The Croydon Advisory Forum on Active, Sustainable and Accessible Transport met on Tuesday 09 December 2025 to discuss town centre regeneration, transport infrastructure plans, and the nationalisation of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR). The meeting included updates on town centre regeneration projects, the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) and Section 106 funding for transport improvements, and upcoming changes for GTR services.

Town Centre Regeneration

Updates were provided on several town centre regeneration projects. The Wellesley Road crossing is now open, with minor finishing works remaining. The Mayor of Croydon officially opened the crossing. Further works are underway on George Street, including the installation of new railings between tram and bus lanes, and pavement repairs. Work is also about to commence at Dingwall Road, with ongoing consultations. College Green has undergone consultation with positive responses, and infill works are planned for the subway under Minster Green in the new year. Designs for Surrey Street and a heritage trail are progressing well. The East Croydon link bridge is nearing the completion of legal agreements between Network Rail, the Council, and the developer, with works expected to begin in the new year. A discussion arose regarding the gated barrier and entrance to the station from the bridge, which is an ongoing conversation and not expected to be resolved before the bridge works are completed.

LIP Implementation Plan Update and Section 106 Funding

An update was provided on the Local Implementation Plan (LIP) and Section 106 funding. The LIP funding bid to Transport for London (TfL) totals £3.5 million. Approximately 50% is allocated to safer corridors and neighbourhoods, continuing programmes of local measures such as improved crossings and cycle contraflows, with a focus shifting to other wards beyond Addiscombe. School streets funding will support complementary measures like better crossings, routes to school, and cycle parking. Safer streets funding will continue the Portland Road scheme, with community engagement planned for the new year. Cycle projects include bus priority measures, with the 166 bus route included in the rolling programme, and proposals for Kent Gateway and Davidson Road to improve bus operations. Early stages are underway for micro-mobility, including cycle hire and potentially scooter hire, likely starting in the north of the borough. On-street cycle hangers, cycle training, and cycle training for schools are ongoing programmes. Discussions with TfL are ongoing regarding a potential micro-mobility trial in Crystal Palace, with engagement also occurring with Lime. A suggestion was made to request LIP funding for necessary infrastructure for a micro-mobility scheme, subject to council approval.

Section 106 funding, totalling just over £2 million, is intended to mitigate the impacts of developments and align with TfL projects. This includes funding for electric vehicle charging points and improvements to the accessibility and capacity of railway stations, primarily East Croydon, West Croydon, and Norwood Junction. This funding will cover feasibility and design development, with further funding anticipated to be required for implementation.

Concerns were raised about West Croydon station's accessibility, particularly for disabled passengers. Short-term improvements are being considered, with the aim of ensuring these do not prejudice longer-term growth plans. A proposed lift project for the overground platforms is intended to address the current ramp's functionality and staffing issues.

GTR Nationalisation

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) services, including Southern, Thameslink, and Great Northern, are set to enter public ownership on 31 May 2026. For customers, this means no immediate changes to services, ticketing, or employee practices. The longer-term implications for GTR within the proposed Great British Railways structure remain uncertain, particularly for Thameslink services. Timetable changes are scheduled for December, including additional services for Norwood Junction and increased off-peak services for Sanderstead and Riddlesdown on Thursdays and Fridays. Transport for London (TfL) has expressed interest in taking devolved control of Great Northern metro services, with a business case being developed. Aspirations exist to increase services on the southern network, including lengthening trains and running extra services around the Croydon borough, constrained by the availability of rolling stock. GTR's work with its Access Advisory Panel and trial schemes for disabled passengers is expected to continue under public ownership.

Speed Limits in the Borough

Discussions on speed limits in the borough focused on the enforcement of existing 20 mph limits, with ongoing efforts to contact the Metropolitan Police for support. A petition regarding speed limits on Selsdon Road was mentioned, and officers will investigate this further. The process for changing speed limits involves consultation with various stakeholders, including TfL and the Metropolitan Police, and is assessed on a case-by-case basis, considering collision data and road design. The council aims to address road safety concerns through a wider approach, including the impact on school streets and the potential for measures such as speed bumps or road redesigns, though limitations exist due to data requirements and budget constraints.

Pavement Parking and Bus Shelters

Pavement parking was raised as a significant issue, with a request for a discussion on the rules surrounding it and its prevalence in Croydon. While acknowledged as a problem, particularly in areas with narrower pavements, it is on the council's parking strategy agenda. The effectiveness of enforcement and the possibility of implementing physical measures like bollards or street furniture to prevent pavement parking were discussed. The issue of bins being left out on pavements for extended periods, further obstructing access, was also highlighted.

Concerns were raised about the accessibility of bus stops for visually impaired individuals, as current TfL bus stops do not provide verbal countdown information. The possibility of implementing talking bus stops was suggested for future discussion, acknowledging TfL's budgetary constraints. Regarding bus shelters, a specific outstanding issue on the 404 route, due to be installed in 2019, was discussed. TfL has indicated internal conversations about funding for this and other bus shelters, potentially through Section 106 contributions or third-party funding. The council will investigate the availability of remaining Section 106 funds from the Brick by Brick development on the estate. An action was taken to ascertain the exact number of bus shelters replaced by TfL and any further planned installations.

Other Matters

A concerning issue of illegal car meets in Oswald's Crescent, involving over 100 vehicles, was reported. These events have caused significant disruption, blocking access for an ambulance station, Waitrose deliveries, and night buses, and have been linked to serious accidents in the past. Previous measures to curb such activities in other locations were noted, and an action was taken to follow up on this issue.

An update was provided on the Electric Vehicle (EV) charging point strategy, with a draft currently undergoing approval and public consultation anticipated in the new year. The LEVI procurement process, a funding stream for EV charging points, has experienced delays, with an updated timeline expected after April.