Published on: Monday, 19 November 2012
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
A Colchester-based partnership project between train operator Greater Anglia, Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council has triumphed at the National Cycle Rail Awards 2012.
The partnership won the ‘Best Station Travel Plan Measure for Cycling Award’ for their Colchester scheme.
The Colchester Station Travel Plan, one of 24 pilot schemes nationwide, delivered an improved emphasis on cycling at the station, with customer benefits including: new cycle stands, increasing cycle parking capacity at Colchester station by 50% to 414 spaces, improvements to cycle routes into the station, as well as awareness campaigns and events. As a result, at least 50% more people now use bikes to travel to the station. The work hasn’t stopped there and the partners have plans to increase cycle parking at Colchester station even more in the future.
Ruud Haket Greater Anglia’s Managing Director said “Together with our partners at Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council, we are committed to encouraging more people to cycle to the station, to improve cycle parking and to enhance the station interchange facilities with other modes of transport. We are very pleased that our efforts have been recognised with this award and we look forward to working with our partners on further projects in the future.”
In presenting the award the judges recognised the sheer scope of the improvements to a range of sustainable access modes, made as part of the Colchester Station Travel Plan, and the immense contribution made by the partners in working together successfully to bring about innovative solutions to the various transport options in getting to the station.
Some of the comments made by the judges in recognising the partnership’s achievements included:
“When awarding the best station travel plan, the judges felt Colchester demonstrated an excellent link to wider transport needs and the local community. Evidence of success is extremely strong and will set the blueprint for successful cycle-rail schemes across the Greater Anglia network and beyond.”
Councillor Derrick Louis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, said: “I am delighted that the excellent partnership working behind the Colchester Station Travel Plan has received further national recognition. Essex County Council is committed to providing sustainable transport options for the residents of Essex and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners on this project.”
Cllr Lyn Barton, portfolio holder for Renaissance said, “It is great to win this award for Colchester as it represents the strong partnership we have with Greater Anglia and Essex County Council to deliver on Travel Change Behaviour. The officers have worked on delivering new cycling facilities and promoting their use. I look forward to continuing this partnership and hope to see investment in more initiatives in the future.”
Greater Anglia was also highly commended in the ‘Operator of the Year’ and the ‘Best Customer Service’ categories at the National Cycle Rail Awards 2012.