Published on: Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Last updated: Wednesday, 28 October 2020
Greater Anglia is improving cycle parking at four stations – including building a secure cycle compound at Cambridge North, following customer feedback.
A total of 75 extra cycle spaces are being installed at Cheshunt, Rye House and Ipswich station.
These projects have been made possible by funding from the Cycle Rail Programme from Sustrans and the Department for Transport.
There are additional financial contributions from Cambridgeshire County Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Suffolk County Council.
In response to cycle user feedback, Greater Anglia is creating a secure compound at Cambridge North to improve the security of cycle parking at the station.
The existing cycle parking area will be part fenced and fitted with new CCTV cameras. The company will also install additional double tier cycle racks. Cambridgeshire County Council is contributing to this project.
Twenty-five new cycle spaces – including a double tiered parking rack – will be installed at Ipswich. Suffolk County Council is contributing to the project.
Hertfordshire County Council is contributing to two schemes to encourage people to cycle to stations.
Twenty-five extra cycle parking spaces will be created at Cheshunt, while 25 spaces will also be installed at Rye House, to compliment the construction of a new passenger waiting room.
The works to design the additional facilities will start soon and the projects are to due to be completed by the end of March 2021.
Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director, said: "We are committed to supporting green transport and environmental initiatives across our region.
"More people are choosing to live in our region and travel by train, we are seeing increasing numbers of people cycling to stations so we’re keen to expand our cycling facilities, especially as it helps people to minimise their carbon footprint for the entire length of their journeys. Since the start of lockdown, the number of people cycling in our region has soared, and the new facilities will help welcome people back to the railway.
"We would like to thank Sustrans, Department for Transport, Cambridge County Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Suffolk County Council for making these projects possible."
Cllr Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs, said: "We want more people to choose to make cycling a part of their sustainable journey, and cycling to your nearest station and catching a train to work is a great way to keep healthy, reduce emissions and help make Suffolk a more pleasant place to live.
"We know if we get more people cycling then we need to ensure there are enough places for them to safely store their bikes at the start and end of a journey. I am pleased Suffolk County Council has been able to help fund the cycle parking at Ipswich as well as at other train stations throughout the county."
Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Highways and Transport Committee, Councillor Ian Bates said: "We are committed to making improvements across the area to help more people than ever choose to travel actively and sustainably, wherever possible.
"We hope that the new CCTV coverage of the cycle parking area at Cambridge North will offer reassurance to current cycle commuters and encourage others considering cycling to the station."
Derrick Ashley, Cabinet Member for Growth, Infrastructure, Planning and the Environment at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "We’re pleased that Greater Anglia is supporting the policies in our Local Transport Plan with these upgrades. We want to make cycling a more attractive and practical option for commuters, and we hope that this extra cycle parking will encourage more people to leave their cars at home and choose the more healthy and sustainable option for getting to the station."