Helped by a grant from Greater Anglia’s community fund, four new secure cycle storage lockers have been installed at Colchester Town railway station.

The lockers were installed by Spokesafe in partnership with Colchester City Council, and provide a safer and more convenient option for passengers who cycle to the station, as well as those who use the town centre.

Greater Anglia provided a £20,000 grant from its Customer and Community Improvement Fund that supports projects which is designed to enhance community benefits and strengthen the railway’s role in society.

Lockers can be booked via Spokesafe’s mobile app, which also controls access to the lockers and their opening and closing.

Maintenance of the lockers will be undertaken by Spokesafe, which provides 24/7 customer support.

As well as the secure cycle lockers, Greater Anglia’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund has contributed to new signage and artwork that show the way from Colchester Station to the Colchester General Hospital.

These are just two of a range of projects benefitting from £350,000 that the fund gave in 2024/2025 to a wide range of businesses and organisations to improve local communities around its network.

Scott Dolling, Greater Anglia’s Partnership Manager commented that the cycle storage at Colchester Town railway station will not only help to provide greater security for cyclists, but it will help to encourage more people to travel more sustainably by bike and public transport to help reduce congestion on the roads and improve the quality of the air we breathe.

An increasing number of stations throughout the country are having cycle hubs installed, from Inverness in Scotland to Salisbury in the south of England.

“Encouraging more people to cycle is a key part of our sustainability goals, and providing secure storage at Colchester Town station makes cycling a more viable option for commuters as well as those visiting the city centre. We re delighted to work with Spokesafe and Greater Anglia to offer a facility that promotes active travel while keeping bikes safe.”

Cllr Andrea Luxford Vaughan, Portfolio Holder for Environment, Planning, and Sustainability at Colchester City Council