On the rack: Southern have ‘paused’ plans to remove a bike strorage from East Croydon Station
Southern Rail is to “pause” on its removal of the bike rack on Billinton Hill.
The news comes barely a week after Inside Croydon broke the story of the train operators’ plan, which they claimed was necessary because of the risk of a “bomb threat” to East Croydon Station and the London to Brighton mainline.
Nearly 700 people have signed a petition against the removal of the bicycle storage facility, which is used by dozens of cycling commuters every day as they make their journey to work. The cyclists also complained about the short notice given and lack of any consultation by Southern.
Southern had said it intended to remove the bike racks next Tuesday, July 1.
Now, they say that work will not be going ahead. They have undertaken to meet with their customers and a local MP at East Croydon Station and that they will “continue to consider improvements to the bike storage facilities at the station”.
Following Inside Croydon’s reports, both Sarah Jones, the MP for Croydon West, and Natasha Irons, Croydon East’s MP, had written to Southern to challenge the decision.
Irons had described Southern’s previous alternatives as “inadequate” and “unacceptable”.
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 also congratulated the campaigners, saying that she will “continue to monitor this issue”.
Security concerns: Govia’s CEO Angie Doll
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.”
Jones and Irons had written to Angie Doll, the chief exec of Govia Thameslink, whose train services include Southern.
In the response to Jones on Doll’s behalf, Southern doubled-down on the security threat excuse, saying that it had been “highlighted” in a recent Department for Transport inspection of the station.
But they also admitted that the issue is not with the bike rack itself, but because of “persistent challenges with unauthorised vehicles” parking in the staff car park, where the bike rack is located.
“We do however appreciate the concerns you, and others, have raised about the plans, and have therefore decided to pause the closure of this staff car park to members of the public for the moment while we continue to consider improvements to the bike storage facilities at the station,” Southern said.
Chris Galpin, the cyclist from Addiscombe who raised the alarm, and the petition, described Southern’s climbdown as “Great news!”
Galpin told petitioners last night, “This is a huge success – thank you all for signing, sharing, writing to Southern…
Bomb threat: cycling activists have dismissed Southern’s explanation for removing the bike rack as ‘feeble’
“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.”
No one from Croydon Council, including the cabinet member for streets and environment, Conservative councillor Scott Roche (who receives £40,175 per year in council allowances), have made any public statement on this matter.
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