Author: admin

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/

Planning Report – September 2023

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To find out the latest news on what is being planned in your local area, check out our latest Planning Report with up-to-date information on Planning Applications including developments in:

  • Addiscombe Road
  • The Glade
  • Gladeside
  • Orchard Avenue
  • Orchard Rise
  • Shirley Road
  • Tower View
  • Wickham Road
  • Woodmere Avenue and Woodmere Gardens.

Also, take a look at the MORA Planning App, which gives you an easy way to track all the current and recent planning applications within the MORA area. It’s simple to use and free for you to access.