District centre and transport boost for Croydon

Transport for London (TfL) is set to provide £7.6 million into Croydon Council's ongoing transport infrastructure regeneration in 2017/18.

The borough-wide regeneration focus on South Norwood will see £750,000 put towards improved pedestrian access, tree planting, better pavements, and new outdoor seating for shoppers and businesses in Station Road and Portland Road.

The council will also receive £300,000 towards designing its plans for a third area of the borough to get a permanent 20mph limit in all streets except major through roads.

£70,000 will be allocated for air quality improvement measures, with the council planning to employ contractors to monitor a borough-wide plan to limit pollution from lorries, including during the construction of the Westfield/Hammerson shopping centre.

TfL will also fund £460,000 for walking and cycling measures, including better pedestrian crossings and bike training for children, £200,000 on a new network of walking and cycling routes through parks, and £465,000 towards road safety measures, from new speed signs to children’s education campaigns.

Councillor Stuart King, cabinet member for transport and environment, said: “This funding for improved transport infrastructure is crucial to maintaining our borough’s growing reputation as a great place to live, work and invest, not just in Croydon itself but also in our district centres.

“I’m especially pleased that it allows us to upgrade not just local roads but also the infrastructure needed so more people can lead greener and healthier lives by walking and cycling more.”