Exempt Tavistock Road from proposed 8 am to midnight parking

There is a proposal of 8am to midnight, Monday to Sunday controls for the Croydon Controlled Parking Zone (outer permit zones) by Croydon Council Parking Services. This means that the parking after 6pm till midnight, Monday to Sunday will be charged.

The Croydon Gurdwara also known as Guru Nanak Community Centre, has been in existence since the 1980s and is the hub of all activities of the Sikh community in Croydon and adjoining areas including, Kenley, Wickham, Sutton etc. The building itself has a limited number of parking spaces and priority for those is given to disabled and elderly attendees. It has always been the case, therefore, that Gurdwara attendees park their cars on the nearby Tavistock Road.

The ability to park on Tavistock Road is crucial to the Sikh community and everyone attending Croydon Gurdwara services on Wednesday (6pm to 9pm), Saturday (6pm to 9pm) and Sunday (6am to 10am). If new restrictions are implemented then it would virtually mean the end of the benefits which attendees obtained from Gurdwara and end of Gurdwara itself and the services it provide to many. The Sikh community in Croydon is vibrant and self sustaining. It has not obtained any monetary help from outside and yet provides many important services including:

 Religious services for families (e.g. birthdays, marriages, funerals etc).
 Looking after the elderly during the day, providing free food, company and care
 Free Punjabi Language, Religious Studies and musical classes for children
 Yoga classes
 Karate classes
 Health awareness events
 Pastoral care for Sikh patients in Mayday Hospital

There are more than 2000 members of Sikh community who would be severely affected by charging the hours the Croydon Controlled Parking Zone operates from 8am to midnight. On special religious occasions such as Diwali etc the number attending from all over Croydon is far more than 2000 and yet Gurdwara has never asked for any special favours on such occasions. However, continuance of existing parking arrangements is crucial for the Sikh community. With the Gurdwara’s own premises having limited parking space (less than 5), it is vital that families and the elderly are able to continue parking on Tavistock Road as they do today. The Gurdwara’s crucial role as a centre for families, the elderly and as a place providing sound moral guidance for children and adults will be severely impacted if attendees have to pay to park on Tavistock Road.

We urge you therefore, to exempt Tavistock Road from this proposal and to keep the existing parking arrangements in place.

People may write directly to Community Services Department, Parking Services, PO Box 1462, Croydon CR9 1WX. Parking.Design@croydon.gov.uk quoting ref CS/PS/DJW/7TC.