Trams Closure from 21 – 29 October

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TfL’s Local Communities and Partnerships Team advise that there will be a partial closure of the trams network that will be happening towards the end of October.

TfL are undertaking essential works to replace a section of drainage on the eastern end of our tram network and no trams will run east from East Croydon from 21 October to 29 October 2023. Normal service will resume on Monday 30 October.

This will affect all services from East Croydon to Beckenham Junction, Elmers End and New Addington.

Customers are encouraged to use replacement buses to continue their journeys.

This work forms part of our ongoing modernisation and maintenance programme to help improve the reliability of the tram service for years to come. We will replace 722 meters of drainage by opening a trench between Sandilands Junction and Bingham Road, removing old pipework and manholes and replacing them with brand new assets.

Some local road and footpath closures will be in place between the East Croydon and Addiscombe tram stops and residents will be advised by letter in advance of these closures. Information on the wider trams closure will be communicated to customers via posters on trams and at tram stops from early October until the end of the closure.

Customers are advised to plan ahead and to use real-time travel tools including Journey Planner and TfL Go.

More information about London Trams can be found on the TfL website.

Power for People – September Update

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Last month’s Government announcement of a new fund to help community energy grow was soon followed by two further welcome commitments

Over the last year the Government have been progressing a big piece of energy legislation through Parliament, called the Energy Bill. Our collective efforts saw MPs from all parties calling for community energy-enabling measures to be added into the Bill, which has now nearly completed its passage through Parliament. In response, on 11th August the Government announced a £10 million Community Energy Fund.

As the first supportive action from Government for community energy in many years, this was a very welcome new direction.

Then, when Parliament debated the Energy Bill again on 5th September, MPs from all parties again called for more from the Government for community energy. Their rationale was that, whilst the new fund will no doubt help, it will not remove the barriers that prevent community energy schemes selling their power directly to local people.

And when the Energy Minister Andrew Bowie spoke, he made two further promises:

  1. To consult on removing the barriers that community energy projects face when trying to sell their power locally, and
  2. To report annually to Parliament on the progress towards removing those barriers.

You can watch our highlights video of the debate by clicking here.

This is another success in our efforts to see more locally-owned and run renewable energy generation. A consultation is a fundamental step towards enablement reform, whilst annual reporting will help Parliament and the public hold the Government to account.

We will do all we can to ensure that the consultation, expected in the autumn, leads to reforms that will help new community energy projects to spring up everywhere.

Then, last week, the House of Lords voted in favour of including a new amendment to the Energy Bill that commits the Government to a strict timeframe for the consultation.

This creates a further opportunity for MPs to urge the Minister for more when the Energy Bill returns to the House of Commons in mid-October. I will write again closer to the time with more details.

All this activity in both Houses of Parliament shows what our collective efforts have done. Before our campaigning started a few years ago, community energy was not a topic that MPs, Lords or Baronesses repeatedly pushed at Parliamentary debates. Now they do – and Ministers are responding ever more positively. Action is the measure of success, not words. But the right words in Parliament are a vital ingredient. Our collective advocacy has done this.

Find out more by visiting the Power for People website.

Have Your Say on Croydon’s New Parking Strategy

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A new consultation launched on Friday September 22 to gather feedback on the council’s proposals for a new parking strategy.

The strategy sets out the priorities the council will focus on to make it fairer for all road users and make the most out of road space in Croydon. Further, it aims to reduce congestion and manage parking demand while supporting local businesses and residents.

Some highlights include the introduction of virtual permits to improve service efficiency, and better parking controls in areas with high demand for on-street parking.

The Draft Croydon Parking Policy seeks to:

  • Support and enhance the ways in which people will be able to visit local businesses, high streets and town centres in Croydon
  • Make parking more accessible to people with disabilities
  • Introduce virtual parking permits for residents
  • Improve intelligence-led enforcement procedures to target illegally parked vehicles and blue badge fraud, targeting known hot spot areas and events
  • Make service improvements to areas known for high rates of parking non-compliance
  • Modernise and simplify parking controls and zones to:
    1. make it easier to understand tariff rates, parking availability and locations
    2. enable future pricing structures to be fairer and competitive compared to neighbouring boroughs and shopping districts

Any major changes to parking arrangements in Croydon would be subject to their own individual consultations before coming into effect.

The strategy will be developed using feedback from the community and local businesses, as well as parking data, and the council needs to hear from residents before it is finalised.

