Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Residents of Spa Hill in Croydon are calling for urgent safety measures after repeated speeding incidents and collisions on the dangerous stretch.
After a hit-and-run accident on the road last year, a biker suffered a permanent brain injury. In a different incident this year, homeowner Jane Burnett was hit by a car and suffered several fractures to both wrists. Locals claim that these are only two of the “many” concerning incidents involving speeding that have happened on the route.
Although authorities have simply “refreshed” the road’s 20 mph speed restriction signage therefore far, locals claim that this hasn’t had an important impact and that further requirements need to be done.
Last Wednesday, Patsy Cummings, a local Labour councillor, met with residents of Spa Hill in Croydon to talk about the safety measures being put in place to break patient issues on the road. She has been collaborating on their campaign with the locals.
Following this meeting, Cummings told Eastlondonlines that she has not yet received a full response from the cabinet member for streets and environment or the mayor, but that:
“In the meantime, the 20mph signs on the road have been refreshed by the council, which suggests this is the first step in addressing the dangerous driving.”
The new road markers, according to locals, “don’t appear to be making a change.”
The road “currently has a steep descent coming off Beulah hill,” according to resident Angus Imrie, who has been adamantly advocating for more safety measures. He claims that this “invites speeding and dangerous driving.”
Since the road markers have essentially had no effect, he is requesting that the council enact “serious” speed calming measures.
“This is a danger zone,” local mum Hazel Freeman said, whose home has been hit by speeding cars.
“We fear it’s only a matter of time before a child gets killed on this road,”
she added.
Cummings said efforts are ongoing:
“I have also organised a meeting on site at the top of Spa Hill inviting all the relevant authorities – Croydon Council highways team, the cabinet member, representatives from the Met and TfL, and residents.
This meeting will be taking place on Tuesday 11th November at 10am.”
What local petitions or consultation steps get the fastest council response?
Petitions that easily define the issue, proposed action, and have a significant number of autographs. These frequently prompt a formal council donation or referral to applicable departments for expert review or disquisition.
Petitions addressing critical community safety enterprises like anti-social behavior
or road safety, which may spark expedited consideration and discussion with original mates, including police. Petitions that fall within the council’s direct control with clear, practicable requests, as councils can act more snappily on issues within their remit.
Formal consultations or public meetings launched in response to desires, allowing direct dialogue between residents and council officers, frequently speeding up resolution. Engagement through sanctioned platforms like digital solicitation tools (e.g., Go Oral) that give translucency, regular updates, and a feedback circle to pleaders, erecting trust and encouraging quicker council action.