FAQs

There are advantages and disadvantages to both signalised and zebra crossings and these are determined by pedestrian flows, vehicle flows, vehicle speeds and site-specific issues. 

At signal-controlled crossings, pedestrians should wait for a green pedestrian signal before crossing. At this site this is likely to create two issues. Firstly, pedestrians will choose to cross before a green pedestrian signal is given or, if pedestrians do wait, the narrow northern footway could become congested during peak periods of footfall, especially when passengers alight from eastbound buses.

A zebra crossing empowers pedestrians to exert immediate priority over vehicles, one advantage of which will be prevention of overcrowding on the footway. 

We also looked to widen the northern footway but this wasn’t feasible as it could only be achieved by taking Common Land, which was not possible, or by narrowing the carriageway and removing the pedestrian refuge island.  However removing these islands can create a barrier for disabled pedestrians who often prefer to have the option of safely stopping halfway across the road.

Our speed survey results show that the use of a zebra crossing is here is appropriate for the speed at which vehicles use this road.

Safety is our top priority and is the reason that we are installing the crossing in this location

There is planning and design work that has to be completed before we can install the crossing.  Our current programme shows that early 2025 is the earliest opportunity for the installation.

In our Vision Zero Action Plan, we committed to expanding London’s safety camera network as part of efforts to reduce speed and speed-related collisions in the capital. This is still our intention but we are not in a position to do so now. We are undertaking the essential preparatory work for this and ensuring we have all the necessary elements in place before rolling out new camera sites. This includes implementation of offence processing technology, recruitment of enforcement staff, and exploring new camera technology to ensure that we are investing in the best and most cost-effective systems for the future.  We are also in the early stages of a contract relet for our two main safety camera providers with contracts due to expire in 2024.

Once we are in a position to expand the network, we will need to redo the detailed analysis to prioritise locations for safety cameras, using a methodology that was developed in consultation with the boroughs and London Councils prior to the pandemic. We need to do this to take account of any changes in travel projections and road user behaviour, as well as the significant changes made to road layouts during the pandemic.

You may also be interested to know that TfL is working in partnership with the MPS to run Community Roadwatch, a road safety initiative which aims to reduce speeding in residential areas. Community Roadwatch gives local residents the opportunity to work side by side with their local police teams, and use speed detection equipment to identify speeding vehicles in their communities.  Warning letters are issued where appropriate, and the information captured may help to inform the future activity of local police teams.  

Anyone wishing to take part in Community Roadwatch, or who wishes to suggest a residential area where there are community concerns around speeding, can contact their local MPS Safer Transport Team or email CommunityRoadwatch@met.police.uk. More information can be found online on the following webpage www.tfl.gov.uk/CommunityRoadwatch.

A raised entry treatment has already been provided on Hayes Lane at its junction with Godstone Road. The site constraints mean that the height of the plateau is quite low. 

The operation of the Coop car park means that alternative solutions would be difficult to implement and could potentially be more dangerous than the current layout.

School crossing patrols are provided by the boroughs rather than TfL.   They are generally not used in locations where there is a controlled crossing (such as this zebra crossing) as pedestrians already have priority over the traffic.

We have investigated the possibility of widening the pavement here, but it would require taking Common Land which is managed by the Corporation of London rather than from Croydon Council.  We were unable to identify a feasible solution for taking Common Land.  

The other option we investigated was to narrow the width of the carriageway and remove the pedestrian refuge island.

However, removing these islands can create a barrier for disabled pedestrians who often prefer to have the option of stopping halfway across the road.

The zebra crossing will be made visible to drivers by the use of standard belisha beacons. The crossing will also be on a raised platform ('a hump') which will encourage drivers to slow down. There will also be road signage before the crossing that will alert drivers and give them advanced warning to reduce their speed.

The lighting will be upgraded to meet the standards of a zebra crossing.  The exact specifications of the lighting will be decided in the forthcoming design work.