Barclays refuse to compensate disabled robbery victim

June 16, 2013, 11:15 pm

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A DISABLED man, who withdrew £2,000 to pay for life-changing surgery only to be robbed on a Croydon tram, is still fighting for compensation three years on.

Karol Posluszny blames Barclays for leaving him vulnerable to robbery, by making it obvious to a packed bank that he was withdrawing a large amount of money.

The 63-year-old had planned to use the money for an operation on his spinal chord but just minutes after he left the North End branch on September 30, 2010, his money had been swiped.

Despite being ordered by the banking ombudsman to pay compensation to Mr Posluszny, Barclays have so far refused to give him a penny.

The New Addington resident's complaint against the bank centres on their refusal to serve him at the lower hatch usually provided for disabled customers.

Mr Posluszny said being served at a regular counter left him in a very vulnerable situation.

He said: "I can't turn my head up or down, right or left. The man at the counter wanted to show me what he was counting. He stood up so that I could see what he was counting, and 30 people behind me could see it too.

"The gentleman at the hatch was very loud. I already felt very worried about leaving."

Mr Posluszny believes a spotter at the bank tipped off a gang who then surrounded him on a tram to Wimbledon and stole his savings.

Following a two-year wait, the Financial Ombudsman Service recommended Barclays pay Mr Posluszny £100 for the "upset caused" and for falling short in their service, writing that "the branch should reasonably have dealt more appropriately with Mr Posluszny when he made the withdrawal in order to ensure his privacy".

However, the bank, which last year paid more than £2 billion in bonuses, has refused to pay up.

A spokesman said: "The bank was informed by FOS in their letter of October 30 that Mr Posluszny had not replied in writing to the letter issued on September 28. Therefore, FOS advised Barclays that in accordance with their rules, the decision may be treated as having been rejected. The case file was then closed by FOS.

"In circumstances such as this, neither the customer or the company are bound by final decision issued by FOS."

Mr Posluszny would like to take his complaint to court, but he cannot afford a lawyer to represent him and is no longer entitled to legal aid.

Cyrus Mansouri, a lawyer who advised Mr Posluszny, said, "Had my client been served at a disabled counter, as he requested himself, or better still in a private room, he may well have avoided being robbed of his life savings.

"This is clearly a David & Goliath situation and more and more people like Mr Posluszny are being denied an opportunity to seek redress through the courts."

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TRAVEL: Slow moving traffic on Brighton Road

June 16, 2013, 11:33 pm

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It may be a Monday morning but at least commuters are facing a smooth journey through the borough this morning. National rail services are unaffected this morning, as are trams. Commuters making their way around the capital should be mindful of minor delays on the District and Overground lines. There is the usual slow moving traffic at Brighton Road, South Croydon as the rush hour peak approaches.

Teenagers bailed after homeless man dies in fire

June 17, 2013, 12:32 am

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TWO teenagers arrested following the death of a homeless man at the former headquarters of Croydon Sea Cadets have been bailed. A 14-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were arrested on Saturday on suspicion of arson and manslaughter. They have since been bailed to return to a south London police station, pending further inquiries, in July. Fire crews found the body of a man, who has yet to be formally identified, in the basement of the derelict building in The Waldrons at 3pm last Monday.

Concern for missing autistic man from Croydon

June 17, 2013, 1:01 am

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CONCERN is growing for an autistic man who has gone missing in Islington. Colin Stuart, 56, was last seen at King's Cross underground station at 2.15am on Sunday (June 16). A spokesperson for Scotland Yard said: "Colin is autistic and is likely to be in a distressed state. "He also suffers from asthma and will be without his medication. He does not have access to money but will be in possession of a Freedom Pass." Colin, from Croydon, is black, 5ft 9 of medium build with short greying hair. He was last seen wearing a charcoal duffle coat, blue jeans, brown socks and brown sandals. The police said they are "increasingly concerned" for his welfare. Anyone with information is asked to contact Croydon Police on 101.

