A potential cross-border legal battle is brewing between Croydon and Bromley, after the latter announced it was pursuing action to have road-blocking barriers removed around Crystal Palace following an outcry from residents.

Bromley leader Cllr Colin Smith confirmed to residents this week the authority had initiated “the first tentative legal steps” to have planters placed by Croydon, aimed at cutting down on vehicle traffic around the Crystal Palace triangle, removed.

“I can confirm that Bromley has this week initiated the first tentative legal steps to try and have the barriers removed by order if common sense isn’t deployed and their street paraphernalia removed swiftly – as we would clearly far prefer,” Cllr Smith told residents.

The Conservative leader also said it “simply isn’t acceptable” that Bromley residents weren’t consulted on the changes.

News Shopper: Modal filters, such as these in Greenwich, have been used across London to cut down on vehicle traffic. Modal filters, such as these in Greenwich, have been used across London to cut down on vehicle traffic.

It comes after Croydon Council closed three roads on their side of the boundary in a bid to alleviate vehicle traffic and encourage cycling and walking.

The three roads closed – Fox Hill, Stambourne Way and Sylvan Hill – were used as a cut through between Church Road and Auckland Road, but drivers now need to go through the Crystal Palace triangle or find another route.

While the measures have been welcomed by some residents, who praised the encouragement of more cycling and walking in the area, they have drawn rage from residents across Bromley borough who claim the changes have backed up traffic for miles.

In correspondence with residents this week, Cllr Smith confirmed Bromley was “looking collegiately to Croydon colleagues to remove the recently installed street paraphernalia voluntarily”.

“If not, Bromley will unfortunately be seeking its removal forcefully given that we believe Croydon have flouted section 121B of the Road Traffic Regulation Act (1984).

“Like you, we very much hope that we all do this the easy way, learn quickly from this experience and move on.”

Cllr Smith said he had received feedback from residents on both sides of the borough boundary about the controversial measures.

“I would like every affected Bromley council resident to know that you enjoy the council’s 100 per cent undiluted support in your campaign to have Croydon’s recent actions reversed,” he said.

“How ever well intended their objectives might have been they have neither been thought through properly or consulted upon and that simply isn’t acceptable.”

A spokesperson for Croydon Council said they would work with Bromley to address residents’ concerns.

“Like all local authorities, we were called upon to swiftly introduce measures that would enable and encourage people to walk and cycle due to the urgent need to change travel habits – made more urgent due to Covid-19,” the spokesperson said.

“We have asked Bromley Council to work with us on further improvements to our temporary scheme, for the benefit of residents in both areas.

“We are confident in our use of the emergency powers. Feedback is very important to us; we have already made adjustments based on local input, and we remain keen to work closely with Bromley to resolve any concerns.”