Lower Addiscombe Road Cashless Parking Trial

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In support of the council’s ambitions for supporting the economic vibrancy of town centres and high streets, Croydon Council are trialling plans to improve parking availability in Lower Addiscombe Road A222.

The council is pleased to offer limited stay free parking within our town centres and high streets, as it is vital to encourage the community to support local businesses. Limited short-stay parking encourages regular turnover, by making spaces close to shops available for short durations suitable for shopping.

The existing ‘pay and display’ machines are reaching the end of their operation as they rely upon 3G connectivity, which is currently being shut down by network providers. The trial will enable the council to understand the impact of moving to phone payment and explore ways of addressing any issues that users experience during the trials.

From Tuesday 2 January 2024, the council will be changing how the free 60-minute parking sessions operate for a trial period of three weeks. This will involve switching off the ‘pay and display’ machines, as they will not be dispensing tickets.

Instead, motorists will need to use the RingGo cashless parking app on their smartphones, call RingGo on 0203 046 0010 to obtain a free session or alternatively visit a local PayPoint location. The council does not apply surcharges to use RingGo, but do check your settings. Please note that there is a no return period of two hours after leaving a location.

Can I have more than one parking session on the same day?
Yes. Drivers will be able to obtain free parking sessions in the same parking location but only after a period of two hours after leaving. You will also be able to park for free in other district centre areas in the borough on the same day.

Where can I obtain the RingGo app?
The RingGo app can be downloaded on your Android or Apple mobile phone on-line by visiting https://ringgo.co.uk

What if I don’t have a smart phone? Can I book a parking session using an old-style mobile phone or landline?
Parking sessions can be booked with an old-style mobile phone by phoning 020 3046 0010 and confirming your details and the RingGo location code, which are indicated on signs. It is easier to register your details on-line first at myRingGo.co.uk/register to ensure that the parking session goes smoothly. Parking sessions can also be booked on a landline but there would be no guarantee that there is a parking space available when arriving in a street or car park.

Can I book a parking session without using RingGo?
Yes. An alternative is to use PayPoint. PayPoint locations are at some shops as listed below. You can ask at the shop to book a free parking session on RingGo at the shops below by asking an assistant – please ensure you have details of the registration number of your vehicle and the RingGo location code as shown on signs and the ticket machines:

PayPoint locations can be found at the following shops:

  • ‘Addiscombe Express Ltd’,
  • ‘Nisa Local’
  • ‘Harrisons Newsagent’.

The council welcomes any comments on this trial, via online survey, available at www.croydon.gov.uk/AddiscombeCPSurvey.

The survey will close at 11:59pm on Monday 22 January 2024.

If you have any questions, or require further information, please contact parking@croydon.gov.uk or by phone on 020 8726 6000.

Power for People – A Good Year

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This year our Community Energy Revolution campaign made excellent progress, thanks to the many who helped at key moments. As we look forward to next year, here is what we achieved in 2023:

1. Thousands of you wrote to your MPs…

If you were one of the many who got in touch with their MP, a massive thank you. It kept the momentum up in Parliament and in constituencies

2. …and we helped many of you respond to their emails.

MPs’ emails can be long and highly technical. We helped you respond to and, when necessary, refute their points. This often shifted an MP’s stance, helped bring many new MPs on board and kept supportive MPs engaged.

3. A majority of MPs in the House of Commons now back new community energy enabling measures.

Our collective efforts have led to this impressive milestone. 326 MPs from all major parties now publicly support the Local Electricity Bill: our proposed law that would empower community energy groups to sell their clean power directly to local people.

4. We won two legislative votes in the House of Lords…

On two separate occasions, we beat the Government whip to see our proposals to help community energy projects included in Government legislation. These victories helped secure new supportive measures from Government.

5. …and got community energy to the top of the agenda at several debates in Parliament.

At several debates this year on energy legislation, community energy was the most featured topic. Given the sector’s current size, this is an outstanding achievement and demonstrates the strength of our collective power.

6. We secured a new £10 million fund for community projects across England…

Our collective advocacy for community energy led to the Government introducing the first new fund to help community energy projects in over six years.

7. ….and we got the Government to promise a consultation on removing the barriers blocking community energy sector growth.

This is a new avenue to achieve reforms to help community energy thrive. When the consultation opens, we will be asking everyone to submit responses to ensure that we can make the most of this excellent opportunity. Again, we will be here to help.

8. Government Ministers are responding more favourably.

This year saw a shift in how the Government treats community energy. For many years they have declined to take action to help create growth in local renewable energy generation. Now, community energy is a subject they are ever more questioned and challenged on in Parliament and they have started to act to empower it.

All the above is testament to our determined collective persistence. We can carry this momentum into the new year as we continue the push for reforms to enable community energy to thrive.

Thank you for making this a good year and I wish you a happy and restful festive break.

Rupert Meadows
Campaigner

Find out more at the Power for People website.

A Glimpse of Shirley’s Past

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After rushing around frantically buying last-minute Christmas food and gifts, why not take a break, curl up on the sofa and have a cup of tea whilst reading our newest article?

What do you know about Shirley’s past? In celebrating MORA’s 100th Anniversary, we take a look back in time with all the upheaval of the two World Wars and some touching letters in a Glimpse of Shirley’s Past.

Do you have a story or article about Shirley or the surrounding area as we would love to hear from you!

Send us an email to hello@mo-ra.co and share it with us on our stories page.