RICHARD OTTAWAY: Why we must value our devoted carers

June 17, 2013, 2:30 am

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THERE are more national awareness days, weeks and months than there are days in a year.

This month, 41 campaigns are fighting for their 15 minutes of fame. Few will get much more than that.

But there is one that I believe deserves a place in our hearts and our minds every day of the year, and not just for a solitary week in June: National Carers Week, which concludes this Sunday, and which celebrates the tireless but too-often thankless work of 6.5 million carers across the UK.

Croydon counts 33,683 of these unsung Samaritans, some as young as five, who look after elderly, sick or disabled family members and friends for free.

The experts suggest this is a vast underestimation of the actual figures as many carers do not even classify themselves as such. We all care for our loved ones, but I challenge a single reader who wouldn't struggle to juggle school, work and a social life with full-time caring.

Many adult carers give up jobs and face isolation, financial hardship and poor health. Young carers miss out on extra-curricular school activities and the carefree childhood most kids take for granted.

Middle-aged women pay the highest price, as they are forced to drop everything at the peak of their careers, having already sacrificed a sizeable chunk of their life raising a family.

Little wonder 40 per cent of carers experience depression or psychological problems.

In Croydon we are lucky to have excellent voluntary groups that reach out to carers through respite, financial help and advice.

Our council is also doing its best to support carers despite unprecedented budgetary pressures.

Every pound spent on carers in Croydon saves the taxpayer £4.50 – they're worth their weight in gold!

I therefore welcome the Care Bill, currently going through the Lords, which for the first time puts carers on a par with those for whom they care. Volunteers at the Croydon Carers Centre, who are fundraising to buy a minibus for day trips and travel needs, tell me the majority of carers who walk through their door have not had respite in three years or longer.

Many events have been planned throughout Croydon this week to raise awareness of our brilliant carers, but it mustn't stop here.

Without carers our health and public services simply would not be able to cope.

We owe it to them to keep National Carers Week running indefinitely so that every corner of our community carries on reaching out to carers – to show them that we care too.

£25,000 reward offered to help catch thieves who stole equipment

June 17, 2013, 5:21 am

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A BUSINESS is offering a £25,000 reward in a bid to catch thieves who stole £60,000 worth of equipment. Hydro Cleansing's minicam CCTV equipment was stolen from one of its lorries at its headquarters in Beddington Farm Road. The remote controlled drainage cameras were taken last Tuesday (June 11) between 10.35pm and 10.57pm. The reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The company, drain cleaning specialists, is also offering £2,500 for the safe return of the equipment. Police are also appealing for witnesses. A Sutton police spokesman said: "The three suspects are described as males. One was wearing dark clothing; a second was wearing a dark top, blue jeans and black trainers with white soles; a third was wearing a grey top and jeans. "The investigation is continuing." The equipment and its serial numbers are: Supervision Large Crawler - Serial No. 505134 Supervision Small Crawler- Serial No. 5040148 Supervision Camera Head- Serial No. 5070213 Anyone with information can contact: - Lawrance at Hydro Cleansing on 07584 171 236 or 020 8689 3339 - Or email theft@hydro-cleansing.com - Sutton police on 101 - Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Brother of Wilfried Zaha facing eviction due to anti-social behaviour

June 17, 2013, 5:51 am

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THE OLDER brother of Crystal Palace play-off hero Wilfried Zaha is facing eviction due to his alleged anti-social behaviour. Serge Zaha was not at home this morning when police and council officers served a closure notice on his council flat in Castle Hill Avenue, New Addington. Neighbours said the 31-year-old had moved in about four months ago and problems included his leaving rubbish around and unpredictable, sometimes violent, behaviour. One neighbour, who did not wish to be named, said: "It was like something out of a Western: He came out and everyone else went in because you could not trust what he was going to do." Another said: "It's come to the point where neighbours won't even let their kids play in the courtyard." Magistrates are due to consider whether to grant the council a closure order tomorrow (Tuesday). Serge Zaha will be sentenced on June 26 for an unconnected theft and criminal damage. He pleaded guilty earlier this year to stealing a Blackberry mobile phone from Michael Kelly at Boots in the Whitgift Centre on December 7 last year. The criminal damage charge was for destroying a copy of the police Code of Practice, valued at £10, while at the custody centre in Windmill Road on March 22.

