Two Croydon MPs have added their support to a campaign to stop Southern Rail from removing bicycle racks from East Croydon Station.

Bomb threat: cycling activists have dismissed Southern’s explanation for removing the bike rack as ‘feeble’

Inside Croydon broke the news last week that the rail operators had given commuter cyclists just 11 days’ notice that they intended to remove the racks positioned close to Platform 6, on Billinton Hill.

At the weekend, it emerged that Southern claimed that the bike racks, which have been in place for more than a decade, are some kind of security threat, including the possibility of a car bomb attack on the London to Brighton mainline.

A spokesperson (geddit?) for the Croydon Cycling Campaign described Southern’s explanation as “feeble”, and “an insult to our intelligence”.

Southern has said it will remove the bike racks next Tuesday, July 1.

Both Sarah Jones, the MP for Croydon West, and Natasha Irons, Croydon East’s MP, have said that they have written to Southern Rail seeking a change in decision, following Inside Croydon’s reports.

MP’s support: Croydon West’s Sarah Jones has lobbied Southern to change its mind

In her letter. Irons wrote: “Cycle connectivity enables residents from across my constituency to access the fast train services running through the capital and to the south coast…

“It is disappointing to learn that Southern are planning to close the secure cycle parking closest to the station with no clear outline for replacing this well-used cycle parking. Full-size cycles cannot be taken on trains during peak hours and secure parking close to the station is essential to many people’s onward journey via East Croydon Station.

“Expecting commuters to rely on the limited on-street bike docks on the main road is entirely unacceptable and inadequate.

“I am asking you to urgently reverse the decision to close this parking facility and to make clear how secure cycle parking will be provided at East Croydon for residents needing to access the station by cycle.”

Neither the council nor the cabinet member for streets and environment, Conservative councillor Scott Roche, have made any public statement to the news of the bike rack removal.

• To view the petition, click here

Inside Croydon – If you want real journalism, delivering real news, from a publication that is actually based in the borough, please consider paying for it. Sign up today: click here for more details

• Inside Croydon has moved to Bluesky. Click here to join us there for latest updates and insights

• If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com

• As featured on Google News Showcase

• We offer FREE ads to community groups when they have members who are paid subscribers to Inside Croydon

• Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here

• Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network