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Chairman’s Christmas message

As 2019 draws to a close on what has been a difficult time planning application-wise we can only hope that the present nightmare will eventually subside, especially for you residents affected at the lower end of Welcomes Road, although realistically the current situation will have to be endured for some while.

Sections of Welcomes Road were surface dressed during the year where the road had become very smooth. If the new dressing performs well over the winter we will consider surface dressing the entire length of Welcomes Road with the same materials.

The patient and continuing financial support of members living in Uplands Road and its offshoots, while we deal with Welcomes Road problems, is much appreciated.  

I must thank my fellow committee members and the many residents who have given us feedback, for their advice, support and input during the year.  Without diminishing the work of others I feel I must also mention the Herculean efforts of the Secretary who has tirelessly badgered the Council to reduce the pace flat building in Welcomes Road and to his ever patient wife… thank you.

Thank you one and all for supporting the Committee during the year.

I hope that your Christmas is peaceful and enjoyable and that 2020 brings everything you wish for. 

Chairman

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Building works

Please note that demolition of the bungalow at 32 Welcomes Road is scheduled for late this week or the week commencing 9th December 2019.

Under current arrangements, HGV traffic is to enter Welcomes Road at the Station end and exit the same way having reversed up Welcomes Road to reach the site. This approach is currently being reviewed to try to remove the need for reversing and also to ensure that trucks do not need to turn round. An update will be posted once agreement with the developers has been reached.

The code of practice requires that site traffic must not use the road at peak times (i.e after 10.00 hrs and before 15.00hrs) and hard copies of the site management arrangements will be provided to the immediate neighbours so they know what to expect from the builders, Goldstone Homes (contact details provided in email to members). The positioning of HGVs when at the site should be such that traffic can get past.

I hope all goes well for the builders and the neighbours. Unfortunately some disruption is inevitable with these jobs so please be patient.

Over the winter our contractors Allfreys may also be installing some kerbing in the same area.

It is possible that work will also be commencing soon on 42 Welcomes Road but the builders/developers have yet to contact the Association to complete formalities.

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CHAIRMAN’S AUTUMN MESSAGE

I have lived in Welcomes Road for over 30 years and was drawn here by its serenity and sylvan appearance with its detached houses of varying sized plots, all still en situ today although as with everywhere a few things have changed. Sometime after moving in, I was asked to join the road committee whose remit is the upkeep of the road surfaces in Welcomes and Uplands (these are unadopted roads subject to the Highways act thus useable by all) collecting a levy from each residency according to the applied Council Tax rate plus dealing with associated matters.

WURA is not a Residents’ association as we are under the umbrella of KENDRA a very capable organisation the ‘mouthpiece’ for all in the Kenley area. Geoff James at KENDRA keeps a watchful eye on Planning matters and is always available for advice. His work has increased in recent years with multiple applications to demolish family homes and build two storey ‘flats’ of maximum 9 units of varying sizes all currently concentrated in the lower end of Welcomes, all are within walking distance of Kenley railway station and bus routes. Hopefully when all developments are completed the new properties (most look like large family houses) will blend in with the local landscape although lack of parking bays may be an issue.

To those of you seeking to buy a property in our area you will appreciate the ease of access to wooded open spaces especially for families with children and dogs and the many amenities (M25/Gatwick/mainline trains etc.) all within easy reach. Hopefully I have painted an appealing picture of our unique area and if you do decide to buy into our area I look forward to welcoming you.

CB 10th October 2019

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Roadworks update – work completed

Allfreys began work on schedule on Tuesday 24th and progressed well, with the road re-opened for Saturday.

  • 27 Sept 2019
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They have found two old cast iron pipes near the surface which are broken, so although their purpose is unclear these could be the source of the unexplained water.

There is no evidence of a spring but the general pressure from ground water has tended to force water to the surface through fault lines in the road surface. These will be sealed in by the contractors.

  • 25 Sept 2019
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Kenley Community Plan update – Event 4

The Kenley Community Plan team presented an update session at the Kenley Memorial Hall on September 11th followed by another at the Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church on the 12th.

The main part of the presentation consisted of a set of boards showing a summary of their findings during the consultation throughout the Spring and Summer. This comprised an analysis of the answers to questions such as ‘what do you like about living in Kenley?’ and ‘how could Kenley be improved?’. Key areas of interest were identified, as follows:

  • youth and community
  • transport and streetscape
  • greening and local green space
  • health, sport and wellbeing
  • community safety and waste services
  • jobs and training

The issues and areas of improvement for each are presented in the full slide pack, which can be viewed here (11MB PDF file).

These key areas have been used to identify potential projects for further investment. The data collated by the Community Plan consultation will be used to support applications for funds from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund. Such applications will be in a pool from councils all across London, so they are by no means a definite, but Croydon are hopeful that the involvement of the local community during the consultation period will put those applications in a good position. Potential projects identified so far are:

  • community accessible transport
  • improving green links
  • improvements for the Kenley Memorial Hall
  • initiatives for the Godstone Road shopping parade
  • improvements for the public space in front of the Godstone Road shopping parade
  • expansion of activities at the Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church
  • improvements for the public space at the Old Lodge Lane shopping parade
  • restructuring to give access to the New Valley Primary School playing fields outside of school hours

Each of these can be viewed in more detail in the GGF slide pack, viewable here (15Mb PDF file).

The team will be completing a final detailed analysis of all the feedback to be included in the draft Kenley Community Plan.  This draft will be published for public comment later in October and a final Plan will be published in early 2020.  The Kenley Community Plan page on Croydon Council’s website will be updated regularly so you can keep in touch with progress.

You still have the opportunity to get back to the team by contacting them on their email address kenleycommunity@croydoncouncil.gov.uk to provide feedback on areas which have not been considered or even if you spot factual errors on the current material.

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Resurfacing work completed successfully

Allfreys completed the resurfacing work between 43 and 56 Welcomes Road on 8th August.

The newly done surface has stood up well to the subsequent heavy rain.

A further stretch was done on 21st August, extending the newly surfaced are from around no. 41 to nearly the junction with Zigzag Road.

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Recent burglaries

Over the last few days (July 6th to 11th) there has been an upsurge in criminal activity in the WURA zone. This includes breaking into cars and breaking and entering a house with an alarm system by smashing a window. Do not leave valuables in your car, lock it and make sure that if you are out, that your house windows and doors are secure and your alarm system armed. These crimes took place between midnight and roughly 4am and included a fly-tip in Uplands Road.