As predicted Tory Control Croydon Council is going to open Phase 2 of the Addiscombe Railway Park on Saturday 13th March 2010 at 10.30am. And surprise, surprise the opening is being led by Deputy Mayor (and Tory Addiscombe Councillor) Russell Jackson. Of course, this has nothing to do with the fact that after Sunday 28th March 2010 Croydon Council has to go into pre-election purdah for the May 6th 2010 local elections, and from that date can't be seen to be supporting one party over another, which explains the rush to open the park in March.

Mark Watson of the Addiscombe Labour Action Team said "It is a disgrace that it has taken the Tories 4 years to open this park, and even in the final week before opening it is still not ready". New planting won't have time to establish before visitors start using the park. Much of the planting will take years to grow to the right height to provide effective screening for privacy and security for residents living next to the park.

Addiscombe Labour action team has launched a survey to find out what local residents want from the park. This can be done online at http://www.croydonlabour.org.uk/survey-on-addiscombe-railway-park2