Croydon (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Southern Rail has paused the planned removal of the East Croydon bike rack on Billinton Hill, following public concern and ongoing consultations with stakeholders.
The announcement comes only one week after Inside Croydon revealed the train operators’ strategy, which they said was required due to the possibility of a “bomb threat” to the London to Brighton mainline and East Croydon Station.
Dozens of cyclists use the bicycle storage facility every day on their way to work, and almost 700 individuals have signed a petition opposing its removal. The bikers also took issue with Southern’s lack of consultation and the little notice that was given.
Southern had stated that the bike racks would be taken down on Tuesday, July 1.
They now claim that the work will not proceed. In addition to promising to “continue to consider improvements to the bike storage facilities at the station,” they have agreed to meet with both their patrons and a local Member of Parliament at East Croydon Station.
Both Sarah Jones, the MP for Croydon West, and Natasha Irons, the MP for Croydon East, had written to Southern to contest the ruling in response to Inside Croydon’s revelations.
Irons had called Southern’s prior options “unacceptable” and “inadequate.”
She said:
“We should be encouraging cyclists with secure, accessible bike parking – not taking it away.”
Last night, after receiving a response from Southern confirming their climbdown, Irons tweeted:
“Delighted that [Southern] have paused their decision to remove cycle racks at East Croydon Station.
Congratulations to the residents who are spearheading this campaign. We now need a long-term plan for bike parking at the station.”
Jones said:
“I firmly believe in the importance of infrastructure that enables sustainable, low-emission travel in Croydon, and I’m committed to ensuring it.”
Angie Doll, the chief executive of Govia Thameslink, which operates the Southern train service, was the recipient of the letter from Jones and Irons.
Southern reiterated the security threat defense in the letter to Jones on Doll’s behalf, claiming that a recent Department for Transport examination of the station had “highlighted” it.
However, they acknowledged that “persistent challenges with unauthorised vehicles” parking in the staff car park, where the bike rack is situated, are the real cause of the problem rather than the bike rack itself.
Chris Galpin, the Addiscombe rider who started the petition and the alarm, called Southern’s climbdown “great news!”
Galpin told petitioners last night,
“This is a huge success – thank you all for signing, sharing, writing to Southern…
However, the fight is not over – Southern have still not given any firm assurances about the long-term future of the bike parking, how long the ‘pause’ will be, or how much notice we will get of future changes.
For now, at least though, the bike racks are safe. Southern have agreed to meet with me, several other campaigners, and Natasha Irons MP in the coming weeks.”
This will be an opportunity for us to push for stronger commitments from Southern, and for proper consultation with station users to take place before any other changes are made.
There has been no public statement on this issue from any member of Croydon Council, including Conservative councillor Scott Roche, the cabinet member for streets and environment, who receives £40,175 in council allowances annually.
What led Southern Rail to pause the bike rack removal at East Croydon?
After local MPs Natasha Irons and Sarah Jones intervened and there was significant public resistance, including nearly 700 signatures on a petition, Southern Rail decided to halt the dismantling of the bike rack at East Croydon. Security issues, including the possibility of a bomb threat connected to unapproved vehicles entering the staff parking lot where the bike racks are situated, were raised by the train operator.
Critics countered that the decision was made without much warning or consultation and that the reason was insufficient.
The MPs contested Southern Rail’s ruling, highlighting how crucial safe, convenient bike parking is to promoting environmentally friendly travel. Southern Rail decided to stop the removal and pledge to meet with MPs and consumers in reaction to the political pressure and outrage.