New boulders set to encourage shoppers to New Addington high street

Traders are confident that newly-installed boulders will help attract shoppers to New Addington high street.

The first part of an ambitious scheme aimed at rejuvenating the London suburb of New Addington has been unveiled.

Costing £7,000, the first stage of the £500,000 project has seen dozens of large boulders installed on the main shopping street.

While the stones may look out of place – with the Evening Standard reporting that some local shopkeepers are confused why the council would want to spend good money on making the thoroughfare look like the site of a meteor crash – they have been put there with the specific aim of preventing cars from parking illegally.

It is hoped that tackling nuisance parking will encourage more people to visit Central Parade, giving New Addington businesses a much-needed shot in the arm, with a spokesman for Croydon Council explaining they were installed following a lengthy consultation with local residents and shopkeepers.

"The boulders are part of the Outer London Fund programme of public realm improvements in New Addington," he told the Standard.

Also speaking to the newspaper, one supporter of the scheme explained that the boulders will help with the desired pedestrianism of the high street, improving overall footfall levels while not looking so regimented as standard bollards.

As well as the boulders, this first stage of the planned rejuvenation programme will also see several trees planted on and around the main shopping street, while money will also be invested in a new children’s play area.

New Addington was given a major boost back in 2000 with the construction of a new tram connection, linking the community to Croydon and Wimbledon, and from there into Central London.

Alongside its enhanced transport links, New Addington is also known for being surrounded by large areas of green space, including several golf courses, public woods and playing fields.

Additionally, the area is also home to a number of traditional English pubs, as well as a wide range of entertainment facilities.

Posted by Chris Price

Published 16th October, 2012

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