Temporary closure of street as a 'Play street'
06/09/2019 07:22:00.......Posted by Tim Pollard

A group of residents has submitted an application to the council to close part of Farm Fields for a few hours on 22 Sep (which is apparently also International Car-Free Day) for use as a 'Play street'. This is a council-promoted initiative encouraging residents to close off their street every month for a few hours to enable children to play outside free of cars and for the community to take the opportunity to meet each other.

The organisers are required to operate a small scale consultation with affected residents, which they have done without any objections being forthcoming.

Residents who need to get in and out of the closed part will be able to, accompanied by a marshall and driving at walking speed. The closure will be from the junction with Sanderstead Hill to the Tennis Courts/  No.11 from 2pm until 4pm. The rest of the street and its acess via Sundown Avenue will be unaffected.

The council has not yet approved the application, which has only just been submitted, although there is no reason to suppose they won't.

Bridge works on Sanderstead Road requiring road closure
03/09/2019 10:21:00.......Posted by Tim Pollard

Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown and South Croydon councillors (but not Sanderstead ones) have been informed that the rail bridge closest to South Croydon Rec is to be replaced. Although the bridge is a few hundred yards inside South Croydon ward, it is also very close to both PO&R and Sanderstead wards, and will have a big impact on journey times for our residents.

South Croydon councillors Jason Perry and Maria Gatland met with Council officers and representatives from Network Rail to get greater detail on how this will be implemented.

The new bridge will be constructed in South Croydon Rec prior to being moved into place. Access for the engineers and their equipment will be via part of the playgorund. Reassurances have been given that the park will be returned to its original state. However, we are unhappy that local residents will lose this public space during this time.

I understand that there will be some road closures, parking bay closures and one-way routes over the next 5 months.

The PDF link below shows greater detail of the first stage and once we have more information we will update on this blog. We have also asked officers to ensure that the Sanderstead team are also kept informed, as it will significantly affect our residents.

Some extra info here

Sanderstead Road - Public Footpath 142 - Adjoining Purley Oaks Road
09/08/2019 19:53:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

The above public footpath between Purley Oaks Road and Sanderstead Road is overgrown with weeds and hasn't been swept for some time.  Part of the railing is broken and makes it difficult for residents to navigate the steep hill in the winter when it becomes slippery.  I have been promised by officers that the matter will be corrected and the weeds cleared and the rail restored.  Hopefully before the winter arrives - or has it already!!

Resurfacing on Rectory Park
07/08/2019 17:36:00.......Posted by Tim Pollard

The ward team have today had notification of works to resurface Rectory Park. Details from the letter are pasted below.

I am writing to inform you that FMCONWAY , on behalf of Croydon Council, will shortly be commencing resurfacing at the location/s and date/s below:

Date: 22nd  to  24th     August  2019 between 20:00-05:00 

Location: Rectory Park                             

To enable the Contractor to undertake the works, on-street parking will be suspended during works hours.  We also kindly ask that with forward planning vehicular access to and from properties adjacent to the road are reduced to a minimum during the works hours. Pedestrian access will not be affected.

Advance driver / resident information boards will be in place before the works commence, advising of the precise dates and times of the road closure. 

Please however note that unforeseen circumstances (e.g. inclement weather conditions) may necessitate a change to the scheduled dates and information on road signs will be changed accordingly. Please check the road signs regularly for any updates

The resurfacing works will take place between  Westfield Avenue   and  Sanderstead Hill  . 

Due to the nature of these works it is inevitable that some disruption will occur. For this reason it is recommended that where possible you use alternative routes, or allow extra time to complete your journey. 

The on-street parking suspensions that will be in place within the works area are 19:30-05:00 on  22nd   to  24th    August   2019 . No parking for residents on the highway in the areas covered by the enforcement signs.

Please note that penalty charge notices (PCN’s) will be applied to vehicles parked within the suspended areas during the works hours and/or vehicles relocated. 

Due to the above we would urge all residents to ensure that their vehicles are moved from the suspended areas in order to avoid any delays to the works as well as incurring any charges.

If your vehicle is relocated please contact the LBC on 020 8726 6000 Ext 52816, who will provide you with an exact location of your vehicle. 

We are extremely sorry for the inconvenience this may cause residents; however we want to ensure that all works carried out on the Croydon network are to the highest standards to ensure value for our residents.