Residents, businesses, and visitors to the borough can find more information about the priorities and have their say on the council website.

Ten public drop-in sessions have been arranged where local residents and businesses are invited to provide feedback in person, and have questions answered by the team.

Drop-in sessions have been scheduled across the borough on the following dates:

  • Central Croydon Library: 27 September, 10:00am – 12:30pm
  • South Norwood Library: 28 September, 12:00pm – 2:30pm
  • Purley Library: 28 September, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Thornton Health Library: 10 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • South Norwood Library: 11 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Coulsdon Library: 12 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Purley Library: 18 October, 12:00pm – 2:30pm
  • Central Croydon Library: 18 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Coulsdon Library: 24 October, 10:00am – 12:30pm
  • Thornton Heath Library: 24 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm

The online questionnaire will be open until 11:59pm, 31 October 2023.

Anyone requiring the information and survey in a different format, or for help completing the survey, can email parking.design@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8726 6000.

Trading Standards – Romance Scams

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You may meet a stranger…
but rather than enjoying an enchanted evening, sadly there are always con-men or women out there trying to take advantage of people – often when they least expect it, or when they are at their most vulnerable.

One of the nastiest scams involves the promise of romance, but ultimately leads to men or women being duped into sending money to someone with whom they have been led into thinking that they have formed a genuine relationship.

Recent figures reveal that romance scams are on the rise. Indeed, by the end of 2022 it was reported that the amount of people who fell victim to romance scams had increased by 60%, with an average loss of over £8,000. Research also suggests that men have become the primary victims, now making up over half of all cases.

As with many scams, criminals will go to great lengths to gain the trust and convince victims that they are in a genuine relationship. Requests for money will usually only come over time – perhaps explained by the need for emergency medical care, or alternatively the victim may be told by the person that they live abroad but are unable to afford the costs of coming to the UK to meet up.

You should always be suspicious of any such requests for money, particularly where you have never met in person. Speak to your friends or family and ask their advice. If you are not computer savvy, perhaps ask someone who is to perform a google reverse image search which might reveal the true identity of the person or which might raise questions.

It may not be easy for the friend or relative of the victim to realise that there may be an issue, but potential signs are –

  • Secrecy about the relationship and excuses as to why you have never seen the “partner”
  • Evasion if you ask any questions about how they met
  • Unusual levels of emotion for someone they have only just met
  • Mention of money being sent to the person.

How to report it
It is perfectly natural for anyone who has been a victim of a scam to be ashamed or embarrassed, and to be a victim of a romance scam may feel particularly so, but always realise that you will not be alone.

Contact your bank immediately and report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or via actionfraud.police.uk.

Further advice can be obtained by emailing trading.standards@croydon.gov.uk

Trading Standards – Rogue Traders in the Croydon Area

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Rogue Traders are cold calling in the Croydon area purporting to be ‘working in the road’ or ‘working for neighbours’, pointing out problems with guttering and roofing. They quote a small amount for gutter clearing or a damaged tile then start raising to costs to do unnecessary roofing work or gardening work.
We have also had a property targeted by rogue traders with a male pretending to be from Sussex Trading Standards.

Please DO NOT engage or use the services of anyone who cold calls at your door asking if you want work done or telling you that you have a problem.

If someone purports to be Trading Standards or Police please ensure you confirm their identity by checking their ID carefully. Genuine officers would be more than happy for you to check their ID and if necessary allow you to contact us or the Police from your own phone.

Do not allow them into your home until you are happy they are genuine.

Do not use any numbers given to you by cold callers. Call 101 for Police or contact our office on 020 8407 1311 (Weekdays 9am -5pm).

If you require a trader, please look at the following Approved Trader Schemes:

 

Trust Mark – www.trustmark.org.uk/find-a-tradesman
0333 555 1234

 

 

Buy With Confidence – www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk 01392 383 430

 

 

 

Which? Trusted Traders – http://trustedtraders.which.co.uk/ 0117 405 4689

 

 

ALWAYS get several quotes in writing from several traders before having any work done. Ensure it includes a breakdown of costs of labour and materials before having any work done.

Ensure you have time to think about the quote before you allow them to start any work. If they attempt to start work without permission, call the police as they could be causing criminal damage to your home.

If you have been scammed or duped into contracting with a business or a trader and parting with money, please report to Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Line on 0808 223 1133 or go to the following website to report online:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/if-you-need-more-help-about-a-consumer-issue/