Clearer signage, greener streets and refreshed public spaces are set to appear across parts of Croydon next year, as government-funded high street regeneration schemes get under way.

The plans are being shaped by local communities, with residents encouraged to have their say on how the funding is spent.

None of the funding will come from Croydon Council’s reserves but from central government and TfL, with the borough required to bid for it. One such source is the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which will provide £600,000, with work expected to begin in January 2026.

Earlier this month, it was confirmed that four district centres across Croydon — Coulsdon, Addiscombe, Norbury and South Croydon — will share the UKSPF funding to deliver smaller-scale improvements aimed at improving accessibility and the appearance of Croydon’s smaller hubs.

The UKSPF is a £2.6bn national programme, with additional funding confirmed for 2025/26. Rather than large-scale redevelopment, the scheme focuses on smaller, targeted improvements designed to enhance how local centres look, function and are used by residents and visitors.

Here is a breakdown of where the funding could be spent:

Coulsdon: Wayfinding, greening and public space upgrades

Coulsdon town is set to receive £150,000 of UKSPF funding, with proposals shaped following engagement with local community groups. Perhaps the most eye-catching improvements will be seen around the Coulsdon Library area, where an insect habitat sign is planned to draw attention to the Hive.

The Hive is a community garden located just off Coulsdon High Street, behind Coulsdon Library. Hive member Gill Hickson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “We are pleased to have the investment in Coulsdon Town and happy to have any initiative that highlights our wonderful community garden behind Coulsdon Library.”

The community garden is now looking to link up with other local gardens and has already helped with Coulsdon South Station Garden, Tollers Community Garden and Chaldon Way Gardens.

Among the other improvements planned under the UKSPF are three new virtual wayfinding maps — two on Brighton Road and one on Chipstead Valley Road — alongside three wayfinding seats on Brighton Road, including one near Coulsdon Library. Additional signage is also planned.

The secretary of the East Coulsdon Residents’ Association said: “They are taking on what the residents are saying. The maps seem pretty good for the amount of money we have.”

Greening works will also take place along the High Street, with raised planters and integrated seating proposed on Brighton Road to enhance the streetscape.

Addiscombe: Public realm improvements on Lower Addiscombe Road and road safety

In the north of the borough, works will take place on Lower Addiscombe Road, where plans include new festive lighting, a community noticeboard and upgrades to Addiscombe Triangle. The changes are intended to improve the appearance of the area and support local activity along the high street.

In January, road safety improvement works will also take place in Addiscombe, focusing on the busy TfL-managed A232, which runs from central Croydon towards Shirley. These improvements are funded through TfL’s annual Local Implementation Plan (LIP) funding, which all London boroughs must bid for each year.

The new Addiscombe scheme will include:

• A new zebra crossing at the junction of Lower Addiscombe Road and Bingham Road
• A new zebra crossing on Bingham Road, opposite St Mildred’s Church
• A raised junction treatment at the junction of Bingham Road and Shirley Road

To improve visibility and enhance safety, two parking bays will be removed to accommodate the new crossing at Lower Addiscombe Road. The LDRS has previously outlined the allocation of next year’s full LIP funding.

Norbury: Resurfacing and planting

In Norbury, resurfacing works and additional planting are planned for the St Helens Green Triangle, just off the main high street, and the Green Lane shopping parade, closer to Thornton Heath.

Local residents from the Scots Estate Norbury Residents’ Association (SERA) have highlighted that St Helens Green could benefit from more regular lawn cutting and sturdier pavements, which are currently cracking and difficult to navigate around parked cars.

Safety is also a key concern for SERA members. While larger measures fall outside the scope of the UKSPF, the council is being urged to focus on steps that reassure local residents. SERA member Jocelyn told the LDRS: “Frankly, I’d just be happy to be able to walk down there after dark without fear. CCTV, better lighting, better policing.”

South Croydon: Restaurant Quarter updates

In South Croydon, the Restaurant Quarter and Selsdon Road are due to receive public art banners, feature paving and new tree planting. New street signage is also planned to improve wayfinding in the area.

The council hopes the works will support the area’s role as a destination for dining and events, including the Croydon Food and Music Festival, which took place in August this year.

Other funding across Croydon: New Addington and Pride in Place

The UKSPF and LIP funding schemes sit alongside other government-backed investment in the borough, such as the Pride in Place programme, which focuses on neighbourhoods identified as having experienced long-term underinvestment.

Pride in Place aims to address visible signs of decline and respond to hyperlocal priorities, while taking a different approach to delivery by placing greater emphasis on community leadership rather than competitive bidding or consultant-led programmes.

Earlier this year, New Addington North was selected to receive £20million over ten years through Pride in Place, equivalent to £2million a year. It was one of only two neighbourhoods in London to receive funding, the other being Harold Hill East in Havering.

After the funding was announced in September, the LDRS spoke to members of the community who suggested the money should be spent on safety, lighting, youth provision and the future of the Wayside shopping area.

According to the government’s timeline, an initial £150,000 will be released in early 2026 to support community engagement and the establishment of Neighbourhood Boards, who will decide with local politicians how the money will be spent. From April 2026, programme delivery funding will follow, marking the start of the delivery phase.

Neighbourhood Boards are expected to confirm their membership and any proposed boundary changes by July 2026, with Pride in Place Plans submitted for assessment by November.

Residents are being encouraged to take part in shaping the programme. Croydon Central MP Natasha Irons has launched a digital survey to gather views and allow people to register their interest in joining the Neighbourhood Board.

Ms Irons told the LDRS: “This investment gives local people the opportunity to influence how funding is spent in their community. An extra £2million a year for ten years is a huge investment, and all ideas on how the money should be spent are welcome.”

New Addington South has already benefited from earlier UKSPF funding, which supported improvements to Central Parade, Market Square and the Octagon building, which houses the New Addington Pathfinders community organisation. The Pride in Place investment is intended to build on this work and address longer-standing challenges in the north of the area.

Responding to the latest round of UKSPF funding, Mayor of Croydon Jason Perry said: “These schemes are about making everyday improvements to places people use regularly. They are intended to support local centres and the businesses and communities within them.”