Croydon police stations to close in September

June 17, 2013, 10:21 am

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FAR-REACHING changes to policing – including closing or reducing opening hours at all but one of the borough's stations – will come into effect in September, it has been announced. At that point South Norwood, Norbury and Kenley, as well as the front counter at Purley, will shut and be replaced with 'contact points' across the borough, and one in Lambeth. Addington Police Station will not close but its opening times will reduce from 55 hours a week to just three. The Met's £17.3 million custody suite in Windmill Road will become a formal front counter – the only one in the north of the borough. Croydon police station, in Park Lane, will be the borough's only 24 hour station. The Mayor's Office for Policing & Crime announced the closures in January in an attempt to meet a £500 million cut in police funding by 2014/15. As well as the closure of police stations, the changes include a greater emphasis on neighbourhood policing. The Met is putting an extra 2,600 neighbourhood officers on to the streets in London, including an extra 177 in Croydon. They will be deployed to Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) who will now have added responsibilities and be on duty more often. Instead of an SNT for each ward, neighbouring areas will now be grouped into four with each team having a dedicated inspector, though individual wards will still have a named PC and PCSO. Assistant Commissioner Simon Byrne said: "We've listened to the public and understand people just want to know police are close by. "So we are changing the way we do things to make neighbourhood policing our priority." Stephen Greenhalgh, Deputy Mayor for Policing, said: "After the most extensive public consultation ever carried out into policing in London, we have listened to what people want in putting 'bobbies' before buildings. "Moving over 2,600 extra officers into neighbourhoods provides a golden opportunity for the Met to reconnect with Londoners." The first changes will roll out in June. Croydon will be in second group of boroughs, alongside areas such as Bromley, Enfield and Newham.

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Mollywood star Prithviraj filming latest movie in Croydon

June 17, 2013, 2:32 pm

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STARS of the South Indian film industry are making their latest film in Croydon. Mollywood heavyweight Prithviraj and his co-stars are filming scenes for London Bridge from a house in Addington Road, Sanderstead. The Malayalam movie is directed by celebrated director Anil C Menon and written by Jinu Abraham. It tells the tale of an ambitious young man who gets caught in a love triangle with two women. Prithviraj, 30, told the Advertiser: "I play an entrepreneur in London - this young, upcoming professional - all he wants in life is to become rich. "And falling in love is never in the scheme of things…" The award-winning actor's love interests are played by fellow Mollywood stars Andrea Jeremiah and Nandita Raj. The crew has been filming in Addington Road since Saturday and expects to be there for two or three more days. The rest of the film will be shot in Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye. It is the first South Indian film to be shot entirely in the U.K. Prithviraj added: "This is the first time I have spent time in Croydon. "It is convenient for us to be shooting here because it is not as crowded as central London. "We are filming here the scenes in houses - once we start filming the outdoors we will move back to central London. "The neighbours have been really supportive." Addington fire brigade confirmed it had been called twice to the set due to false alarms. Prithviraj, who also produces films, won best actor at the Kerala State Film Awards in 2006 and 2012. He is married to BBC India reporter Supriya Menon. London Bridge is due out on September 16.

Police patrols that inspired novelist Mark Billingham

June 17, 2013, 11:15 pm

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A BESTSELLING crime writer has revealed how two Croydon police officers helped shape the latest instalment of his long-running detective series.

In Mark Billingham's new Tom Thorne novel The Dying Hours, the detective inspector is transplanted from north to south London, and demoted from plain clothes into uniform.

Mr Billingham, 51, said he decided to "mess with" his leading character's circumstances after two female Croydon officers invited him on their beat.

