You may remember that it was published here and elsewhere (including Inside Croydon) in February 2024 that the Council had put the Calat Centre site up for sale on the open market after 8 years of struggling by Residents’ Associations, Coulsdon businesses etc. and 2 years by Chris Philp MP’s attempts in discussions with CEX of NHS South West London and Ministers to get a Health Centre for Coulsdon, only to have disappointment following disappointment. The south of the Borough only has 7 medical facilities (reduced from 9) as opposed to the 49 in the rest of the Borough, acknowledged as only 7 in the presentation from the NHS. That publicity of the sale resulted in hastily issued press releases by the Council and Chris to says that agreement has been reached by the Council and the NHS to sell the site to the NHS, including trying to blame ‘local activists’ for delaying the process.
Residents’ Association representatives met with Mathew Kershaw, CEO of Croydon NHS on the 18th March 2024 to discuss the Coulsdon Medical centre on the Calat site. Mathew assured us that the NHS had now purchased the site, NHS England had now released the funding and they were pressing ahead with the design. We asked when we could share the news. He said it should be by the end of the month – March 2024.
We received the PowerPoint presentation that also includes the design this morning. Chris Philp MP seems to have it received yesterday.
The important issues are:
The disabled and Ambulance access from Woodcote Grove Road has been restored (but we expect some opposition from Croydon Highways).
Pedestrian access will also be from Chipstead Valley Road and they will discuss with the Dialysis centre access from Malcolm Road.
The building will be smaller with the ability to add floors when more funding becomes available.
The building will be for one GP Practice . What we don’t know as yet if this will be an existing Coulsdon GP or it will be a new GP Practice.
They hope to submit a planning application in April. It is important that we all support the application.
If Planning is agreed quickly they hope to complete by Summer 2025.
The PowerPoint presentation by NHS South West London can be viewed here.
At the November meeting the ECRA committee welcomed Cllr Scott Roche to provide us with some updates. Cllr Roche is the Cabinet member for Streets and Environment on Croydon council.
We raised the issues of parks maintenance, refuse disposal and the proposals for parking.
Cllr Roche has a lot of priorities for parks maintenance. We were particularly concerned about grass cutting in Marlpit Lane park, the maintenance of the putting green, the need to reinstate the junior football pitch and the failure to maintain Chaldon Way Gardens. We continue to seek a meeting with him and his officers to improve this situation.
At the January meeting we raised the problem of the water logged area outside Pistachio’s café and some cracking on the new perimeter path. We have asked for a meeting for the friends of Grange Park with the officers and contractors.
The consultation on parking proposals closed recently and the results are being evaluated. Cllr Roche expects that the changes will be implemented next year after further trials in some local areas. It appears that a mobile phone will be essential although some local shops may be designated as Pay Points. ECRA committee continue to press for 1 hour free and 1 hour paid parking.
We raised further concerns about the parking trial in January in Addiscombe, New Addington and Purley which reduces the one hour free parking to 30 minutes and the need to use an app or phone RingGo. We feel that this will lead to a reduction in people shopping locally.
Croydon council are reviewing the bin collection arrangements and the “failure rate” of bins and the timescale for replacement.
Cllr Roche did not have any further information on Red Clover Gardens/Lion Green Road.
We raised this again at the January meeting as they have now been empty for 10 months. We also asked who is responsible for snagging when people do move in.
Croydon Council is introducing cashless parking in three District centres – Purley, Addiscombe and New Addington – from today (Tuesday 2nd January 2024). This is despite hundreds of objections raised during and after a previous trial in South Croydon.
This reduces the free period from 1 hour to 30 minutes. You will no longer be able to obtain a ticket from a parking meter as these will be turned off. To park you will have to use the Parking app RingGo (https://ringgo.co.uk) or phone RingGo (020 3046 0010) quoting the RingGo location code, which are indicated on signs and pay by Bank card.
The alternatives are: You can phone Ringo in advance from home, but there is no guarantee that there will be a free parking bay when you arrive. You can pay at a shop that operates PayPoint in Purley. The PayPoint location in Purley can be found at the Londis store at the Shell Foxley Garage on the corner of Godstone Road and Foxley Hill Road (which is not exactly convenient for Purley Town centre).
Croydon council welcomes any comments on this trial via an online survey, available at: https://www.croydon.gov.uk/NewAddingtonCPSurvey – for any questions please phone 020 8726 6000. The survey will close on Monday 22 January 2024. It is noted that the Mayor failed to mention this in his Christmas News Message.
It is expected that these changes and charges will come to Coulsdon and other district centres in the near future.
Head to the Junction of Coulsdon Rd & Court Ave on Saturday 25th November, 4-6pm (lights to be switched on at 5pm) and enjoy Santa’s grotto, carol singing, refreshments and much more. Please continue to provide your support as we fund raise to allow us to continue bringing the Christmas Lights to Old Coulsdon.
Croydon Council is currently reviewing how parking is managed across the borough, with a number of options being considered including removal of all ticket machines and moving to payment by mobile app being one of their preferred options.
Public drop-in sessions where further information can be obtained, as well as provide you with a forum to provide feedback can be attended at our local Coulsdon Library on the following dates:
