East Croydon bike racks saved after Southern Rail reverses removal plan

Southern Rail has confirmed it will retain and upgrade the Billinton Hill bike racks at East Croydon after campaigners opposed a planned removal; work to fence and improve the cycle parking began January 26 and is expected to finish later in the week.

Southern Rail has confirmed it will keep and upgrade the bike racks at East Croydon station after a previously announced plan to remove them provoked local opposition. The Billinton Hill shelter, one of three cycle parking areas at the station, had been scheduled for removal last summer. Local campaigners led by Chris Galpin paused the work through public pressure and dialogue with the operator. Southern later communicated that the racks would instead be fenced and improved. Known details: - Southern originally posted notices asking users to remove bikes by June 30 ahead of a planned July 1 closure of the Billinton Hill racks. - The Billinton Hill shelter is one of three bike parking areas at East Croydon and is widely regarded as the safest for cyclists due to its fenced position away from the main thoroughfare. - After local backlash, Southern paused the removal and later confirmed in an email shared with Chris Galpin on January 23 that upgrade works would start on January 26 to fence and upgrade the cycle parking. - The racks will be closed to the public for most of the week while work takes place, but customers can still collect any bikes because the work involves constructing fences rather than relocating the racks; completion is expected on Thursday or Friday. Summary: The decision preserves the Billinton Hill cycle shelter and brings short-term physical improvements through fencing and upgraded parking. Work began January 26 with an expected finish later in the week, and campaigners say longer-term improvements for other station approaches remain an outstanding issue.