Croydon carer given £65 traffic fine from LTN on way to see dying patient
By Tara O’Connor, local democracy reporter
A Croydon carer was not let off a £65 traffic camera fine she got on her way to see a dying patient.
Jarmila Whiteley has lived near Holmesdale Road for 48 years and says road restrictions have made her work as an end of life carer more challenging.
She was one of a handful of people that spoke at a Croydon Council meeting about the future of low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).
She said: “I had a £65 fine for entering an LTN road, I was visiting a family in crisis with a dying loved one.”
Ms Whiteley told the Traffic Management Advisory Committee that an appeal of this fine was unsuccessful.
It comes as Croydon Council decided to extend the use of traffic cameras for another 18 months.
Thornton Heath ward councillor Karen Jewitt said: “She was given a ticket for going to someone’s house who was taking their last breath.
“We have to show some humanity here, it is just not good enough.”
She added that she thinks exemptions should be given to organisations rather than individual carers.
Ian Plowright, head of strategic transport, stressed that carers will not have to apply for a permit for each visit they undertake.
He said: “One of the reasons for moving to ANPR is to seek to provide access to those who need it including emergency services.
“Officers have looked to widen those exemptions, it is difficult to provide an exemption for an organisation.”
Croydon Council wants to replace seven existing LTNs with experimental traffic orders which will be in place for 18 months.
These are in areas around, Dalmally Road, Elmers Road, Parsons Mead, Sutherland Road area, Holmesdale Road, Albert Road and Kemerton Road.
It will generally see physical restrictions replaced with traffic cameras.
This means those living in the areas will be exempt from the restrictions, as will carers, taxis and blue badge holders.
The meeting also heard from those in favour of extending the restrictions.
Karina Fernandes said the LTN around Albert Road has made life better for her family.
She said: “Albert Road used to be the most hideous rat-run of a road I’ve ever encountered in my life. It was a very frightening thing to cross with two children.
“There are two schools off that road, since the LTNs have gone in our walks have been wonderful and tranquil.
“Crossing the road has been safe and the children have had agency to learn about what road safety means.”
The committee voted in favour of the recommendation of the experimental orders – the final decision will now be considered by cabinet member Councillor Muhammad Ali and Steve Iles, director of sustainable communities
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