The expanding population of the neighborhood has caused residents to worry that a new train bridge that crosses East Croydon station won't be able to handle the crowds. Fears of a "unholy scrum" for entry on one side of the bridge have arisen after it was revealed that just one side will have ticket barriers installed. The footbridge over East Croydon station, which is administered by Network Rail, has been delayed and controversial since it was initially envisioned 14 years ago. In order to avoid crowding the main entrance, the bridge is expected to enable communities residing on the east and west sides of the crowded station to access platforms.However, a recent revelation that ticket access barriers would not, in fact, be included on the bridge’s east side on Cherry Orchard Road has left some residents fearing the bridge will not, in fact, help the communities it set out to serve.Under the plans, the pedestrians entering from the Cherry Orchard Road side would have to walk down the length of the footbridge to access the gates there before walking back on themselves to the platforms.

'The main entrance is already pretty difficult for elderly and disabled people'

One young mother, Nadia Elkheir, said that the plans for the completed bridge were ‘laughable and impractical’ without the barriers on that side. Nadia moved to Addiscombe with her partner to start a family and use East Croydon station nearby.Being frequent users of the station, Elkhier and her partner hoped the new bridge would allow them to save time and effort by accessing Cherry Orchard Road.

She said: “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.

“The main entrance is already pretty difficult for elderly and disabled people. They will now have to go down and up again on the bridge to get onto the platforms.

“I expect that on day one when it’s opened, I think there’s going to be quite baffled by what’s in place and disappointed by something that wasn’t what they expected or deserved.”

While Network Rail insists that it never promised ticket barriers at both entrances, many are now also questioning the point of the entrance at Cherry Orchard Road, considering the large population increase the area is expected to face in the coming years. The area has already seen a boom in development, focused primarily around Menta’s new Morello buildings, which sandwich the currently unopened Cherry Orchard Road entrance to the bridge.

Many residents have already complained about the morning queues at the Ruskin Road entrance. According to Elkheir, these queues will worsen once the other entrance opens without barriers.

She said: “There are not many barriers there and always queues. That’s just for the footfall that exists right now, it doesn’t even consider the obvious increase in footfall once the Cherry Orchard Bridge is opened.”Fellow East Croydon resident and former deputy leader of Croydon Council Jerry Fitzpatrick explained how the absence of ticket gates would ‘lead to a bit of an unholy scrum on the Western Side.’ “It’s like Doctor Who without the Tardis” he added.

Part of the resident’s frustration was inspired by Network Rail’s apparent lack of transparency regarding the plans for the bridge. According to Jerry, news of the lack of barriers on the eastern side was only revealed after residents directly questioned Network Rail this Summer.

Jerry said: “We held an East Croydon Community Organisation (ECCO) AGM on 16th July because members were frustrated about the lack of movement on the bridge. We invited Network Rail and Menta to attend.

“They didn’t say anything about the ticket gate disappearing until someone asked them on the floor. Then they said there isn’t going to be a ticket gate on that side. If someone hadn’t asked then it wouldn’t have come out into the open.”

During the meeting, Network Rail’s representatives admitted their communication had been poor and acknowledged the need to ‘do better.’

Addiscombe West councillor Sean Fitzsimons was also present during the same ECCO meeting. He said the revelation came as a shock to residents, adding, “It feels like Network Rail has been playing us.”

Work on the bridge has been ongoing for over a decade, causing much disruption in the process. Much of the development has been centred around Menta’s newly opened tower blocks, housing over 300 flats.

As part of its £350 million regeneration scheme, Menta was responsible for creating the public realm space leading up to the Cherry Orchard Road entrance. However, they have also been criticised for causing delays to the bridge's construction.When opened, the bridge will still connect those residents who wish to move from one side of the tracks to the other. However, according to Cllr Fitzsimons, the lack of ticket barriers on one side means the bridge will lack an important feature that most residents hoped to benefit from.

He said: “Part of the reason people live in East Croydon is because of the station. It is the most important element.

“One of the things people said to me was at least when they open the bridge up, then we can get to the town centre and trains quicker. It would make up for the 15 years of building works.”

Cllr Fitzsimons said this revelation was made worse by the fact Network Rail's decision was made on financial grounds. He told the LDRS: “They Network Rail) confirmed that it is about revenue loss. Source-My London 

"Someone would have to man those barriers and because of the massive fare evasion going on, they are worried about losing more money.”

“They have come up with a solution, not based on principles but as a way of reducing revenue costs. They are presenting the council with a fait accompli."

Network Rail submitted a planning application to Croydon Council last month, apparently outlining the details of their final stage of construction before the bridge is expected to be complete next year. According to councillors, these plans revealed how Network Rail had abandoned the idea of dual access on the bridge.As a result, some blame has been placed on the council's door for not holding Network Rail to account for the plans. Cllr Fitzsimons now believes the bridge will fail to connect residents from the east and west sides as it had initially planned.

The application has since attracted over 200 letters of objection from residents, which could be heard by the council's planning committee on December 14. Residents are encouraged to give their thoughts on the application before that date.

When approached for comment, a spokesperson from Network Rail said: “When complete, the pedestrian footbridge over the railway will provide a public route from Orchard Road on the east side to Lansdowne Road on the western side of the railway. Customers for the railway will access platforms through the ticket gates on the western side.

“Delivery of a new gateline at this side has never been part of our proposal, and we do not have funding to provide a gateline at this location at the current time. Passive provision has been made in our footbridge design for the installation of ticket barriers on the eastern side in the future. "

“We are always open to discussion with funders about further improvements to the railway, including the potential future provision of a gateline at this location.”

A spokesperson from Menta said: “Menta has delivered on all its obligations to the council and in respect of the planning permission. Moreover Menta has delivered a wonderful public realm and station entrance with an over and above requirement for public art. We have also agreed to maintain this area for the future as a station entrance at no cost to Network Rail or the Council.

"We look forward to welcoming residents of Addiscombe into this area and provide further facilities for them to enjoy. We have no control whatsoever over Network Rail operations and how they wish to operate the station and its entrances and are disappointed residents might make assertions towards Menta given all we have delivered for Croydon and residents.”

A spokesperson for Croydon Council said: “The council is committed to working with Network Rail and Menta Regeneration to open the pedestrian through route side of the footbridge across East Croydon Station in the coming year. Considerable progress has been made in the past 12 months, and we are now working on establishing costs and finalising a timetable.

“Whilst the provision of a new ticket barrier at the eastern side is a Network Rail responsibility, the council is very supportive of the provision of a new ticket barrier and continues to discuss with Network Rail how this may be brought forward.

“We share residents’ frustrations and are working hard on their behalf to make sure they will be able to use the bridge to access the platforms.”