As part of a £6.8 million investment, rail passengers using Canterbury West station will soon benefit from improved cycle parking facilities.
The investment was given by the Government to fund extra bike spaces at railway stations across the country and incorporate cycling into their journey.
The scheme is to be delivered by Southeastern, and as part of it, 96 existing spaces will be removed and replaced entirely with a secure hub with two-tier racks for 196 spaces.
This doubles the capacity and massively improving cycle security. The facility will include a cycle repair stand, pump, and extra lighting, constantly monitored by CCTV.
With £74,000 coming from the Department for Transport, from the total of £104,000 that will be spent, the other £30,000 has been provided by Canterbury City Council.
The scheme at Canterbury West complements recent investment by Canterbury City Council with a new multi-storey car park adjacent to the station, which is set to open in 2020.
The latest round of funding from the Cycle Rail Programme is to install 2,300 spaces at 48 stations across England, This will enable commuters to cycle directly to the station and lock their bike securely.
The programme has now been backed by more than £40 million from the Department for Transport, tripling the number of cycle parking spaces at more than 500 stations and taking the total to some 80,000.
It is part of a Government initiative that ensures people are more aware of their transport choices, and that commuter journeys are as sustainable as possible.
What did the officials have to say?
David Wornham, Passenger Services Director for Canterbury West, said:
“The opportunity to use a sustainable transport mode to get to and from the station is very important to our passengers, who not only want to be reassured that their bike has a space available, but that it will be safe and secure while they undertake their journeys, and that other facilities will be on hand to maintain and repair their bike when they need it.
“I’m delighted for both our passengers and our partners at Canterbury City Council that Southeastern’s bid for these funds from the Government has been successful.”
Chairman of Canterbury City Council’s Regeneration and Property Committee, Cllr Rachel Carnac, said:
“This doubling of the number of secure cycle spaces at Canterbury West is great news for passengers and cyclists. Improving these facilities is a key part of our plans to create an integrated transport hub in Station Road West, which we know a lot of local residents support.
“More people would leave the car at home and cycle to the station if they know they will have a guaranteed place to leave their bike and it’s still going to be there when they get back. This project solves both of these concerns, so it could be the difference needed to change behaviour.
“As well as being good for health, cycling also has an important role to play in improving air quality and increasing the number of people who travel on two wheels is a priority for us.”
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