Issue - meetings

The Committee considered a report which outlined the evolution of the Temporary Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) at Crystal Palace and South Norwood, implemented in stages in response to the ongoing Covid19 Pandemic.

Ian Plowright, Head of Transport, Planning and Strategic Transport, and Rachel Flowers, Director of Public Health, introduced the report and gave a presentation. This can be found on the following link:

https://webcasting.croydon.gov.uk/meetings/11439

Public Speakers

Eliska Finlay, representative of Open Our Roads, addressed the Committee and explained that the response rate from the consultation was high, and clearly showed that residents wanted the scheme to be removed entirely. She raised concern that despite fewer residents voted in favour of the scheme, the recommendations to the Cabinet Member of Sustainable Croydon were to continue. Local residents and the local primary school had explicitly asked the council to not install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) camera technology; however, the consultation period and engagement with the residents had appeared to have broken down as residents were feeling powerless and their quality of life issues were being dismissed. She requested that the Cabinet Member did not extend the scheme, and instead, re-consulted with the four key boroughs, local schools, local businesses, and residents to design a scheme which was appropriate for the area. A specific transport and traffic management strategy was needed for the area, which included full data to measure the success or failings of a new scheme being introduced. Eliska Finlay concluded by stating that residents would welcome a scheme that improved the environment and reduced the reliance on cars, as long as it was suitable for the area.

Stuart Aitken addressed the Committee in his capacity as a local resident of Patterson Road, Bromley, and explained that the residents of Patterson Road and neighbouring streets had been effected with an additional large amount of traffic that Croydon Council had diverted through when the scheme was implemented. He noted that the residents had sent multiple emails, over 1000 people had signed a petition to remove the scheme, two videos had been sent of over 50 cars queuing to leave the area, and of two very serious incidents of road rage. He explained that these had felt ignored by Croydon Council. He concluded by reading a story, which had been sent to Croydon Council in September 2020, written by his neighbour who had lived on Patterson Road for 20 years:

“I got a call at 9am telling me my mother was dying. I jumped into my car in a state of panic. The normal 10 minute journey took me 40 minutes because of the heavy traffic Croydon Council had caused. As I walked into her room, she took her very last breath. I cannot tell you the pain and suffering you have caused me. I wasn't there to hold her hand and tell her how much I loved her. Because you decided to close off the roads of only a few privileged people impacting the majority of us, but also me, very,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5

(Report to follow)