It was at the 2024 ECCO AGM where National Rail first let out publicly that there was no business case for them to spend on a gateline on Cherry Orchard Rd and there were other schemes across the UK with better business cases that would therefore get funding approval to proceed. Read the minutes here https://eastcroydon.org.uk/first-public-meeting/.

There’s a new petition about Network Rail disregarding residents wanting the ticket barrier at Cherry Orchard Rd
https://www.change.org/p/ticket-gate-needed-from-cherry-orchard-road-into-east-croydon-station

Local MP Natasha Irons has met with Network Rail and been told that the pedestrian bridge over the railway at East Croydon station will be opened by the end of 2025. If you have an option on this matter, you can contact her via natasha.irons.mp@parliament.uk.

It is not clear whether the bridge will enable direct access to platforms from its Cherry Orchard side as originally planned https://eastcroydon.org.uk/2024/11/19/have-your-say-about-lack-of-access-to-station-platforms-from-the-cherry-orchard-side-of-the-pedestrian-railway-bridge-before-16-december-networkrailse-yourcroydon-tfl/. When Network Rail applied for planning permission to change this requirement, there were 612 objections to this happening (and only 15 in favour) https://publicaccess3.croydon.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=neighbourComments&keyVal=SLP9BYJLJ8R00