Access to central Croydon is to be made safer for cyclists with the introduction of a new highway.

This week work began on a segregated lane which will enable cyclists to travel against the flow of traffic, providing a safe route from Sydenham Road to Poplar Walk and then on to West Croydon and North End.

The highway will link to the surface level crossing of Wellesley Road, previously improved in 2015, making it easier to cross a main road on the borough's cycle network.

Councillor Stuart King, cabinet lead for environment and transport, said: “Creating joined-up and easy-to-use cycle routes is key to helping our residents and commuters make more sustainable journeys.

“The new route along Bedford Park will connect cyclists to public transport making journeys within and beyond the borough greener.

“The reworked junctions around Bedford Park will make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the roads.”

The most disruptive section of works are taking place during the school holidays, with improvements to the junction of Bedford Park and Tavistock Road and work on the traffic signals at the junction with Sydenham Road.

The next phase will see the construction of the segregated cycle path along Bedford Park from Sydenham Road to Wellesley Road.

As part of the works 19 of the 46 existing pay and display parking bays on Bedford Park will be removed to allow the cycle lane to be created.

Those in nearby roads will not be impacted.

Some road closures and parking suspensions will be necessary during the works, these will be clearly signposted at the site.