7 months since we launched our petition and met with Southern Rail - but I'm pleased to report we have finally got another update! And even better - it's good news.
On Friday evening (23rd Jan) we received an email from Southern. The email informed us that the bike racks will be temporarily closed from Monday 26th Jan to Friday 30th Jan, so fencing can be installed to separate the bike parking from the staff car parking area.
The result? The staff car park can be secured, whilst keeping the bike parking open to the public.
We'll have to see what this looks like in practice. (Southern haven't provided more detail or any drawings to set out what the new layout will look like.) However, this appears to be a great success for our campaign!
Once the car park is secured, this resolves Southern's original argument for why the bike parking needed to be removed. So the changes should mean the bike parking is now safe for the forseeable future.
We are a bit disappointed not to have had more engagement from Southern before they made this latest decision. This could have been an opportunity to involve the community in the changes, and discuss other improvements which could be made to Billinton Hill (e.g. lighting, other repairs, or improving pedestrian access). However - the main thing is the bike rack is staying!
Fencing off the bike parking was one of the suggestions our members proposed when we spoke to Southern back in July. And the bike rack would already have been long gone by then if our campaign hadn't forced Southern to pause their original decision. So I want to thank you all for signing the petition - this is all down to you.
I also want to thank Natasha Irons MP, Sarah Jones MP, Cllr Rowenna Davis and the other councillors who supported our campaign - not only raising awareness, but also writing directly to Southern/Thameslink's CEO and demanding action.
Coverage of the decision below:
- Croydon Advertiser - https://www.mylondon.news/news/transport/east-croydon-bike-racks-saved-33305453
- Inside Croydon - https://insidecroydon.com/2026/01/26/east-croydon-station-bike-racks-are-saved-after-public-petition/
Thanks,
Chris