Disgruntled commuters have expressed their disgust at rail operator Southern’s decision to remove a bike rack facility at East Croydon station over security fears, namely that the staff car park the bike parking is found in has experienced unauthorised vehicle access and rail chiefs fear the station could be targeted by a car bomb.

A petition has been launched urging Southern to keep the bike rack, on the Cherry Orchard Road side of the station, which cyclists say is “the only properly secure cycle storage at East Croydon”. However, operator Southern has this week told Inside Croydon that it intends to cut off access to the staff car park and so the rack “itself will no longer be accessible and will be removed”.

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Explaining the decision, a Southern spokesperson said: “This bike rack is located within a staff car park. We have an ongoing challenge with unauthorised vehicles accessing the car park which poses an issue from a security perspective given the proximity of the car park to the train lines and platforms – ie from a car bomb perspective.

East Croydon station bike rack
East Croydon station bike rack (Image Credit: Google Maps)

“The site has been highlighted as an issue from a security perspective and to mitigate it we need to make the car park secure. Unfortunately, given the layout of the security wall, this will mean the rack itself will no longer be accessible and so will be removed.”

East Croydon bike rack
East Croydon bike rack (Image Credit: Google Maps)

The explanation has prompted some questions about why the car park cannot be secured from unauthorised vehicles without the need to cut access for cyclists too, however the rail operator appears set on the decision, saying only that “we are hopeful that more [bike storage] can be added in the future as part of wider public realm works for this part of Croydon generally”.

Chris Galpin set up the petition challenging the decision and reacted to the explanation by stating: “Southern’s response makes no sense at all.”

“Installing a car barrier while allowing pedestrian and cycle access would be the obvious solution to address the concerns,” he added, before pointing out that one stop down the line, at South Croydon, there is also a car park “right next to the railway”.

“It seems like there are one set of rules for one part of the borough, and different rules elsewhere,” he said.

Council sources told the local news website that the matter has never been raised at meetings of the local authority’s “advisory forum on active, sustainable and accessible transport”.

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Notices have appeared at the rack communicating the intention to close access from 1 July, more than 420 people having now signed the petition to save the cycle parking. Making the case, Mr Galpin explained how it is “the only properly secure cycle storage at East Croydon” and that many people rely on the “crucial” facility while completing their commutes via train.

“The cycle storage has a roof and is covered by CCTV,” he said. “It’s one of very few places near the station I feel comfortable parking my bike for a whole day, knowing it will still be there when I get back. However, Southern Rail is now threatening to close this crucial amenity with little notice, no public consultation, and no plan to provide a replacement.

“The proposed ‘alternative’ cycle parking is not only a long distance away — it also lacks the same security measures. No shelter, no CCTV. Without these protections, many of us will fear for the safety of our bikes. Ultimately, many people may decide not to cycle – or even not to get the train at all. The loss of secure cycle parking is a step backward in our efforts to promote sustainable transportation in Croydon.

“The closure notice was put up on 19th June, less than two weeks before the cycle storage is due to be removed. Southern Rail have rushed this through without any consultation, or any consideration for the impact it will have on people in Croydon. 19th June is also, ironically, ‘UK Clean Air Day’ — a day to raise awareness of the over 29,000 deaths caused each year by air pollution.

“It is crucial that Southern Rail reconsider this decision. Not just for me, but for hundreds of cyclists who depend on this facility. We demand a proper discussion and a commitment to maintaining secure and convenient cycle parking at East Croydon Station. Sign this petition to urge Southern Rail to keep the cycle parking open, preserving our right to safe and sustainable commuting options in Croydon. A simple bike ride to the station should not turn into a worry over the security of our bikes. Let’s ensure our voices are heard before decisions are made without the community’s input.”