Cyclist slams rail staff who cut off her bike lock outside Islington station

A cyclist was left incensed after Overground staff cut through the lock on her bike and left it unsecured at the side of the road.

Mary Bonett, 29, returned to Caledonian Road and Barnsbury station after work to find her �300 bike lying against the wall and the expensive lock missing.

Staff informed her that it had been removed in the morning as it had been “illegally” left in the station – despite there being no signage to indicate that this was so.

Ms Bonett said: “There was definitely no indication that the station staff would remove the bike if I left it there and I was disgusted to find that they had left it unlocked.”

She added: “It was just fortunate that no one had taken the bike, but I am still not happy about my expensive bike lock being cut and would like some form of compensation for it.”

A Transport for London spokesman said: “This bike was locked to the railings on an access path and had fallen over and was causing a safety hazard. As such it had to be moved immediately and we were left with little choice but to cut the lock. The bike was moved to a spot beside the booking office were staff could keep an eye on it and it was monitored by CCTV.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused but could see no other timely solution to the situation. Safe and secure access to our stations must be our priority.

“We have not yet received a request for compensation from the passenger concerned but will consider it with due regard to all the circumstances.”