Mitchley Avenue Bench
06/08/2019 14:25:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

The Sanderstead Councillors were pleased to fund the new bench outside Mitchley Avenue doctors surgery near the bus stop from their community ward budget.  The doctors surgery had said that many patients who were elderly, frail or very unwell struggled to stand at the bus stop whilst waiting to get home after their appointments.  We hope that this place of rest will help  We also requested a new litter bin which has also been installed.

Hamsey Green Pond - Work by the Downland Volunteers
01/08/2019 15:08:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

I was pleased to see that a number of improvements have been made to Hamsey Green pond. Dead trees have been cut back and much of the ground around the pond has been cleared.  Some attempt has been made to soften the banks but this has not really been successful as a concrete base forms part of the pond on one side and a rockery leads into a four foot drop on the otherside.  Due to the extensive neglect over many years it is going to take some effort to return this important place of tranquility and biodiversity into a place for young children and elderly can enjoy.  The new benches are great and I am extremely grateful for all the efforts of the Dowland Trust who have worked so hard this week.

Hamsey Green Pond -1914
31/07/2019 21:10:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

A resident sent me this photograph of Hamsey Green pond in 1914.  It has changed quite a bit with the Limpsfield Road bringing one side of the bank much further in.  As you will all know I have spent a great deal of time working with members of the council to improve the pond which has been somewhat neglected.  I am still hoping that the banks can be improved so it has an educational purpose as well as its important biodiversity and ecological aspect.

BARROWSFIELD - Planning Committee this Thursday - 1st August
30/07/2019 07:14:00.......Posted by Lynne Hale

PLEASE ATTEND - PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING – THURSDAY 1st AUGUST 6.30pm

THE TOWN Hall, CROYDON CR0 1NX

Re: 18/05157/FUL – 2-5 Barrowsfield South Croydon CR2 9BZ

Demolition of existing buildings and erection of 4/5 storey building comprising 33 self-contained flats (5 x one bed, 14 x two bed and 14 x three bed), vehicular access on Limpsfield Road, 26 car parking spaces (including two disabled car parking spaces), integral cycle store for 64 cycles, integral bin storage, hard and soft landscaping, boundary treatment and communal amenity space at roof level.

Thanks to everyone for all the further email correspondence advising that you have lodged your comments with the Council in relation to the amendments which were recently lodged.for this terrible scheme. (There were 495 additional sets of comments lodged).

Since then a further 19 revised documents were added to the Council website in relation to this proposal, however it appears that the Officer’s report had already been written ready for this Thursday’s Planning Committee meeting, so planning officers didn’t feel the need to re-consult any further with residents. The recommendation is to approve the application.

Cllr Tim Pollard and I have lodged a formal complaint with the Council about this.

However, as things currently stand the application is being heard this Thursday, 1st August. The meeting starts 6.30pm and it would be much appreciated if as many residents as possible could attend.

Thanking you in advance for your support.

Sanderstead Road closure at West Hill junction – 403 bus diverted
24/07/2019 21:42:00.......Posted by Tim Pollard

To allow for a new sewer connection to a development at Sanderstead Road / West Hill a closure of Sanderstead Road will be in place from 24th July to 02nd August. The Council will also be making the most of the opportunity and getting any other connections the site requires from Sanderstead Road completed.

Diversions will be in place and Tfl have put in place the following diversion route for the 403 bus:

Route 403 towards Warlingham: From Selsdon Road at Carlton Road, ahead Selsdon Road, ahead Upper Selsdon Road, right Addington Road, left at roundabout, 1st exit Limpsfield Road to normal line of route

Route 403 towards West Croydon: From Limpsfield Road, right at roundabout 3rd exit Addington Road, left Selsdon Road, ahead Upper Selsdon Road to normal line of route

Ashdown Gardens - Hamsey Green Sanderstead
22/07/2019 12:10:00.......Posted by Yvette Hopley

A number of residents have raised concerns with me over the constant flooding of the street and surrounding area.  I met with officers and residents to see how we can find a solution to alleviate the problem.  As many residents are aware during heavy rain the dains are unable to cope with the amount of rainfall and therefore the excess water rises above the system and finds its way through properties into peoples gardens and driveways.  This is particularly scary as we are seeing a great deal more flash flooding with significant rises in rainfall over a short period.

This is not the only location to flood - we have seen Purley Oaks Road, Kingswood Avenue and Limpsfield Raod properties suffer in the past and it is important that we look to the future and the impact of global warming when taking into account flood prevention in the borough.

The picture here shows the area after a short period of rainfall last week.