Santander Cycles down due to software upgrades

Transport for London has said the disruption is caused by planned software updates overrunning

More than 12,000 Santander Cycles across the capital are out of service due to an IT issue, Transport for London (TfL) has said.

Planned software upgrades had overrun and left users are unable to hire the bikes and e-bikes via the Santander Cycles app or docking stations on Tuesday morning.

One commuter Aodh Ó Daighre told BBC London he unsuccessfully visited four different stations in an attempt to hire a bike.

TfL apologised for the disruption and said they are working to "restore services as soon as possible".

Mr Ó Daighre added: "I got to my usual station and tried to release a bike with my fob, which wouldn't work, so I tried to log into the app, which also wasn't working.

"I walked further onto the next station and also tried to use the screen on the terminal but it said that no bikes were available at the station.

"[This was] particularly annoying as all the stations were over 80% full."