He added: "They sent me an e-mail and said 'We like the book; if you ever fancy coming out with us we will show you what life is like'.

"The first one was a couple of years ago [2011]. It was a bank holiday weekend.

"Within half an hour of the shift starting we had a dead woman in her flat. The officer said to me, 'Are you OK with the body?' and I was trying to be all macho over it and 'yes, yes, fine,' but it was the first time I had ever seen a body.

"The shift ended ten hours later with a lady lying in the street – it was an horrendous traffic accident."

There was nothing suspicious about the first body, he explained, but it was of course the officers' job to check .

Mr Billingham has been on a couple more outings with the officers and said it was not so much what he saw on the streets as what he observed among the team that informed his work.

He said: "I have hung out with a lot of plainclothes detectives but this was the first time I got close to uniform, so I realised the tension that exists between uniform and non-uniform, and it was interesting to write about that.

"It's a really traditional thing – plainclothes detectives, some tend to think they are superior to officers in uniform and the officers think, 'we are the ones that have to do all the tough work and they are the ones that get all get the credit'.

"What you get after spending a bit of time with each other is how they speak to each other; the banter.

"There is a lot of humour."

In return, the officers – of whom he speaks highly and whose names he declined to reveal – have been immortalised as characters in his book.

Also keeping their fictional identities under wraps, he added: "Readers will have to work that out when they read the book."

The Dying Hours, published on May 23, is the 12th instalment in the Tom Thorne series, which Mr Billingham started in 2001.

The novels were turned into a Sky1 television series starting in October 2010, starring David Morrissey in the title role.

1 in 4 Croydon residents have never tried to get an NHS dental appointment

June 17, 2013, 11:27 pm

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Almost a quarter of Croydon residents have never tried to get an appointment with an NHS dentist within the last two years. Figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics show 23 per cent of survey respondents across the borough had not tried to get an appointment. The number is slightly above the national average, which is 22 per cent. The study also shows that 28 per cent of residents had failed to book to a dentist appointment in the last two years because they felt they didn't need one.

'NHS mismanagement gave us a £20m deficit'

June 18, 2013, 3:00 am

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FINANCIAL mismanagement at NHS Croydon is a key cause of its successor's £20 million deficit, two senior health officials have claimed.

The primary care trust (PCT) posted a £5.5 million surplus in 2010/11 when it had in fact overspent by £28 million.

NHS London has stood by the findings of a report it commissioned into the scandal which said there had been no adverse impact on healthcare.

Paula Swann, chief officer of Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group, which replaced the PCT in April, said the new organisation has been left with a legacy of overspending.

"NHS Croydon left us with an underlying deficit," she said.

"At that point of time they were spending a lot more money than they had resources for.

"The issue is the local health economy weren't aware of that so they didn't take appropriate action quick enough to enable additional savings to take place.

"It has made planning a way out of our current situation much more difficult."

Croydon CCG did not have to directly repay any of its predecessor's £23 million overspend because it was settled using money from elsewhere in the NHS, using what is called a prior period adjustment.

"The problem in 2010/11 was fixed, but the money wasn't spent on services just for that period, but over a number of years," said Mike Sexton, chief financial officer at Croydon CCG.

"Say we spent £10 million on A&E and we only had a budget for £9 million. That's a £1 million deficit. Then imagine we sorted that out with a prior period adjustment.

"Next year we know there will be £10 million of people using the A&E, but we only have £9 million, and the population has grown.

"The reality is it takes time to bridge that gap.

"We're left with a legacy of demand and behaviour which has forced us to look at efficiencies across all areas."

The CCG must save £47 million if it is to break even – an annual statutory duty – by 2015. It has predicted a £19.9 million deficit this year, not including making £14 million of savings.

On Tuesday Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told the Commons he is "extremely concerned" at the lack of accountability at NHS Croydon.

It wrote to Mr Hunt and called on him to intervene. Responding to a question from Croydon Central Gavin Barwell, the Secretary of State said: "Accountability is extremely important and local authorities can require members or employees of local health service commissioners to appear and answer questions. NHS organisations and individuals should co-operate with that."

