Engineering works are due to start on creating a new street-level pedestrian crossing in Wellesley Road to improve the connection between Croydon town centre and East Croydon.

Croydon Council has secured £30m of funding to make improvements in the area. The Wellesley Road pedestrian crossing would bring a boost to businesses by linking East Croydon to the town centre shops.

Construction is due to start in July and it is expected to be ready for use in time for the Christmas shopping period.

The Council is working closely with partners, such as TfL, and the designs are subject to technical approvals from TfL, owing to it being on a key transport route.

The pedestrian crossing will replace the public underpass under Wellesley Road, which was closed last year following fire damage caused by antisocial behaviour.

The underpass will remain closed permanently and will form part of the construction of the pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians can use the nearby crossings until the new street-level crossing is completed.

Using £30m of secured investment, the projects support Executive Mayor Jason Perry’s new town centre vision, to attract new visitors, residents, businesses and investors. The Wellesley Road crossing is one of five projects to be completed by Croydon in the first phase of improvements.

The projects are Wellesley Road street-level crossing; a two-year programme of events and installations to attract shoppers to North End; updating public realm in Dingwall Road and George Street; and improvements to the area surrounding Croydon Minster, to preserve and celebrate its rich history.

“The street-level pedestrian crossing in Wellesley Road is part of my wider vison for the town centre, to make it much easier for residents and people working in Croydon to travel between East Croydon station and the town centre.

“The project is progressing well and we are continuing to work with our partners and local businesses. We will keep our residents informed as the project progresses.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon

Find out more about Croydon’s Growth Plan and Town Centre Vision.