Commuting by bike is set to become easier in 2019 as new
facilities are set up at stations across the country.
In the latest in a series of funding boosts, £1.6 million of
government investment will help people make cycling a seamless
part of their daily journey, Cycling and Walking Minister
announced today, 29 December.
The Cycle Rail Programme – which has already been backed by
almost £36 million from the DfT – is allowing cyclists to make
their journeys to work as joined up and sustainable as possible.
Now this further funding will extend the benefits, enabling more
people to cycle directly to their station and lock up their bike
securely.
Cycling and Walking Minister said:
“Improving cycling access to railway stations is good for
cyclists and good for rail users, whether they’re commuters or
tourists — and it has terrific knock-on benefits, by improving
air quality, reducing obesity and increasing economic
productivity.
“That’s the purpose of the Government’s Cycle Rail Programme.
Some £36 million has been invested to date, and I’m delighted we
can now raise this by another £1.6 million.”
The programme has already improved access to stations for
cyclists through a number of initiatives, including cycle hire
schemes, brand new footpaths and safe and secure cycle parking.
It has also led to considerable improvements to infrastructure
for cyclists in and around railway stations – for example a new
cycle path in Buckinghamshire, which links Aylesbury Station and
the National Trust’s Waddesdon Manor.
And there are already more than 75,000 new cycle parking spaces
at over 500 stations across the country, including the creation
of Dutch-style cycle parking hubs at major centres - for example,
over 1100 spaces in St Albans and almost 3000 spaces at Cambridge
station.
The funding is available to Train Operating Companies and the
Department for Transport will be writing to them in the near
future to outline the application process.
Commenting on behalf of the Walking and Cycling Alliance, Xavier
Brice, CEO of Sustrans, said:
“Everyone should be able to easily access their railway station
by bicycle or on foot. This helps people make a healthy start to
their journey while reducing local road congestion and car
emissions.
“The increased funding is very much welcome as it will help
integrate more train journeys with cycling by improving cycle
parking and contributing to safe routes for all to use.”
The programme is in support of a 2017 manifesto commitment to
upgrade facilities for cyclists at railway stations. It is just
one of a number of ongoing government measures designed to
encourage safe cycling and walking among all age groups.
This includes the announcement last month of a number of
ground-breaking road safety initiatives as part of the
Government’s new two year action plan to improve cycling and
walking safety.
The £1.6m in funding will top up the £4.08m that has already been
made available for the programme in this financial year.
