Addiscombe Railway Park: Croydon Council let Contractors damage park
Whilst the 2^nd phase of the Addiscombe Railway Park is being rushed to completion before the elections take place in May, 1^st Phase of Addiscombe Railway Park has recently been ruined by contractors, whose vehicles have torn up large areas of the grass.

On our visit today, 17^th February 2010, to see the new tree planting by the BCTV on the new phase of the Addiscombe Railway Park it was upsetting to see how much damage has been done to the park. Contractors have been working on two areas of the park but they have torn up large swathes of the grass arrears outside their work areas. Some damage was always going to occur but not the extensive damage done.

Croydon Council has long-term form in neglecting this park. It has been 3 years since phase 1 opened and it is only the threat of a local election in May that seems to be pushing Croydon Council to complete the works to the park. Local residents have serious concerns about security and privacy which haven't yet been addressed fully. The fencing and gates to Dalmally Passage are too low to be effective in keeping people out, and the lack of mature planting on the embankments means that nearby residents privacy are at risk from gawkers from park. Croydon Council is willing to fund big improvements to existing parks elsewhere but not to get Addiscombe Ward's only park properly established.

Patricia Hay-Justice, of the Addiscombe Labour Action Team said "We have talked to lots of local residents about the park, and though most welcome it, many are concerned about security and privacy."

Sean Fitzsimons, local resident and former councillor for Addiscombe ward said, “Labour promises to listen to residents concerns and take extra steps to improve both the security and privacy of local residents”