The Croydon Advisory Forum on Active, Sustainable and Accessible Transport met on Tuesday 3 March 2024 to discuss a range of transport-related issues. Key discussions included presentations from the Cross River Partnership on designing places for sustainable travel, an update on bus shelter provision and accessible bus stops, and a review of speed limits across the borough. The forum also discussed actions from previous meetings and planned future agenda items.

Cross River Partnership Presentation

The forum heard a presentation from Safina and Isadora of the Cross River Partnership (CRP) on their work in designing places that encourage sustainable transport choices. CRP collaborates with local authorities, business improvement districts, and strategic organisations across London to reduce emissions, improve air quality, support economic vitality, and enhance community well-being. They highlighted the importance of interconnected systems in achieving modal shift, encompassing transport and freight, public realm and well-being, and engagement and influence.

The presentation referenced Lucy Saunders' Healthy Streets Indicators, a framework used by CRP to guide project design. Examples of CRP's work included the transformation of Hercules Road in Lambeth, where parking spaces were converted into green space, improving air quality, reducing the urban heat island effect, and enhancing the street's comfort and safety. CRP also discussed their involvement in the Healthy Streets Every Day 2 programme, aimed at reducing reliance on private cars, and the Just Streets project, which focuses on making public spaces more accessible and inclusive for vulnerable groups. They shared insights from projects involving e-cargo bikes and shared electric vehicles, demonstrating how these initiatives can reduce pollution, improve road safety, and decrease congestion. CRP expressed their keenness to support Croydon's ongoing regeneration efforts, particularly around West Croydon Station and North End High Street, offering their expertise in placemaking strategies and collaborative delivery.

During the Q&A, concerns were raised about the accessibility of documents for visually impaired individuals, the potential for electric vehicles to be too quiet, and the methods used for effective community engagement. The CRP representatives emphasised the importance of co-creation and involving diverse voices in the design process.

Bus Shelter Provision and Accessible Bus Stops

Rob Varney provided an update on bus shelter provision and accessible bus stops. Signage at West Croydon Station was refreshed in November 2024 as part of the London Overground renaming programme, with improvements to directional information. While no further immediate signage updates are planned for West Croydon Station due to budget constraints and upcoming station upgrades, this will be revisited during future planned refreshes or station developments.

In terms of new bus shelter installations across the Croydon network, 28 renewals were completed in 2024, and 100 new shelters were installed, with a further 28 renewals planned for 2025. Croydon was also selected for a trial of new bus shelters featuring CCTV in Thornton Heath and at West Croydon, with installation expected within the next couple of months. Discussions also touched upon the accessibility of CCTV footage for council use, the challenges of its application for civil matters, and the ongoing policy changes regarding GDPR.

The forum also discussed the 70th anniversary of the Routemaster bus and highlighted the 10th anniversary of the Supportline, a service that has assisted over 600 individuals and families affected by traumatic incidents on the transport network. TfL's draft business plan for the next five years was mentioned, outlining plans for 20,000 new homes, 6,000 zero-emission buses by 2030, and 158 new trains across various lines, including a new fleet of trams. The upcoming change in the London Overground service provider from Arriva to First Group was noted, with anticipated benefits including extra peak time trains and increased frequency. Updates were also provided on significant upgrade projects for the London Trams network, including resurfacing and track upgrades at Kent Gateway, Addiscombe Road, and Sandylands, which aim to improve reliability and reduce the need for service closures.

Concerns were raised about the removal and non-replacement of countdown signs at bus stops, the potential use of Section 106 funding for bus shelters, and the accessibility of new trams, particularly regarding audio announcements for visually impaired passengers. The forum also discussed the possibility of involving the forum in accessibility testing for new trams and the ongoing discussions about TfL potentially taking over services currently operated by GTR.

Speed Limits in the Borough

Tabrez Hussain, Highways Commissioning Manager, presented the Department for Transport's guidance on setting local speed limits. The core criteria include collision history, road topography, road function, the presence of vulnerable road users, existing traffic trends, and consultation with the police. It was emphasised that signage alone is often insufficient, and physical measures for enforcement and self-enforcing roads are increasingly preferred.

During the discussion, members raised concerns about the blanket application of 20mph speed limits, suggesting that some larger roads might be more suitable for 30mph limits, while certain town centre areas could benefit from lower limits due to pedestrian-vehicle conflict. The need for periodic reviews of speed limits and the process for changing them were discussed, with officers agreeing to investigate specific roads, including Selsdon Road, where a petition had been submitted. The importance of police enforcement was also highlighted, with a commitment to raise this issue with the Mayor and the Borough Commander.

Members also discussed the challenges of defining residential roads and the need for appropriate speed limits based on specific road characteristics rather than a universal rule. The criteria for setting speed limits, particularly the reliance on collision data, was questioned, with a desire to move towards predictive measures. The forum also noted that South Croydon Station had been removed from the Access for All programme due to cost and difficulty, and that future Access for All proposals would be considered in a couple of years.

Actions from Previous Meeting

Officers provided updates on actions from the previous meeting. Efforts to contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team regarding speed limits had been unsuccessful, and this would be added to the agenda for the Mayor's meeting with the Borough Commander. An update on the TFL proposal for the planning application was pending. A site visit and meeting regarding the 166-bus diversion identified potential junction modifications requiring feasibility work and funding, with efforts to allocate funds from the LIP fund for the next financial year.

Focus of the Next Meeting

Several items were suggested for the focus of the next meeting, including further discussion on bus shelters, speed limits in the borough, pavement parking, accessible bus stops, and car meets. The possibility of working group meetings outside of formal sessions to discuss detailed topics was also raised. The date for the next meeting was to be confirmed following the mayoral elections.

Any Other Business

Councillor Scott Roche, Deputy Civic Mayor, noted that South Croydon Station had been rejected from the Access for All programme due to cost and complexity. He suggested that future Access for All proposals could be considered in a couple of years, allowing time for stations to be nominated.

The meeting concluded with thanks to the officers and members for their contributions.