Waddon
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| Waddon | |
|---|---|
| Administration | |
| Borough: | Croydon |
| County: | Greater London |
| Region: | Greater London |
| Nation: | England |
| Other | |
| Ceremonial County: | Greater London |
| Traditional County: | Surrey |
| Post Office and Telephone | |
| Post town: | CROYDON |
| Postcode: | CR0 |
| Dialling Code: | 020 |
Waddon is a place in the London Borough of Croydon, to the south west of central Croydon on the borders of the London Borough of Sutton. Waddon has an older area with 19th century properties, some even older, close to central Croydon. Further south is a large estate of Council-owned homes and a small number of tower blocks. The area has become popular with young professionals due to its proximity to Croydon.
Waddon is in the Wandle river valley. Waddon Ponds is a public open space, the ponds in which are filled by the river. There are plans to open up the culverted river once again at various places.
Croydon Airport is on the edge of the Waddon area, with the local community consequently suffering badly in the Blitz and subsequent bombing raids in World War II. In the vicinity of Waddon Marsh and nearby Beddington, there were both lavender farms and sewage works, so that passengers arriving at Croydon would choose their seats carefully so as to be on the right side for the right smell.
Running through Waddon, between Purley and West Croydon, is Purley Way, the A23, home to many superstores and light industrial units. Waddon railway station is on the line between West Croydon railway station and Epsom Downs or Sutton. There are Tramlink stops at Waddon Marsh and Wandle Park.
Politically, Waddon is the most marginal ward of Croydon Council and has seen its representation swap between the Labour and Conservative Parties for many years. In 1994, Labour won all three seats, then in 1998, the ward returned one Labour and two Conservative councillors, one of whom defected to the Liberal Democrats. In 2002, Labour once again won all three seats, albeit with one of them scraping home with a majority of eight votes. Waddon is now the only Labour ward in the seat of Richard Ottaway MP.