Thank you all so much once again for signing the petition - we are now up to over 440 signatures!
We've also had a big vote of support from Croydon East MP Natasha Irons! On Monday, Natasha wrote to the CEO of Southern Rail, highlighting our campaign and calling for Southern to keep the bike parking open.
The Croydon East MP's letter notes that East Croydon is one of the country's busiest stations, and that secure cycle parking is essential in ensuring that residents from across Croydon are able to make use of train services. She rightly calls out Southern Rail's suggested alternative cycle parking as "entirely unacceptable and inadequate".
You can read the letter in full here: https://bsky.app/profile/ndironsmp.bsky.social/post/3lsefwrtg322m
This is a huge boost for us - and makes it much harder for Southern to ignore our campaign. We really appreciate the speed at which Natasha and her team put the letter together and sent it out.
In another positive, we've also been covered in MyLondon! Thanks to Harrison Galliven for a positive write up.
It's clear from the Southern spokesperson's comments that we've got their attention. (Even if they do insist on making dubious claims about the alternative facilities available!) Let's keep sharing, keep up the pressure, and get a firm commitment out of them to keep the existing facilities open!
As a reminder, you can help out by:
- Share the petition! - on whatsapp, facebook and other social media
- Write to Southern Rail - https://www.southernrailway.com/help-and-support/contact-us. Be polite, but firm, and mention the "asks" set out above.
- Write to Cllr Scott Roche calling for him to publicly support out campaign - Scott is the council member responsible for Streets & Environment, which includes cycling. So far he hasn't made any comments to support our campaign or criticise Southern Rail's decision. (Again - please be polite but firm.)
- Send us pictures of you and your friends by the bike parking, and write about why the bike parking is important to you! - If you are happy for these pictures and comments to be used in the media and on campaign materials, please send them over. You can contact me at chrisgalpinaddiscombe@gmail.com.