Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – East Croydon commuters launch a petition urging Network Rail to install ticket gates on the new bridge amid fears of overcrowding and long queues at peak hours.
With almost 1,000 signatures, individuals are angry that without this extra ticket gate, their travels will be more crowded and take longer.
The bridge is scheduled to open later this year, and activists and commuters are pleading with Network Rail to reinstate the original proposal for a ticket barrier.
In order to reduce traffic and give passengers—particularly those who live and work east of the station—a more convenient approach, Network Rail promised more than ten years ago that the new pedestrian footbridge would have a direct, gated entrance from Cherry Orchard Road.
These hopes have been crushed, though, by recent announcements.
Some Croydon residents are worried that the bridge won’t help the areas it was intended to serve since they were surprised to learn late last year that there would be no ticket barriers on the east side of the bridge.
Residents expressed their dissatisfaction to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) at the time.
Nadia Elkheir, a young mother and resident of Addiscombe, told the LDRS:
“It’s just this thing that we’ve been waiting for, and then for it to end up being such an impractical and laughable plan that won’t save people any time is just ridiculous.”
Nadia brought attention to the difficulties experienced by elderly and disabled travelers, who would be made much more irritated by the absence of direct access.
“It feels like Network Rail has been playing us,” said Jerry Fitzpatrick, a former deputy leader of Croydon Council, in reference to Network Rail’s transparency. In anticipation of increased foot traffic without sufficient facilities to handle it, Mr. Fitzpatrick also issued a warning about possible crowding at the current Ruskin Square entry.
According to Network Rail’s current plans, in order to get to platforms 5 and 6, passengers will need to go via a tiny entry, mount the steps, cross the bridge, wait in line at the ticket gates on the west side, and then walk back across the bridge.
Mr. Fitzpatrick’s worries were echoed by Addiscombe West councillor Sean Fitzsimons, who emphasized that the lack of ticket barriers at the Cherry Orchard Road entry violates commitments made to the community over a decade ago.
Because Network Rail’s planning application does not include ticket barriers at this important access point, he urged locals to oppose it.
Although the design permits the addition of a gate in the future, a Network Rail representative at the time informed the LDRS that one was never included in the original concept and is not currently financed.
Many locals and companies, as well as influential people like Mayor Jason Perry, local council members, Croydon East MP Natasha Irons, and Croydon West MP Sarah Jones, have strongly opposed this plan.
Andrea Wood launched the current petition, which calls on Network Rail to honor its initial “promises” and pay attention to the community.
Only 15 people supported Network Rail’s application to remove the planning requirement for a ticket gate, out of 612 who opposed it. This suggests that the updated plan is being strongly opposed by the community.
Without a ticket gate, travelers will have to cross the bridge more frequently, which could lengthen travel times and cause stress, especially for people with large bags or impairments.
Given that Cherry Orchard Road is one of the busiest stations outside of Clapham Junction and the major London stations, locals contend that a ticket gate at the entry is necessary.
The petition, which has 1,057 signatures, features testimonies from locals emphasizing the benefits of a ticket gate at Cherry Orchard Road.
Some have emphasized the need to prevent crowding at the Ruskin Square entrance, while Paulina, a signatory, stated that it would help her avoid trudging across the bridge with her buggy.
In October 2025, the bridge is scheduled to open. You can find the petition.
What are the main concerns of the local residents in East Croydon?
As part of the bridge’s planning application more than ten years ago, Network Rail committed to installing a ticket gate at the Cherry Orchard Road entry. Citing budgetary limitations and conflicting objectives throughout the UK, they now assert that there is no commercial rationale for it.
In the absence of a ticket gate at Cherry Orchard Road, passengers will need to cross the bridge to the western side in order to reach the ticket barriers. If they require platforms 5 or 6, they will then need to return to the eastern side. Congestion and longer travel times will result from this, particularly during peak hour.
The petition expresses the annoyance of locals and commuters who believe Network Rail is not paying attention to their concerns.