Transport for London is to invest £7.6million in schemes across Croydon during 2017-18.
Road safety improvements, better cycle access and improved air quality are among the benefits being promised with Croydon Council initiatives set to benefit including:
South Norwood regeneration: £750,000 towards improved pedestrian access, tree planting, better pavements, and new outdoor seating for shoppers and businesses in Station Road and Portland Road.
20mph speed limit: £300,000 towards designing council plans for a third area of the borough to get a permanent limit in all streets except major through roads. The first 20mph limit area went live in the north of the borough last week, and a final decision is expected on Area 2 this winter.
Air quality improvements: £70,000 towards the council employing an extra member of staff and contractors to develop and monitor a borough-wide plan to limit pollution from lorries, including during the construction of the Westfield / Hammerson shopping centre.
Road safety measures: £465,000 towards schemes from new speed signs to children’s education campaigns
Walking and cycling measures: £460,000 towards schemes including better pedestrian crossings and bike training for children plus £200,000 on a new network of walking and cycling routes through parks
Bus accessibility improvements: £150,000 towards accessibility schemes including ramps and tacile paving
The TfL money, which comes from its Local Implementation Plan fund, includes more than £2.7m towards better road, pedestrian and cycle access across the borough, plus £3.4m to upgrade bridges, and £1.4m to fix main roads. The £3.4m bridge funding includes a £3m replacement bridges project with TfL in Blackhorse Lane and £120,000 to replace a wall in Grange Road. The TfL money will have to be matched by council contributions.
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.”
The funding allocation will be discussed at a meeting of the council’s cabinet next Monday.