Man denies attempted murder after knife attack

June 18, 2013, 6:07 am

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A MAN who allegedly stabbed another man eight times at a house in Thornton Heath has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder. Police were called to Reservoir Close on April 21 and found Barrington Junior Smith, 25, had suffered multiple stab wounds. Recardo Pollack, 27, was arrested and charged with attempted murder and wounding with intent. He appeared at Croydon Crown Court today (Tuesday) and pleaded not guilty to both counts. The court heard that three knives had been recovered from the scene and had been sent away for forensic examination. Wearing a green shirt and jeans, Pollack, of Silverdale, Sydenham, spoke only to confirm his name and enter a plea. During the short hearing he waved to friends and family who were sitting in the public gallery. Judge Jeremy Gold QC set a trial date for October 7 at Croydon Crown Court.

Motorcyclist injured after crash in Coulsdon

June 19, 2013, 3:25 am

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A MOTORCYCLIST has been seriously injured after a crash in Coulsdon this morning. Emergency services were called to Brighton Road next to the Coulsdon bypass just before 9am. A spokesman for the London Ambulance Service said paramedics treated a man, thought to be 22 years old, for a leg injury, and took him as a priority to St George's Hospital in Tooting. Witnesses reported road closures for at least one hour and a half after the incident.

Controversial health review delayed again

June 19, 2013, 4:48 am

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A REVIEW of healthcare which promised multi-million pound investment in Croydon University Hospital has been delayed again. While one of the options being considered by the Better Services, Better Value (BSBV) review was closing key departments at the hospital in London Road, the more likely outcome was a £75 million revamp of its A&E and maternity departments. The controversial process has been beset by delays and now NHS England has asked clinicians to look again at its three potential configurations amid fear they are financially unviable. BSBV had been due to go out to public consultation in the coming week but will now be rethought over the summer. Dr David Finch, joint medical director for BSBV, said the latest set back was "disappointing". "NHS England continues to support the case for change and the clinical service proposals but has asked us to look once more at the finances to give absolute assurances before the programme progresses to the next stage," he said. "We have also listened to the concerns of stakeholders and MPs that we should not consult with the public over the summer, when people are often away. "Given the further work to be done, the local committee of CCGs is now expected to meet after the summer to plan the next steps. "This decision is disappointing. However, our recommendations will be all the stronger for the additional work." Last month board members at Croydon CCG, responsible for commissioning health services in the borough, described the idea of downgrading the town's hospital as "crackpot" and "undeliverable". The plans, which would likely see key services closed at Epsom and St Helier hospitals, has also been criticised by Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling and Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake. The review ground to a halt last November after the collapse of a hospital merger in Surrey raised questions of the clinical and financial evidence it was based on.

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MP inspired by Lillian's Law proposes further drug-driving reforms

June 19, 2013, 5:46 am

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A CHESHIRE MP inspired by the success of the Advertiser's Lillian's Law campaign has proposed further changes to the government's approach to drug-driving. Graham Evans, MP for Weaver Vale, has brought forward a Private Member's Bill which would mean anyone arrested or charged with driving under the influence of a Class A drug would be assessed then recommended treatment. It follows a new drug-driving offence prompted by Lillian's Law, a campaign led by the family of 14-year-old Lillian Groves from New Addington, who was knocked down and killed outside her house in June 2010 by a driver who had taken cannabis. The family and the Advertiser joined forces and, with the help of Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell, convinced Prime Minister David Cameron that action needed to be taken. He agreed to bring the law in line with drink-driving, making it an offence to drive with more than a specified levels of certain substances in your blood. The changes were included in the Crime and Courts Act which achieved Royal Assent in May. Mr Evans told the Advertiser that the success of Lillian's Law has proved there is political will to tackle drug-driving. Mr Evans said: "It is through the tireless work of people like Lillian Groves family and Gavin Barwell that the dangers of drug driving have risen to the top of the political agenda. "This Bill is about breaking a cycle of behaviour and doing more to ensure those convicted of driving while on Class A drugs receive help in the same way as those who drink-drive. "I hope it will take the opportunity to intervene at the first instance to make people aware that drug-driving is unacceptable." Mr Barwell said: "I am delighted that Graham has chosen to take such an important issue forward as his Private Member's Bill. "The dedication of the Groves family, whose efforts to ensure other families don't have to go through what they have experienced, has been inspirational during my time working on their campaign. "If successful, this Bill will help keep attention focused on the dangers of drug driving as the Government works towards new legislation. "Driving under the influence of drugs is under-recognised as a cause of death on our roads, and it is time we made it as unacceptable as drink driving." The Drug Driving (Assessment of Drug Misuse) Bill was formally announced in the House of Commons today (Wednesday) and will have its second reading in October. While the framework of the new drug-driving law has been confirmed, new legislation is required to determine the levels and substances covered.

