not state how or when it would respond.
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