Bedford and Kempston MP Mohammad Yasin has opened Thameslink’s new cycle parking hub at Bedford station.
With two-tier storage for up to 322 bikes, and seven charging bays for electric bikes, the hub is covered by CCTV, and has free access using a keyfob available from the ticket office.
Mr Yasin said: ”I was delighted to open the new cycle hub at Bedford station. It is more important than ever to increase the use of more sustainable methods of transport and the hub aims to provide a safe place for cyclists to park their bikes at the station alongside charging points for electric bikes.”
Jenny Saunders, Customer Service Director for Thameslink and Great Northern, said: “We’re delighted to open this great new facility for our Bedford passengers. We hope that offering a more secure place to lock up your bike, as well as electric bike charging facilities, will encourage more passengers to cycle to the station.
“Travelling by train and bike is the most environmentally-friendly transport combination, and we’re working with local communities to make our stations even more sustainable.”
The hub has been funded by the Department for Transport’s cycle rail fund, being managed by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans, with further funding from Bedford Borough Council. The government fund aims to improve cycling facilities at stations, promote economic growth, improve journeys, and encourage environmentally-friendly transport to cut carbon. Encouraging bike journeys to stations is also high on the agenda, as a way of encouraging people to get out and enjoy ‘active travel’ as part of their journeys.
Andy Buckley of Beds & Herts Community Rail Partnership said: “We welcome an increase in security for cycle users and we hope the new compound will encourage more people to cycle to the station rather than use their cars, with all the benefits – both personal and environmental – that this attracts.”
0113 2082620
info@railbusinessdaily.com
15 Mariner Court, Wakefield WF4 3FL
