Croydon drivers are warned that ‘rat runs’ around the planned Coulsdon roadworks will be closed off in an effort to stop residential roads being overburdened by diverted traffic. Coulsdon Road is due to be shut between Old Fox Close and The Grove from August 15 with Croydon Council saying that delays are “inevitable” up until the end of the school summer holiday.
The roadworks will be replacing the essential rainwater drainage infrastructure to help reduce flooding on Coulsdon Road and surrounding properties. Work was meant initially to start today (Thursday, July 25) but after complaints from Croydon residents, the council reworked their traffic management for the closure to ease the disruption to locals.
The works are and are expected to finish before the local schools reopen after the summer holidays. A diversion has been set up which partly goes into the ULEZ. The council has got a dispensation on the route from Transport for London (TfL), meaning cars that don’t meet ULEZ standards can use it, but advises those with noncompliant vehicles to stick to the official diversion route or face fines.
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Nearby Stites Hill Road, which runs to Caterham and connects with Coulsdon Road further along from the works, will remain open for two-way residential traffic. HGVs will be prohibited through the installation of a width restriction at its junction with Coulsdon Road. See our above interactive map for more details.
Tandridge District Council has confirmed they will work with Croydon to ensure Surrey County Council’s refuse collections on 20, 21, 27, and 28 August 2024 can take place during the road closures.
Diversion signs will be placed on the road network to direct traffic away from the local area to minimise the impact. To further reduce disruption the contractor, FM Conway, has agreed to extend their working hours Monday to Sunday from 7am – 7pm.
Signed diversion route through Coulsdon and bus changes
The council has contacted TfL as the signed diversion route will take drivers into the ULEZ along the A23 Brighton Road. Drivers will need to remain on the diversion route, if they have a ULEZ non-compliant vehicle or they may be fined.
TfL Buses has established diversion routes for its buses and will be communicating this information to its bus operators and passengers. For information on the alternative routes for buses whilst on diversion, passengers should contact TfL Buses by calling 0343 222 1234.
A Croydon Council spokesperson said: “Owing to the nature of these works, it is inevitable that disruptions will occur, and we recommended that where possible, residents use alternative routes and allow extra time to complete their journey.”
Executive Mayor of Croydon, Jason Perry, said: “The roadworks taking place on Coulsdon Road are essential for repairing the drainage system, which will help reduce flooding in the area. We have listened to the concerns of our residents and have worked diligently with Surrey County Council, Tandridge District Council, and TfL to find a solution that minimises inconvenience. I am glad we have been able to reach this resolution that addresses these concerns, and we are committed to ensuring the works are completed efficiently.
“We are pleased that our neighbouring councils have supported us to develop our plans for these works to enable them to be completed during the summer holiday as this is when there is reduced traffic in the area, which will hopefully inconvenience less people.
“We anticipate that this will cause some disruption, but we ask motorists to be patient and cooperate with us so that we can complete the work as quickly as possible.”
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