Judge threatens to clear alleged rapist due to 'lamentable failures' by CPS

June 19, 2013, 11:28 pm

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A JUDGE has threatened to clear an alleged rapist without a trial because of "lamentable failures" by the Crown Prosecution Service. Jeremy Gold QC ordered the prosecution to produce the paperwork it had repeatedly failed to disclose or he would find 20-year-old Khan Jabarkhel not guilty - without the case being put before a jury. He tore into the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) during the hearing at Croydon Crown Court on Tuesday, describing the case as a "particularly bad example" of the "wholly shambolic" state of the service in London, which judges experience "on an almost daily basis". The CPS said the case was "complex" and that it would comply with the judge's order to supply the documents by Friday (June 21). Jabarkhel, of North Downs Road, Thornton Heath, is accused of rape of a woman over 16 on September 26 last year. After being arrested and charged, he appeared at Croydon Magistrates' Court for a hearing on September 28. He was committed to crown court where he pleaded not guilty on December 19. During Tuesday's hearing, his barrister outlined the "sorry history" of the case, which began at a hearing on January 11 when the CPS informed the court that a second man was to be charged in relation to the alleged rape. That never happened, causing further delays. On the first day of Jabarkhel's trial, the CPS failed to disclose basic paperwork, despite repeated requests from his defence team. The judge adjourned the proceedings and ordered the prosecution to provide the documents. When the case came up on Tuesday, prosecutor Don Rogers told Judge Gold, who had made one of the previous orders, that the casework had still not been disclosed. He replied: "The wholly shambolic state of the CPS in this area is something that I, and other judges here, see on a daily basis. This is a particularly bad example. "For the defence to be asking formally for basic documents to be served and simply getting no response from the CPS is a lamentable state of affairs." Judge Gold said Jabarkhel, who is on conditional bail, had suffered "very significant restraints to his personal liberty" while the prosecution had failed to comply with "clear direction" to provide the required documentation. "There has been a lamentable failure by the prosecution to even begin to comply with the orders the court has made for disclosure," he added. "What effect this will have on whether or not the trial proceeds is a case for the trial judge." With obvious frustration, he added: "I direct that all outstanding paperwork in this case be served by June 21. "If this direction continues to be flouted I instruct the defence to list the case for mention to come in front of me again. "I will then list it for trial the following day. If the case is not in a position to proceed I will direct a not guilty verdict in relation to this defendant. "I can think of no other way of dealing fairly with the persistent failure of the CPS to comply with these orders. "There has been a lamentable failure by the CPS to prepare the case for trial." After Judge Gold had adjourned the case, Mr Rogers turned to his assistant prosecutor and said: "That was tough." A spokesperson defended the CPS record in London, saying 86 per cent of judges orders are complied with. "This is a very serious and complex case involving a young victim and a significant amount of work has been done with the police to build this case," she added. "We had served all the evidence in this case but it had not all been served at the same time. The Judge has asked for a single paginated bundle which he will receive by 21 June. The issue of disclosure will also be addressed by this date, as ordered by the Judge."

