News
Livingstone intervenes to help traders' troubles
Ken Livingstone has intervened over a traffic system which traders claim has had a disastrous effect on their livelihood.
During question time the Mayor of London suggested the trial of the Upper Norwood Triangle one-way system should be slashed from 18 months to six.
He stepped in after Jenny Jones, the Mayor's Road Safety Advisor and Andrew Pelling, London Assembly Member for Croydon and Sutton, told him the scheme was seriously damaging to businesses and pedestrian safety in the area.
Mr Livingstone said: "It does seem to me that if we look at other major transport schemes, by the end of six months, you've usually got a very good idea of how it will finally settle down.
"90 per cent of it will be clear by then, the other 10 per cent may vary over another year.
"And so at the end of six months I would have thought, if the scheme is fundamentally flawed, it would be clear by the end of that six month period and it would be useful to examine it at that point."
His comments were made after Andrew Pelling warned him of the extent of traders' troubles in Upper Norwood.
Mr Pelling told him: "Revenue is down by as much as 50 per cent in some cases.
"And businesses will be driven out of the Triangle before the 18 month review is over."
The Mayor's response has afforded fresh hope to beleaguered Triangle traders, who have been violently opposed to the 18 month review date set by Croydon Council.
They claim poor pedestrian access, constant road-works, and the lack of loading bays and parking enforcement has left many businesses on the brink of collapse.
A spokesperson for Crystal Palace Community Association (CPCA) said: "We welcome these initiatives as in 18 months there is a strong possibility that many businesses will have ceased trading, leading to the eventual decline of the area."
But as the Mayor pointed out, the one-way scheme is one over which he has no jurisdiction.
It is up to Croydon Council to heed his suggestion for a six-month review.
Mr Livingstone agreed that as the project is part funded by The Single Regeneration Budget, which was awarded by the London Development Agency, the London Assembly could feasibly review how this cash is being spent.
However he added that objectors had "got to let the scheme be finished first" - echoing the sentiments of Cllr Gerry Ryan, Croydon's cabinet member for highways, transport and public services.
Cllr Ryan said: "A lot of the problems up there at the moment are really all about enforcement - we haven't got proper parking enforcement up there yet and for me, that really what's going to make it work."
He said he would be "willing to meet the Mayor half-way" and reduce the review date to a year - but not six months.
He explained: "With six months, what you don't see is how the scheme works throughout all four seasons - let's say, for example we have had a difficult winter.
"I would split the difference with the Mayor and think about a year, which would probably be a more reasonable time to reflect on how the scheme is going.
He added: "After spending so much money I would hate to act in haste and repent at leisure."
