Greater Anglia has received funding to allow for a new secure cycle parking facility for Bury St. Edmunds railway station.
The new cycle hub will provide 64 spaces and is set to be installed during Spring 2022 thanks to the funding of £153k via Sustrans in partnership with Suffolk County Council.
The hub will be positioned on the north side of the station, which will be close to a new accessible entrance alongside new car parking facilities.
An increase in demand for cycle parking is anticipated at the station due to improvements being carried out to the local cycle network, connectivity to local schools and colleges alongside the West Suffolk Hospital redevelopment.
A mix of covered and open access cycle parking spaces alongside secure cycle storage in a double-tier bike rack will be available at the new cycle hub, with improvements to lighting being carried out alongside the installation of CCTV.
Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia director of asset management, said:
“We're pleased to have received this funding from Sustrans, Suffolk County Council and the Department for Transport to improve cycle parking facilities at Bury St Edmunds station.
“We hope that investment in integrated transport facilities like this will encourage more eco-friendly journeys and help people lead healthier lifestyles.”
Councillor Alexander Nicoll, deputy cabinet member for Transport Strategy at Suffolk County Council, said: “This joint funding of cycle parking with Sustrans and Greater Anglia at Bury St Edmunds station will provide a significant uplift in secure and covered cycle parking for people.
“This is necessary if we are to encourage and enable people to use low carbon modes of transport for their travel and it helps to fulfil Suffolk County Council's commitment to tackling climate change.
“Suffolk County Council will continue to work with partners to improve facilities for cycling across the county. This is important to improve connectivity and give people wider transport choice.”
A spokesperson for Sustrans said:
“Combining cycling and rail is a great way to make travel healthier and more sustainable – the train is quick and efficient over longer distances and cycling makes it easy to get between the station and your home, workplace, college etc. Sustrans is really pleased to be managing the Cycle Rail Programme on behalf of the Department for Transport and looks forward to seeing the new facility at Bury St Edmunds welcoming users when complete.”
The funding comes as part of a £3m package of funding from Active Travel England which is the Government's new cycling and walking executive agency whose focus is to improve the cycling infrastructure around train stations throughout the country.
CyclePoint at Cambridge station is also going to see funding of more than £500k to put in place improvements in security, signage and accessibility.
