Fiveways Junction is well known for its confusing layout and congestion. Thanks to the Fiveways Scheme though, the A23/A232 junction and its surrounding network is set to see a marked improvement.
Illustration for the Fiveways Junction. Photo: TFL Gov
The transformational scheme includes the Purley Way interchange, Fiveways Corner junction and Waddon Station Bridge. It is a crucial factor in the economic growth of the borough and forms part of Transport for London’s £4 billion Road Modernisation Plan, the largest investment in London’s roads in a generation.
The Fiveways Scheme will involve a number of improvements to the local road network, including:
- Replacing the A23 Purley Way bridge over Waddon Station with a wider alternative, and realigning it to the west with the aim of easing traffic congestion.
- Installing new semi-segregated cycle lanes running more than 300 metres along the A232 Epsom Road and Purley Way. Stopping areas for bicycles will be created at each junction.
- Simplifying Fiveways Corner by realigning Denning Avenue. This will reduce the junction arms from five to four.
- Introducing signalised pedestrian and cycle crossings and cycle advanced stop lines along all arms of Fiveways Corner.
- Creating a new public space and installing new cycle parking at Fiveways Corner.
- Improving pedestrian access to Waddon Station with the widening of footways and enhancement of crossing facilities.
- Introducing stepped cycle lanes in both directions of the Epsom Road, removing all the parking bays, converting the road to two-way traffic from the A23 junction to Duppas Hill Road and allowing a left turn from the A23 into Epsom Road.
- Introducing a new northbound bus lane on the A232 Stafford Road between Fiveways Corner and the Epsom Road junction.
- Creating inset parking bays on Stafford Road to improve safety for cyclists.
- Banning the left turn onto Epsom Road from Stafford Road.
Overall, the improvements are designed to make the Waddon area safer, more accessible and a better place to be. The existing road layout was not designed for modern day traffic volumes and because even more growth is expected in Croydon in the near future, these changes have become crucial.
With enhanced cycling facilities providing routes in and out of the centre of Croydon and upgraded pedestrian, cyclist and bus-user access to Waddon Station and public transport in general, Croydon is going to quickly become much more attractive for commuters. And with increased traffic capacity along the A23 and A232 leading to reduced congestion, journey times will be cut and road users will be a great deal happier.
Construction under the scheme should get underway in 2021.