A Lime bike outside Warren Street [Simon Lamrock]

HIRE bike firms have had to cough up a quarter of a million pounds in penalties to Camden Council.

The £250k figure was reported at Monday’s council meeting as ruling Labour councillors insisted the Town Hall was not a soft touch on dumped bikes.

Lime, the firm which allows users to hop on green and white bikes and scooters via an app, has been under fire for months over how some vehicles are left in overflowing bays or blocking pavements.

The council wants to work with the company, which it sees as providing a popular and greener transport option, but began impounding bikes last year.

Environment chief Councillor Adam Harrison told Monday’s meeting: “It’s a great achievement but we know we do need to go further on improving parking compliance and changing user behaviour, working with the companies and influencing the riders themselves.”

He added that he thought a London-wide series of rules was needed for hire bike services.