Croydon Road, Caterham

With our partners we are making improvements to part of Croydon Road in Caterham.

These improvements are part of a bigger project to deliver the aspirations of the Caterham Masterplan which aims to make the area more attractive for people to live and work in, as well as boosting the economy and creating more jobs. Recently, this has included our purchase, refurbishment and modernising of Quadrant House, which provides a variety of office and retail space. 

What is being proposed?

The works, planned to start later this year, will make Croydon Road a safer, more attractive and appealing place to live visit, work and enjoy.

The works include:

  • Extended pavement space, to encourage people to spend more time in the area.
  • More greenery in the town centre, reducing street clutter.
  • Improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists by reducing traffic speeds to 20 mph, widening some parking bays and clearly separating the road and parking areas by using contrasting materials.
  • Planting of trees and new rain gardens which will absorb water running off the road and help alleviate flooding, complimenting Quadrant House’s stunning living wall.
  • Initiative to encourage more active travel, like walking and cycling to redress the current imbalance which favours car users.

These drawings outline the proposals:

As part of the wider improvement plans, Surrey County Council is proposing to introduce a 20 miles per hour (mph) speed limit on a number of roads in Caterham Valley. You can see more information and the list of the proposed roads on its website.

How is this being funded?

Caterham Valley for You, Caterham’s Business Improvement District kick started the improvements to Croydon Road work, recognising the need to improve the area. We have worked with them on the plans and to secure funding for the work. The following organisations are funding this project:

  • Caterham Valley for You, Caterham Business Improvement District.
  • Caterham Valley Parish Council.
  • Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.
  • Surrey County Council.
  • Tandridge District Council (Community Infrastructure Levy funding).

How can you have your say?

In 2020, we consulted with local residents, businesses and stakeholders and your valuable feedback has helped shape the plans. We have now developed the designs and carried out a road safety audits and technical appraisals with Surrey County Council, the local highways authority.

On Thursday 2 March, we held a Croydon Road event where we shared our exciting plans on Croydon Road's new look and feel and had a panel of people answering a wide variety of questions.

If you were unable to attend the event, you can still give your feedback by e-mailing croydonroadImprovements@tandridge.gov.uk, by 5pm on Monday 20 March.

Our response to Levelling Up Fund decision

The government has announced our bid for £8.7 million of funding through the Levelling Up Fund has been unsuccessful. We planned to use this funding for a larger, more ambitious plan to regenerate Caterham. Both the Leader of the Council, Councillor Catherine Sayer and Claire Coutinho, MP for East Surrey expressed their disappointment at the news. 

We have received positive feedback on our application, and we will consider submitting another bid when the government confirms the third round of funding.

Frequently asked questions

We do not have a start date as there are several factors affecting the start date, which includes:

  • When the appointed contractor can start the work.
  • When Surrey County Council can issue a traffic management permit.
  • The delay to the Lidl supermarket and affordable housing which is being built on Croydon Road and is not expected to finish until September. The project team is working on solutions so the works can start earlier than October.

We will keep residents and businesses regularly updated on our website, in our e-newsletters and on our social media channels as well as through our partners.

The number of spaces will reduce from 27 to 22. This is needed to create space for the small park areas and to move the bus stop and stand on the west side of Croydon Road.

Initially, there will be two EV designated parking spaces which can only be occupied when the vehicle is charging and for up to one hour. As demand increases, the number of designated spaces will increase to four.

There will be two EV charge points which can charge two vehicles each. Initially, only one point will work, but the second charger can be switched on at short notice when demand increases.

There will be two disabled parking spaces.

The architect has taken into account many factors when deciding where to locate these things.

The rain gardens and planting will be where they can have most impact on reducing flooding. However, the location of the utilities and drainage which runs under the pavements has also been taken into account. The aim is that every business will enjoy the benefits being delivered by these plans.

The outside entertainment spaces located beyond your business property will require a licence.

Licencing arrangements are currently our responsibility, on a temporary basis.  This arrangment may be made permanent under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill which is still going through the Parliamentary Process. 

We are clariying the shared space issue and will provide more information soon.

There is no budget available to reduce business rates.

You may get a temporary reduction in your business rates, if you apply to the Valuation Office, if your premises are affected by severe local disruption (like flooding, building or roadworks).