News
Park Place will not block LCN+, officer confirms
Croydon's acting cycling officer, Derek Stidder, has met with Minerva following claims last summer that proposed LCN+ town centre routes would be blocked by the Park Place development.
In a meeting towards the end of September, Mr. Stidder and LCN+ consultant Bob Castelijn discussed LCN+ plans with the developers, who agreed that cycling should be permitted on the proposed routes.
In Derek Stidder's own words: [from an email received on 28th September]:
"I have just finished a meeting to discuss cycle access in conjunction with the Park Place development. There were two representative present from the consultants and one from Minerva. Also present was Bob Castelijn representing LCN+."
"The consultants were unaware of any cycle routes in the area and therefore had made no provision for cycle access through the development. It was pointed out by both Bob and myself the existence of the existing LCN and its proposed conversion to a LCN+. The main point raised was the lack of any east-west, and vice versa, west-east route through the area now identified as Katherine Street East which is designated a pedestrian only zone. The second site raised was the access along High Street to North End. Also we talked about cycle parking within the development."
"The consultant and the developers representative both agreed that cycle access, through both locations, was vital and these will be incorporated into the site detail drawings which should be available in draft form within the next three months. Future meetings will then be held to discuss their proposals in more detail."
"I think you will agree that real progress was made to today and also that the developer are now fully aware of their responsibilities with regard to cycle routes in central Croydon and in particular the Park Place development."
The positive stance taken by Minerva removes fears for the routes voiced last summer. Alternatives were known to be unviable, because all would have involved making people travel much further, along unpleasant, busy roads, leading away from amenities rather than towards them.
The upshot of this welcome news is that thanks to the work of relevant officers and consultants, and the responsiveness of Minerva, progress towards the crucial LCN+ town centre routes appears to be continuing on track.
