UPDATE 26 October 2024
Earlier this week, I met with TfL to discuss several issues affecting Kenley, including the 434 bus route. TfL reaffirmed its commitment to running the route safely and want to see it operational as soon as possible.
To facilitate this, the council, in collaboration with TfL, needs to introduce parking restrictions on parts of Wattendon Road to ensure clear sightlines for bus drivers. This required a statutory consultation with affected residents, which has now closed, and the council is currently reviewing the objections that were received with input from Highways, Legal, and Finance before finalising, and signing off.
Setting a precise deadline for a decision is difficult at present, until we have seen the results of the consultation and the decision that the council makes as a result of the consultation. Once approved, the lines will need to be painted before TfL can commence service.
Both Cllr Kolade and I recognise the need for public transport for Kenley, particularly in underserved areas. We remain committed to working with TfL and the council to get this route up and running as soon as possible.
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UPDATE 18 September 2024
Croydon Council will begin advertising the planned parking restrictions starting tomorrow through the Croydon Guardian, London Gazette, and the council’s website. Letters will also be sent to the affected residents, allowing for feedback and any objections to be raised over the coming weeks.
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UPDATE 6 September 2024
The consultation report is currently with the Council's Legal Team, awaiting final approval. Once it receives sign-off from the Corporate Director, the statutory consultation process can begin, with letters sent to the directly affected residents. It is hoped that the public notice will be advertised later in September, after which any objections will be reviewed in a subsequent delegated decision report.
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UPDATE 15 August 2024
Croydon's Strategic Transport team reports that the the consultation is awaiting final sign off. I have asked to be informed when the formal consultation starts.
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UPDATE 30 July 2024
TfL continue to work with Croydon to resolve this issue. Croydon have drawn up proposals for the parking restrictions and are now taking these through their internal legal and financial approvals process. These approvals should happen in the next few weeks and then the restrictions can be advertised to residents.
If there are no objections, then Croydon will look to install the restrictions in the autumn so the bus route can be made operational. We’ll provide an update as soon as one is available.
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UPDATE 23 May 2024:
TfL have provided an update. The Highways and Parking team at Croydon have confirmed that they will start to advertise the proposed parking restrictions at the end of June. This is a statutory consultation period where residents have the opportunity to object to the plans if they want to. The next steps and timeframe depend on the results of this consultation.
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UPDATE 29 April 2024:
Following enquiries directly with the Director of Streets and Environment at Croydon Council, we have been updated that the council is proposing to install traffic restrictions in Wattendon Road to allow the bus to pass. This will take approximately 12 weeks as it is subject to statutory consultation. The council continue to work closely with TfL on this issue.
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UPDATE 24 April 2024:
I have received an additional update today from Transport for London (TfL) who are working closely with Croydon Council to address and resolve the issue regarding the bus route as soon as possible. The current focus shifts to Croydon's Highways and Parking team, who are now responsible for implementing parking controls on the pertinent section of Wattendon Road to sort out the driver sight lines safety concerns. Regarding timelines, it is anticipated that the resolution process may extend until mid to late summer of this year, contingent upon the completion of consultation processes and necessary approvals.
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UPDATE 21 April 2024:
Following my enquiry to TfL about the response to the FoI mentioned below, I received the following information on Wednesday from TfL:
Cllr Gander – I’m told that the only issue that needs to be resolved before the service is introduced are the sightlines on Wattendon Road. We are working with Croydon on this and I’ll be in touch again as soon as we have a better idea of the timescales for completing the necessary work.
Whilst it’s very frustrating that this issue is preventing the implementation of the planned bus route, it is good to have confirmation that there are no additional interventions needed.
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UPDATE 7th April 2024:
I share the frustration caused by the delay in implementing this route and have been actively engaging with both TfL and Croydon Council to facilitate close collaboration to expedite its implementation. TfL have informed Kenley Councillors and KENDRA, the residents association that addressing safety concerns, particularly on Wattendon Road, is paramount for the successful rollout of the bus route.
TfL has informed us that during the original route test, no issues were identified. However, upon re-testing the route just before its introduction, multiple vehicles were found parked on the bends of the road. This test drive was on 28th March, and it showed an “unacceptable” safety risk as drivers would be required to manoeuvre to the centre of the carriageway to pass the parked cars, with limited visibility of oncoming traffic around the bend.
TfL confirm that they are collaborating with Croydon to address these safety concerns and ensure the route is implemented as planned at the earliest opportunity.
Additionally, following a Freedom of Information request from a resident, it has come to our attention that besides the safety concerns on Wattendon Road, other issues have been raised along other parts of the route. These additional safety concerns have not been communicated to Councillors or to KENDRA, the Residents Association. We will be seeking a response from TfL regarding these additional concerns.
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New and changed bus routes have been advertised by Transport for London which affect routes through Kenley.
In this announcement, we had fully expected to see included the new bus route which was due to serve the top of Kenley, via Higher Drive, Cullesden Road, Firs Road, Wattendon Road and back down the hill via park Road.
This route is one that KENDRA, residents, Neil Garratt - our GLA Assembly Member and Kenley & Purley Councillors have been working towards for several years and so were deeply disappointed that it had seemingly been sidelined.
Following the publication of the changes earlier this week with the omission of the Higher Drive route for the 434, together with Neil Garratt, we immediately spoke to Tf to ask for an explanation.. We have subsequently been informed that the 434 will indeed be serving Higher Drive as soon as possible. The delay is due to line of sight issues which are being addressed.
TfL have said: “We will keep you updated with progress to implementing the full route – as consulted on – to improve connectivity for your residents at the top of Kenley. We are also updating the TfL website to make it clear that this is a temporary arrangement until the full change can be implemented."
We will continue to communicate with TfL on an implementation date. We know that the delay is frustrating.
