Billions of pounds are being invested into the borough, but a document planning for this future has warned the council faces a £805m shortfall in meeting infrastructure demands.

A document entitled the Croydon Promise states that £9bn will be spent over the next five years making Croydon a city in all but name, with a population of more than 400,000.

But, as Croydon grows, pressure on the infrastructure will increase as more people are attracted to the borough.

Requirements include a new electricity substation to cope with increased demand for power, digital improvements including fibre optic broadband to attract more technical and creative businesses and a district heating system to provide low-carbon heat to new developments.

This is on top of new schools to cater for the huge boost in population, and work on the transport network which the document states is already almost at capacity.

This includes East Croydon station, which is already the third busiest interchange on the Network Rail network, serving 26,000 passengers a day.

Croydon Tramlink carries more than 30m passengers a year and is now operating above its original planned capacity.

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The cost of all the infrastructure projects planned for the borough over the next five years is estimated to be £1.1bn.

But so far only £300m has been identified.

Cabinet member for homes and regeneration Councillor Alison Butler said it was essential to bridge the funding gap soon, otherwise they might have to turn to plan B.

She said: “We are working alongside the GLA, members of Parliament and Transport for London and the Mayor of London to do a bid to the Treasury around that funding gap.”

Continued from front page “We have all these organisations on side that all support the growth in London and it is essential to get the infrastructure in place.

“There is always plan B but we are very much on plan A.

“If central Government comes back to us on those terms then we can get the ball rolling.

“We need growth around jobs and homes and you cannot just deliver these on their own and you need the infrastructure.”

Council leader Councillor Tony Newman said: “We are on the cusp of massive regeneration across the borough, with exciting plans which will transform our borough bringing huge benefits to local residents.

“The Growth Plan is really important in setting out how we will deliver and ensures Croydon doesn’t miss out on the opportunities created by another economic cycle.

“Whether it is building new homes, creating new jobs, or generating investment, the council will be leading from the front to see that these promises are delivered.”

Your Local Guardian:

THE CROYDON PROMISE

In the north of Croydon

In New Addington and Fieldway

  • A state of the art leisure centre, costing £17m, in New Addington.
  • Free basic broadband for council tenants
  • New homes near existing estates.

In the East of Croydon

  • Refurbishing Ashburton Library
  • Develop new walking and cycling links to reduce the reliance on car travel, including new cycle routes from central Croydon to Selsdon.

In the South of Croydon

  • A leisure centre, library, new homes, shops  and car parking at 50-52 High Street, Purley
  • More than 1,000 homes planned for Croydon in the next five years – the majority of these will be in Purley and Coulsdon.
  • Review and implement flood mitigation works in Purley and Kenley.