A call to suspend Upper Norwood's new one-way system was rejected by Croydon Council following heated debate this week.

The motion was called at a full council meeting on Monday, with Tory leader Coun Andrew Pelling who condemned the traffic chaos as bad for traders, pedestrians, and road users alike.

Councillor Gerry Ryan, cabinet member for Highways, Transport and Public Services admitted there were problems at the moment, but asked residents to see the long term benefits the scheme would bring to the community.

He said: "The scheme is for the better improvement of the area. It's not possible to bring about a scheme on this scale that doesn't have some sort of upheaval, and I'm fully aware of the concern that's manifested at the moment." The system, in Westow Street, Westow Hill and Church Road, started on May 26 this year, and has been accused of causing traffic disruption, and danger to pedestrians from temporary crossings and lights.

Coun Pelling said: "I know the councillors will say the pain is worth the gain, but I tell you that the treatment is killing the patient."

In an impassioned defence of the scheme in front of a packed public gallery, Coun Pat Ryan accused the Conservatives of using the issue as a "political football" and drew parallels with the criticism Tramlink

attracted when it first began.

The council voted along party lines to continue with the scheme by a majority of 35-31.

July 17, 2002 12:00