Croydon’s Streetspace Improvements Programme Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why have you closed my street to through traffic?

As part of our Streetspace programme, we have introduced Low Traffic Streets in some areas of the borough. The Streetspace programme was introduced to give people more space to walk and cycle safely during COVID-19. It is a response to:

Central government’s call to all local authorities to make significant changes to their road layouts to give more space to for people to walk and to cycle, to help people get fit and healthy lowering their risk of illness; and

requests from residents to tackle the problems arising from through traffic cutting through residential streets

During lockdown, residents across the borough benefited from a reduction in motor traffic, creating safe, cleaner, less polluted streets. More people decided to walk and cycle for travel and exercise. In some areas there has been a 70% increase in the number of people choosing to cycle for short journeys. We want to encourage more of this as we move forward in the recovery, and by changing the traffic flow in key areas, we can encourage people to consider other options for their journeys. The streets remain open to people who are walking or cycling, and in some instances to bus services.

Many local residents have celebrated the implementation their Low Traffic Streets and have written to us in support, commenting on how much safer, quieter and cleaner their street has become.

Why have you closed streets to through traffic in Crystal Palace?

In Crystal Palace and Upper Norwood, public transport usage is usually very high. However, with social distancing on public transport, its capacity is down by 70%, many people are now seeking alternative forms of transport. Many households in Croydon do not have access to a car. For those that do, Croydon does not have the road capacity or environmental capacity for all to drive.

Croydon Council and Transport for London’s concern is that if there is even a small increase in the percentage of people choosing to use cars for their daily travel, this could likely result in significant traffic congestion, noise and air pollution on the borough road network.

Without a continued reduction in motor traffic and a shift toward more sustainable forms of transport, we will not meet our climate and healthy lifestyle goals, so it’s important that we prevent a car-based COVID-19 recovery.  Further, for many years local residents have expressed concerns about the volume of motor traffic in the area, often speeding through quieter residential streets that are also home to several schools.

In the early days of lockdown we responded quickly to calls from residents of the South Norwood end of Auckland Road to tackle the number and speed of cars cutting through their streets. This was made easier by Southern Gas Networks having closed Auckland Road at the same time. Once Southern Gas Networks informed us of their intention to reopen

Auckland Road, we moved to retain the benefits of that closure whilst removing the issues it was causing at the Crystal Place end of Auckland Road and on the 410 bus.

We are continuing to look at ways we might adjust the measures to make it easier for residents within the neighbourhood to drive where they need to, when they need to, whilst keeping through traffic out of the neighbourhood. What are the benefits of Low Traffic Streets?

Low Traffic Streets enable us to create attractive, safer, less polluted streets for local people, address long standing concerns around climate change and the health implications of reduced physical activity.  The temporary schemes will make local streets more attractive in the following ways: 

Safer, cleaner, less polluted – addressing concerns around congestion and road safety. Streets that support sustainable, cleaner methods of travel like cycling or walking –

addressing concerns around poor air quality and climate change. Streets that encourage and enable increased physical activity – addressing concerns

about poor physical health and obesity. 

It’s estimated that annually there are 64,000 excess deaths due to air pollution in the United Kingdom. Research by Transport for London (TfL) shows that in London around 1.6 million car trips a day could be walked and another 2.7 million journeys could be cycled. That’s excluding ‘heavy’ shopping trips and people with disabilities etc. If everyone walked or cycled where possible to do so, we expect to reduce car trips by 38%. The schemes will contribute in reducing those car trips, creating less polluted, healthier streets for local people.

You have explained how travel across London could potentially change, but what about Croydon, specifically?

Croydon has the highest potential in London for people to switch to both walking and cycling.

More than 400,000 trips each day by Croydon residents (most by car but some by public transport) could be made by cycling and other healthier, quieter alternatives. Over 125,000 trips each day could be walked but currently aren’t.

What else are you proposing as part of the Streetspace programme?

There are six main components to the programme:

Low Traffic Streets – streets that are closed to through traffic but maintain access for residents deliveries etc. and full access to people walking and people on bikes, and sometimes to buses.

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods – a group of low traffic streets that allow access for residents but discourage or reduce through traffic.

Exercise Zones – a street that is closed for part of the day to allow local residents to use the Streetspace for play and exercise

Footway Expansion – temporary widening of footways using barriers to provide space social distancing

Speed Awareness – installation of new ‘watch your speed’ signs reminding drivers to keep to the speed limit

Cycling Facilities – introduction of new segregated cycle lanes to accommodate the increased number of cyclists using our streets.

