Croydon Council faces £2m TfL funding freeze over cycle lane removal
Transport for London has halted funding after the council removed safety wands without required notification.
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Transport for London (TfL) has frozen £2.067 million in local transport funding for Croydon Council. The decision follows the council's removal of vertical safety wands from a segregated cycle lane on London Road. TfL discovered the removal after seeing a social media post by Mayor Jason Perry in May.
Conditions for funding release
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The funding will remain frozen until Croydon Council repays £234,917 that was spent on the London Road scheme. Additionally, the council must submit a revised Local Implementation Plan (LIP) to TfL for approval. TfL allocates LIP funding to boroughs for local transport and road safety upgrades, requiring bids and adherence to project delivery.
Will Norman, TfL's funded Walking and Cycling Commissioner, stated that boroughs cannot use public funds for a scheme and then unlawfully remove it. He added that funding will only resume once the council repays the amount spent on the cycle lane they removed without consent. Any future support is contingent on a revised LIP being agreed.
Croydon Council's removal of the safety wands breached the Traffic Management Act, as the council failed to provide the required notification before dismantling the lane. Mayor Perry had stated the wands endangered cyclists and obstructed emergency vehicles, claiming they hindered lane cleaning operations.
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Impact on borough upgrades
Sarah Jones MP, who represents Croydon West, criticised Mayor Perry's actions, stating that his disregard for process has resulted in residents facing the consequences. She highlighted that the funding freeze will delay several planned upgrades in the borough. These include £1.35 million for Healthy Neighbourhood schemes, such as new zebra crossings and contra-flow cycle lanes, £286,000 for bus priority improvements, and £60,000 for cycle parking. Funding for road redesign work at Portland Road is also affected.
Councillor Alasdair Stewart, Croydon's Cabinet Member for Streets and Enforcement, responded by stating the council is in routine discussions with TfL and thanked them for their constructive approach. He also defended Mayor Perry, asserting that he has been addressing issues left by the previous administration and delivering improvements residents want.
Questions this report answers
+Why has Transport for London frozen funding for Croydon Council?
Transport for London froze £2.067 million in funding because Croydon Council removed safety wands from a cycle lane on London Road without submitting the required notification under the Traffic Management Act.
+How can Croydon Council get the frozen funding released?
The funding will be released once Croydon Council repays the £234,917 spent on the London Road scheme and submits a revised Local Implementation Plan that meets TfL's requirements.
+What specific projects are affected by the funding freeze?
The freeze impacts several upgrades, including £1.35 million for Healthy Neighbourhood schemes, £286,000 for bus priority improvements, £60,000 for cycle parking, and funding for road redesign work at Portland Road.
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