Plans to divert lorries from Beddington Lane could have a ‘disastrous impact’ on the Purley Way and increase pollution and congestion for residents.

That’s what Croydon North MP Steve Reed thinks of plans from Sutton Council to re-route lorries.

He claims that lorries carrying waste to the controversial Beddington incinerator would be pushed into residential streets in Croydon.

But Sutton Council insists that the plans are nothing to do with the £205 million energy recovery facility (ERF) run by Viridor.

A spokesman said: “It is not associated with the ERF at the north end of Beddington Lane, which already requires HGV traffic to avoid Beddington Village.”

The £205 million facility will burn up to 275,000 tonnes of waste a year that cannot be recycled, at the same time creating energy to run the facility.

Regardless, Mr Reed wants to see the council drop its proposals for a “weight restriction order” which he claims will re-route lorries carrying waste for the incinerator.

The plans would mean HGVs (heavy goods vehicles) have to avoid Beddington from Croydon Road and its junction of Hilliers Lane, to the southern side of Derry Road at its junction with Beddington Lane.

In an objection letter, Mr Reed said that more congestion would affect the health of residents and have a ‘disastrous impact’ on the already congested Purley Way.

The letter said: “It is unacceptable for Sutton Council to re-route into other boroughs HGVs travelling to and from the incinerator that your council granted planning permission to in the first place.”

As well as objecting, the Labour and Co-operative MP has called on the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to intervene.

Mr Reed said: “Sutton Lib Dems wanted this incinerator, so they must deal with the consequences of giving it planning permission.

“We simply won’t allow irresponsible councillors in a neighbouring borough to dump their problems on Croydon.”

But Sutton Council says the plan to divert HGVs is to preserve the Beddington Village Conservation Area.

A spokesman said: “We are working with Transport for London (TfL) to improve pedestrian and cycle safety, improve bus journey times and enhance the environment within the Beddington Village Conservation Area.

“This is predominantly a residential area with a school and is not suited for HGV traffic.

“We are proposing to restrict HGV access as part of the TfL Beddington Lane Major Scheme, funding for which was approved by TfL in late 2017.

“We have completed a statutory consultation involving residents, businesses and partners.”