The programme is helping TfL deliver its Streetspace Plan for London https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/streetspace-for-london and as such is part of a bigger programme across London https://www.sustrans.org.uk/streetspace-for-london/

What is a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN)?

Low Traffic Neighbourhoods as defined by Living Streets are: “groups of residential streets, bordered by main or “distributor” roads (the places where buses, lorries, non-local traffic should be), where “through” motor vehicle traffic is discouraged or removed. As TfL explains, Low Traffic Neighbourhoods give space and security for local walking and cycling, and an enhanced ability to maintain social distancing. There’s lots of ways you can make a Low Traffic Neighbourhood, but the main principle is that those residents who have a car can drive into their street, get deliveries etc., but it’s harder or impossible to drive straight through’’

LTNs create attractive streets for walking and cycling by preventing unnecessary short cuts, also known as ‘rat-running’, using quieter residential streets whilst maintaining local access for residents and visitors. LTNs have the following key benefits:

Stopping through traffic while maintaining access for residents – less traffic decreases the possibility of collisions and speeding thereby improving overall road safety.

Reducing congestion, air and noise pollution Prioritising routes for buses and cyclists Encouraging active travel such as walking and cycling Enabling safe, socially distanced travel while public transport capacity is reduced

Why is tackling air pollution so important?

There is a clear link between poor air quality and health. High levels of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and ozone can have impacts on sensitive people including children, the elderly and those who suffer from respiratory problems like asthma and bronchitis.

It has been estimated that the economic cost of the health impacts of poor air quality in London could be as high as £2 billion. Reductions in emissions and exposure can have significant savings in health budgets, so it is worth investing in preventative measures the help reduce air pollution.

As part of our commitment to improving air quality in Croydon, we've teamed up with five other South London councils to develop the Love Clean Air website. It has information to help people learn more about air quality, features local air quality maps, an interactive diagram of air pollutants and their sources, as well as videos about the issue and its health implications.

Changing your behaviour can help to improve air quality. Visit Love Clean Air to find out how you can help to make the air even cleaner.

Why is tackling physical inactivity so important?

In Croydon, 1 in 5 children starting primary school are overweight or obese and by the time they reach secondary school – this has increased to more than 1 in 3. These figures are higher than both the London and national average, and are increasing over time.

33,280 people aged 18 or above registered with a Croydon GP are obese (2016/17). Obesity is higher in the north of the borough.

Physical activity, like cycling and walking, can help to prevent and manage over 20 chronic conditions and diseases, including some cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and depression.

Physical inactivity is responsible for one in six UK deaths (equal to smoking) and is estimated to cost the UK £7.4 billion annually (including £0.9 billion to the NHS alone).

I can’t always walk or cycle, I still need my car to travel – what do I do?

The objective of the scheme isn’t to stop the use of the highway by motor traffic, but it does aim to reduce the amount of non-local through traffic from using quieter residential streets to bypass the main road network. Access to streets that have been closed off will still be maintained for local residents, visitors, deliveries and emergency services.

We recognise that having to use a car is necessary at times, we are looking at ways to allow those living within the closed streets to drive in and out with ease, whilst discouraging through traffic.

I live in an area with a lot of hills. Can these be easily cycled?Yes! If you haven’t heard of e-bikes, you might be pleased to find that adding an electric motor to a bike can really assist with big hills. Those needing more space might also find a cargo e-bike to be a great option. You can try one out using our Try Before You Bike programme. Learn more at https://www.croydon.gov.uk/cycling

How will the scheme work?

All the road closures are self-enforcing through the installation planters at one end of the road with exception of the Auckland Road bus gate, which is enforced through cameras.

Why can’t the council enforce the closures using cameras with exemption for local residents?

There is potential for the closures to be enforced using cameras with exemption for local residents. You may know that other London boroughs have introduced similar schemes but in smaller areas. It is something we do at our School Pedestrian Zones.

Officers are actively investigating the feasibility of this at Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, however it’s worth noting that this can be a complex process heavily reliant on bespoke camera technology that takes time to procure, and there are further technical challenges we need to overcome.

Why is there congestion on main roads such as Church Road and South Norwood Hill?

