The long-delayed East Croydon pedestrian bridge has cleared a major obstacle with the signing of a key funding agreement, paving the way for the project's final phase. The deal means work on the last section of the pedestrian bridge connecting Addiscombe to East Croydon station and the town centre is set to begin this summer. Completion is now expected in 2027, 15 years after it was first proposed in 2012.
Bridge Completion Timeline and Remaining Work
While most of the bridge has been open from the Ruskin Road entrance for several years, the Cherry Orchard Road entrance remains incomplete behind hoardings. Progress had stalled due to lengthy negotiations between Croydon Council, Network Rail, and developer Menta Regeneration over funding, the completion of the bridge's eastern entrance, and future maintenance arrangements. Menta, which completed its residential tower blocks on Cherry Orchard Road in 2023, is responsible for the bridge's eastern entrance, which passes through the 850-home development. The new funding agreement formalises how the eastern entrance will be completed and maintained.
Political Reaction and Criticism
Sean Fitzsimons, Labour councillor for Addiscombe West, criticised the delays, saying: “Residents were first promised this link by Mayor Jason Perry in 2012, and 14 years later it is still not complete.” He added: “It is shocking that surrounding building works were completed in 2023, and it took Mayor Perry three years to get the agreement signed off by all parties - doesn't say much for his negotiation skills.”
Ticket Barrier Concerns
The bridge will not include ticket barriers on the Cherry Orchard Road side, meaning passengers will need to climb stairs, pass through a narrow entrance, cross the bridge, queue at the west-side gates, and then walk back across to reach platforms 5 and 6. Network Rail cited cost pressures for the decision. Cllr Fitzsimons said: “I think residents will take this announcement with a pinch of salt over when these works complete. And even then, there won't be a ticket line on the Cherry Orchard Road side. Local councillors will continue to press GTR and Network Rail to install new-style ticket barriers that prevent fare evasion, but allow faster access to the platforms.”
Ongoing Issues and Community Concerns
At East Croydon Community Organisation’s AGM on 9 July, questions were raised about fencing outside the Menta construction site that remains in place, obstructing the pavement and blocking access to a public space completed more than two years ago. Despite this, Executive Mayor Jason Perry called the agreement “a major milestone” and said it supports wider plans to improve connections across the town centre. He added: “It’s another positive step in the regeneration of our town centre – we are improving accessibility, connectivity and making Croydon a more vibrant place that our residents and businesses can be proud to call home.”
Wider Context and Future Plans
The bridge project is part of the council’s wider £40m programme to make Croydon “more welcoming, better connected and easier to navigate”. Other schemes include a new street-level crossing on Wellesley Road, closure of the pedestrian subway, improvements to Dingwall Road, and upgrades to George Street. Once complete, the bridge will provide a fully accessible route across the station and form part of wider efforts to improve movement through East Croydon. Craig Marks, CEO of Menta Regeneration, said: “We are delighted that the new pedestrian bridge will soon open to the public.” He added: “We are thankful to the residents of Addiscombe for their patience whilst this major investment and commitment to the wider community is finally completed with the opening of the bridge, working collaboratively with Croydon Council and Network Rail.” Network Rail Sussex Route Director Lucy McAuliffe acknowledged the delays, saying: “Reaching this point has taken longer than we would have liked, and we appreciate the continued patience of residents and passengers throughout.” She added: “I’m really pleased that collectively, we are now able to proceed into the delivery phase ahead of completion in 2027.”