UPDATE: Nine arrests made in crackdown on crime in New Addington

June 20, 2013, 12:28 am

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NINE people were arrested and drugs and suspected stolen goods were seized in a planned police crackdown on crime in New Addington yesterday. Dozens of police, including mounted police, spent the day in the estate, carrying out search and arrest warrants and spot checks for fare-dodgers on the trams. The nine arrests included one for burglary, one for possession with intent to supply a class B drug, and one for possession of an offensive weapon. The others were: three for not having the correct motor insurance, one immigration offence, one breach of a restraining order and one breach of bail. Officers conducted 600 checks on the tram network, focusing on the New Addington area, and issued 38 enforcement notices. Six bags of cocaine and two bags of cannabis were seized from an address in Headley Drive. A police spokesman could not immediately provide the size of the bags. A "large" bag of Sim cards was also seized, as were seven vehicles for not having the correct insurance. A Croydon police spokesman said the operation was a local initiative, and not part of the Big Wing operation that saw arrests made across Croydon last month.

Elderly woman hurt as tarmac truck collides with car in Kenley

June 20, 2013, 1:46 am

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AN ELDERLY woman was rushed to hospital after a tarmac truck spun out of control in Kenley and crashed into her stationary car this morning. Police and ambulance were called to Godstone Road at 8.30am to find the lady, reportedly in her early 70s, stuck in her car. She was taken to hospital with shoulder pain and shock. A representative from Marshall Surfacing said his driver had turned into Hayes Lane from Godstone Road when his lever came off in his hands and sent the truck into the back of a parked car. The truck was on its way to small roadworks in nearby Oak Road at the time. Roy Skinner, who lives in Kenley and was on his way to work, had parked his car next to the elderly woman's to visit the Co-op, only to come out and find his car had also been damaged by the truck. "I nipped into the shop to buy some fags and came back to find my Audi smashed at the front where the truck had pushed the lady's car into it," he told the Advertiser. "Not a good start to a Thursday." The tarmac truck has now been removed and the council are on their way to investigate and repair a lampost damaged during the incident.

The landmark project that's set to transform town's skyline

June 20, 2013, 2:16 am

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T HE Croydon skyline is set to be transformed in the coming years and among the most ambitious projects is One Lansdowne Road situated in the heart of the town.

Guildhouse-Rosepride are the developers for the 55-storey building, designed by renowned architect Piers Gough, whose portfolio includes prominent work in the redevelopment of London's Docklands.

To give some idea of the scale of the challenge, this is the tallest residential tower currently granted planning permission in the UK – even higher than the neighbouring proposal drawn up by Menta in Cherry Orchard Road, on the other side of East Croydon station.

However Mr Gough insists the 200-metre One Lansdowne Road building will act as a focal point on south London's skyline, marking the regeneration of Croydon.

"The design celebrates this most prominent of sites at the epicentre of the town," said Mr Gough.

"The mixed uses of the tower and the surrounding landscape re-imagines the liveability of central Croydon and gives it a gorgeous memorable image."

With the design featuring 397 luxury apartments, roof-top gardens, an on-site Members Health Club, four-star hotel facilities, bars, restaurants and coffee shops, and 180,000 square-foot of Grade A offices, this is among the most prestigious of the wave of developments currently being earmarked for Croydon town centre.

The complex is seen as becoming one of the region's trophy assets, with planning permission having been granted early last year, although a start date for work to begin on the project has still to be announced.

The proposals may be ambitious but the developers believe they are in keeping with the potential for growth in Croydon over the next few years.

Mark Waterstone, director of Guildhouse-Rosepride, said: "As a local developer who has worked in Croydon for many years and knows the needs of the area well, it gives me great pride to bring forward a scheme of such ambition and promise.

"We firmly believe that Croydon has a fantastic future which has been confirmed by the £1 billion investment of Westfield and Hammerson to bring forward the largest shopping mall in Europe."