Additional congestion on Church Road is being caused in large part by temporary traffic lights, and scaffolding on the road preventing the Milkhouse Candle building from collapsing. This is due to structural damage caused by a speeding motorist colliding with the building. We appreciate that the temporary traffic lights here are creating longer traffic queues.

We are doing everything in our power to increase pressure on the insurance company responsible for repairs of the Milkhouse Candles site. For the latest updates on this issue, you can follow @YourCroydon on social media, and subscribe to our weekly e-bulletin. A planned gas main replacement scheme (which is required by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) requirement to replace the ageing gas main) is causing congestion and delay on South Norwood Hill.

The works have been planned for quite some time to be undertaken during the summer school holidays when traffic flows are likely to be at their lowest. The utility company notified residents of the temporary works via letter one month in advance, with a follow-up letter closer to the start date.

The utility company will be monitoring traffic flows and the signals will be under manual control during peak periods from 07.00 – 09.00 and 16.00 – 1800 to allow for adjustments should they be necessary, based on traffic volumes accordingly to minimise impact.

What about pollution from vehicles using other roads that are already congested?

By providing more safe space for people to walk and cycle our aim is to help make these alternatives more appealing, especially for short journeys.

For journeys that must be driven, we are asking that engines be turned off when the car is not moving https://wp.croydon.gov.uk/newsroom/croydon-council-joins-london-wide-crackdown-on-idling-drivers/ We are fortunate that many modern cars do this automatically and the emissions standard of vehicles used in Croydon is improving through regulation and the increasing uptake of hybrid and electric vehicles.

The north of the borough is also expected to additionally benefit from its proximity to the Ultra-Low Emission Zone when that is expanded. How can people get around the street closures?

People can walk or cycle through the closures and in some instances travel through by bus. For those who are driving, the easiest way to navigate around the closures is to use navigation apps like Google Maps, as the route and street closures will be updated live into these systems.

We will also be introducing more advance warning signage as the schemes are implemented to inform motorists of the closures.

How long will the partial street closures last?

The new measures are being introduced on a temporary basis for up to 18 months. Consultation will be carried out on the final proposals before any measures proposed were to be made permanent. In the meanwhile, the best methods to submit your comments, concerns or suggestions is by visiting: www.croydon.gov.uk/streetspace . For specific questions

unavailable in this FAQ or on our website, you can send an email to highwayimprovements@croydon.gov.uk

Why wasn’t there a consultation before the measures went in?

We did not consult formally prior to the installation of the scheme because we were required by both central government and TfL to reallocate space on the highway to pedestrians and cyclists quickly.

To enable this, changes were made to legislation in May 2020 to allow local authorities to install such measures swiftly and temporarily to accommodate a significant increase in walking and cycling, but without formal consultation.

However, this does not mean that you don’t have an opportunity to provide your comments, concerns or suggestions – we are keen to hear from you so please continue to provide feedback on our website.

We are engaging with residents in the following ways:

a webpage dedicated to the emergency programme where residents can find the most up-to-date information and submit feedback using an online form: www.croydon.gov.uk/streetspace

Posts on social media For further information you can contact the Highway Improvements Team via email at:

highwayimprovements@croydon.gov.uk

If it is proposed to make a measure permanent, additional and formal consultation will be undertaken beforehand.

Will there be a consultation?

A formal consultation will happen before any scheme becomes permanent. Local residents and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to comment formally on the proposals. In the meantime the best method to submit your comments, concerns or suggestions is by visiting: www.croydon.gov.uk/streetspace or email highwayimprovements@croydon.gov.uk

How were people informed of the proposals?

We have informed local people in the following ways:

 Those requesting the scheme were informed when and how it would be implemented Public notices Local community members affected by the scheme, through hand delivery of 1,500

letters sent on 23 July and 30 July 2020. – copies of these letters can be sent to you at your request.

Local ward councillors Local and statutory groups, including but not limited to local schools, places of worship,

emergency services and transport operators Counterparts at our neighbouring London Borough of Bromley Informed popular navigation applications such as Google Maps

Will the closures and other measures under this programme be made permanent?

All measures are being introduced temporarily. As lockdown is eased, officers will review all of the temporary measures and consider what to recommend be revoked, amended or made permanent (taking account of government and TfL policy and guidance) and how to consult on the proposed action.

How will you know if the scheme has been a success?

