The Croydon Advisory Forum on Active, Sustainable and Accessible Transport met to discuss a range of transport-related issues, including the work of the Cross River Partnership, bus shelter provision, and speed limits across the borough. Key decisions included noting the progress on various transport initiatives and agreeing to further investigate specific concerns raised by forum members.

Cross River Partnership Presentation

The forum received a presentation from Safina and Isadora of the Cross River Partnership (CRP), an organisation that collaborates with local authorities, Business Improvement Districts, and strategic agencies to improve environmental impact, economic vitality, and community well-being. They highlighted their work in designing places that encourage sustainable transport choices, referencing the Healthy Streets Indicators¹ as a guiding framework. Examples of their projects included the transformation of Hercules Road in Lambeth, which saw the conversion of parking spaces into green space, improving air quality and reducing the urban heat island effect. They also discussed their involvement in the Healthy Streets Every Day 2 and Just Streets ² programmes, which aim to reduce reliance on private cars and support active travel, with a particular focus on inclusivity for vulnerable groups. The CRP team offered their expertise to Croydon Council in areas such as placemaking strategies, data analysis, and bridging gaps between different stakeholders.

Bus Shelter Provision and Accessible Bus Stops

Robert Varney from Transport for London (TfL) provided an update on bus shelter provision and accessible bus stops. He reported that 28 bus shelter renewals were completed in 2024, with 100 new installations and a further 28 renewals planned for 2025. Croydon has been selected for two trial new bus shelters featuring CCTV, one in Thornton Heath and one at West Croydon, expected to be installed within the next couple of months. Signage at West Croydon Station has been refreshed to improve wayfinding, with directional information updated to be more specific. While no immediate further changes are planned for the station's signage due to budget constraints and upcoming station developments, these will be revisited.

Concerns were raised about the removal of countdown signs when bus shelters were replaced, with a request to reinstate any missing signs. TfL acknowledged that some signs had not been replaced and that there were challenges in sourcing and reusing them. The issue of accessible bus stops was also discussed, with a specific mention of the need for talking bus stops to aid visually impaired users. TfL committed to researching talking bus stops in Lewisham and providing an update.

Regarding the new trams, forum members requested to be involved in accessibility and usability testing, citing past issues with announcement systems on the Stadler trams. TfL indicated that the outcome of the invitation to tender for new trams is pending, but there are plans to engage with the Independent Disability Advisory Group (IDAG) and the forum on indicative designs and testing phases.

The discussion also touched upon the potential for TfL to take over services currently operated by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) within London boundaries. While nationalisation might simplify the process for TfL to bid for and operate these services, significant hurdles remain in integrating them into the existing network.

Speed Limits in the Borough

Tabrez Hussain, Highways Commissioning Manager, presented the Department for Transport's (DfT) guidance on setting local speed limits. The criteria include collision history, road topography, road function, user composition, existing traffic speeds, and road environment. It was emphasised that signage alone is often insufficient, and physical measures are increasingly preferred for self-enforcing roads.

Members raised concerns about the blanket application of 20 mph speed limits, suggesting that some roads, particularly town centres like Coulsdon and Selsdon, would benefit from a 30 mph limit due to pedestrian and vehicle conflict, while some residential roads might be more appropriately set at 20 mph. The forum noted that the Mayor has expressed a desire to review speed limits generally. A significant point of discussion was the reliance on collision data, with members questioning how to address potential risks before accidents occur. Officers explained that while data is crucial for justification, a holistic approach considering road geometry and potential hazards is also employed. The need for police enforcement was also highlighted, with a commitment to raise this issue with the Borough Commander.

Other Discussions and Future Agenda Items

The forum also discussed the Town Centre Regeneration Programme, with updates on various projects including the Wellsley Road Crossing, George Street, Dingwall Road, College Green, Minster Green, Northend, Surrey Street, and the East Croydon link bridge. The EV Strategy & LEVI Procurement Update indicated that the EV strategy was in draft and anticipated for consultation, with LEVI procurement timelines still being clarified. An update on the LIP Implementation Plan detailed funding bids for safer corridors, school streets, cycle projects, and bus priority schemes. Concerns were raised about micromobility, specifically abandoned e-scooters and e-bikes, and their impact on accessibility and public safety.

The West Croydon Station Improvements were discussed, with members reiterating concerns about accessibility and the need for lifts on all platforms. The GTR Nationalisation was noted, with the representative confirming the transfer of GTR to public ownership and potential future integration with TfL.

Several items were suggested for future meetings, including a deeper dive into collision analysis, the A232 route, a presentation from Lime on their micromobility operations, parking provisions for new developments, pavement parking policies, and the TfL fare structure. The possibility of working group meetings for more detailed discussions was also proposed.

Finally, it was noted that South Croydon Station has been rejected for the Access for All ³ programme due to cost and complexity, with a suggestion to consider Sandhurst Station as a more suitable alternative for future accessibility upgrades.