Trading Standards – Beware Parking Scams

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Scams are on the rise with criminals finding ever more devious ways to scam people. The last year has seen a rise in parking scams.

The first type of scam involves scammers placing their own QR code over the genuine ones on display in carparks.

People scan the code and enter their credit card information thinking they are paying for the space, but instead, it directs them to a fake website where scammers capture their payment details and take larger sums of money as well as capturing personal details which could be later used in fraud. Some people are finding they have signed up for subscription services which do not exist but take money every month.

Fake posters and signs are also being put up and taken down periodically which mimic the genuine companies and ensures people are duped and diverted to fake websites or apps. Due to not actually having paid for the space, people are also receiving parking tickets too.

We urge consumers to exercise caution when providing their credit or debit card details online by ensuring the website being used are genuine.

  • To avoid these scams, ensure you only download parking apps directly through the App Store or official app provider, typing the official website directly into your browser or calling the phone number associated with the company.
  • Do not use the QR codes displayed and search for the official company online, do not rely on the website given on a poster.
  • Ensure you check your bank account regularly and challenge suspicious payments that you cannot account for.

If you find you have been the victim of a scam, speak to your bank to be advised on what steps to take and report the crime to Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call an advisor on 0300 123 2040.

Planning Report – October 2023

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To find out the latest news on what is being planned in your local area, check out our latest Planning Report with up-to-date information on Planning Applications including developments in:

  • Addiscombe Road
  • The Glade
  • Gladeside
  • Orchard Avenue
  • Shirley Road
  • St. George’s Church
  • Tower View
  • Wickham Road
  • Woodmere Avenue and Woodmere Gardens.

Also, take a look at the MORA Planning App, which gives you an easy way to track all the current and recent planning applications within the MORA area. It’s simple to use and free for you to access.

Trams Closure from 21 – 29 October

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TfL’s Local Communities and Partnerships Team advise that there will be a partial closure of the trams network that will be happening towards the end of October.

TfL are undertaking essential works to replace a section of drainage on the eastern end of our tram network and no trams will run east from East Croydon from 21 October to 29 October 2023. Normal service will resume on Monday 30 October.

This will affect all services from East Croydon to Beckenham Junction, Elmers End and New Addington.

Customers are encouraged to use replacement buses to continue their journeys.

This work forms part of our ongoing modernisation and maintenance programme to help improve the reliability of the tram service for years to come. We will replace 722 meters of drainage by opening a trench between Sandilands Junction and Bingham Road, removing old pipework and manholes and replacing them with brand new assets.

Some local road and footpath closures will be in place between the East Croydon and Addiscombe tram stops and residents will be advised by letter in advance of these closures. Information on the wider trams closure will be communicated to customers via posters on trams and at tram stops from early October until the end of the closure.

Customers are advised to plan ahead and to use real-time travel tools including Journey Planner and TfL Go.

More information about London Trams can be found on the TfL website.

Power for People – September Update

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Last month’s Government announcement of a new fund to help community energy grow was soon followed by two further welcome commitments

Over the last year the Government have been progressing a big piece of energy legislation through Parliament, called the Energy Bill. Our collective efforts saw MPs from all parties calling for community energy-enabling measures to be added into the Bill, which has now nearly completed its passage through Parliament. In response, on 11th August the Government announced a £10 million Community Energy Fund.

As the first supportive action from Government for community energy in many years, this was a very welcome new direction.

Then, when Parliament debated the Energy Bill again on 5th September, MPs from all parties again called for more from the Government for community energy. Their rationale was that, whilst the new fund will no doubt help, it will not remove the barriers that prevent community energy schemes selling their power directly to local people.

And when the Energy Minister Andrew Bowie spoke, he made two further promises:

  1. To consult on removing the barriers that community energy projects face when trying to sell their power locally, and
  2. To report annually to Parliament on the progress towards removing those barriers.

You can watch our highlights video of the debate by clicking here.

This is another success in our efforts to see more locally-owned and run renewable energy generation. A consultation is a fundamental step towards enablement reform, whilst annual reporting will help Parliament and the public hold the Government to account.

We will do all we can to ensure that the consultation, expected in the autumn, leads to reforms that will help new community energy projects to spring up everywhere.

Then, last week, the House of Lords voted in favour of including a new amendment to the Energy Bill that commits the Government to a strict timeframe for the consultation.

This creates a further opportunity for MPs to urge the Minister for more when the Energy Bill returns to the House of Commons in mid-October. I will write again closer to the time with more details.

All this activity in both Houses of Parliament shows what our collective efforts have done. Before our campaigning started a few years ago, community energy was not a topic that MPs, Lords or Baronesses repeatedly pushed at Parliamentary debates. Now they do – and Ministers are responding ever more positively. Action is the measure of success, not words. But the right words in Parliament are a vital ingredient. Our collective advocacy has done this.

Find out more by visiting the Power for People website.

Have Your Say on Croydon’s New Parking Strategy

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A new consultation launched on Friday September 22 to gather feedback on the council’s proposals for a new parking strategy.

The strategy sets out the priorities the council will focus on to make it fairer for all road users and make the most out of road space in Croydon. Further, it aims to reduce congestion and manage parking demand while supporting local businesses and residents.

Some highlights include the introduction of virtual permits to improve service efficiency, and better parking controls in areas with high demand for on-street parking.

The Draft Croydon Parking Policy seeks to:

  • Support and enhance the ways in which people will be able to visit local businesses, high streets and town centres in Croydon
  • Make parking more accessible to people with disabilities
  • Introduce virtual parking permits for residents
  • Improve intelligence-led enforcement procedures to target illegally parked vehicles and blue badge fraud, targeting known hot spot areas and events
  • Make service improvements to areas known for high rates of parking non-compliance
  • Modernise and simplify parking controls and zones to:
    1. make it easier to understand tariff rates, parking availability and locations
    2. enable future pricing structures to be fairer and competitive compared to neighbouring boroughs and shopping districts

Any major changes to parking arrangements in Croydon would be subject to their own individual consultations before coming into effect.

The strategy will be developed using feedback from the community and local businesses, as well as parking data, and the council needs to hear from residents before it is finalised.

Residents, businesses, and visitors to the borough can find more information about the priorities and have their say on the council website.

Ten public drop-in sessions have been arranged where local residents and businesses are invited to provide feedback in person, and have questions answered by the team.

Drop-in sessions have been scheduled across the borough on the following dates:

  • Central Croydon Library: 27 September, 10:00am – 12:30pm
  • South Norwood Library: 28 September, 12:00pm – 2:30pm
  • Purley Library: 28 September, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Thornton Health Library: 10 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • South Norwood Library: 11 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Coulsdon Library: 12 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Purley Library: 18 October, 12:00pm – 2:30pm
  • Central Croydon Library: 18 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm
  • Coulsdon Library: 24 October, 10:00am – 12:30pm
  • Thornton Heath Library: 24 October, 4:30pm – 7:00pm

The online questionnaire will be open until 11:59pm, 31 October 2023.

Anyone requiring the information and survey in a different format, or for help completing the survey, can email parking.design@croydon.gov.uk or call 020 8726 6000.