A successful scheme is one where the benefits of the changes to the route and to residents in the area, outweigh the negatives. It also takes into consideration all streets in the area, the need to help people be more active in part to improve their health, residents and other stakeholders’ views and opinions.

Where necessary, changes would continue to be made to try and enhance the benefits, in consultation with residents.

What guidance have you received from central government?

Central government has made it clear that it expects local authorities to make significant changes to the highway to give more space for cyclists and pedestrians https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities/traffic-management-act-2004-network-management-in-response-to-covid-19

The government on Tuesday 28 July 2020 launched a new vision for walking and cycling in England labelled ‘’Gear change: a bold vision for walking and cycling’’. The scheme aims to build on the significant increase in the number of people cycling during the pandemic. It sets out a comprehensive, long term vision to increase active travel and embed the benefits of walking and cycling into how we live, work and get around.

Is Croydon the only London borough introducing these measures?

Croydon isn’t the only borough introducing new highway improvement measures. Twenty local authorities across London https://www.sustrans.org.uk/streetspace-for-london/ and others across the country are introducing schemes that encourage walking and cycling in line with the above guidance and other central government initiatives that support these initiatives. In London these measures are part of Transport for London’s (TfL) Streetspace for London programme.

For further information on the London-wide programme please visit: https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/streetspace-for-london

How is Croydon’s Streetspace funded?

We have received funds from Transport for London (TfL) provided to it by central government, and a small amount direct from the Department for Transport. TfL and other local authorities are delivering similar initiatives across London as part of a London-wide Streetspace Improvement Programme.

I have concerns about poor driver behaviour and speeding on my street, how can I report this?

Speeding or poor driver behaviour is an enforcement matter. Please contact the MET police to report any traffic incidents using their online report a traffic incident tool: https://www.met.police.uk/ro/report/rti/rti-a/report-a-road-traffic-incident/

Can I still park in the street?

Yes. Please continue to park in bays but remember that parking on double yellow lines is still prohibited. For any specific queries in relation to parking please email: parkingdesign2@croydon.gov.uk or parkingsuspensions@croydon.gov.uk

How will our waste and recycling be collected?

There will be no change to our rubbish collection service. Refuse officers have been informed of all the new measures.

How will emergency services get in?

Emergency services have full access to the street, and recently we have increased access to allow for emergency vehicles on call to use the bus gate on Auckland Road.

Residents need to make sure that they park responsibly so there is no issue if a vehicle needs to reverse. All emergency services have been informed of the measures.

Will GPS and Sat Nav Services be updated with the changes?

Yes. We have used the proper channels prior to putting measures in to request updates to popular navigation apps such as Google Maps, so that users will have the most up-to-date information.

Will I still be able to get my deliveries?

Yes. The street will only be closed at one end, so delivery vehicles will be able to access the street. Local residents need to make sure that they park responsibly so there is no issue if a vehicle needs to reverse or turnaround. For any specific queries in relation to parking please email: parkingdesign2@croydon.gov.uk or parkingsuspensions@croydon.gov.uk

Can we walk or cycle through the road closure?

Yes. There is still full access to walk, cycle, scoot, roll, etc.

Who will maintain the planters?

At present, our contractors are responsible for the maintenance of the planters. This is under review, and where residents wish to maintain the plants please do so.

Is there access for the elderly and disabled?

Yes, we are aiming to make the street safer for all of our residents to use. There is access for those who want to use a bike, trike as a mobility aid or mobility scooters as they will be able get through the barriers that stop motor vehicles. No disabled parking bays will be suspended.

Where can I find an updated list of further Streetspace measures?

For the latest updates on the programme please visit: http://www.croydon.gov.uk/streetspace

Can I suggest a location for new improvement measures?

Yes. Complete the online form located on the following webpage http://www.croydon.gov.uk/streetspace or email: highwayimprovements@croydon.gov.uk

What is the latest government advice on lockdown restrictions?

We strongly recommend visiting the following website for the latest updates on lockdown restrictions and the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Who should I contact for further queries?

For now, all the new initiatives are being introduced on a temporary basis by our Highway Improvements Team, with the assistance of officers from services across the Place Department.

The best way to give your feedback on these measures is by using our feedback pages at www.croydon.gov.uk/streetspace

For further queries not addressed in this FAQ or elsewhere on our Streetspace pages, please email: highwayimprovements@croydon.gov.uk