New bike hub for Newbury station customers
Train operator GWR has opened a new bicycle hub at Newbury station capable of housing 230 bikes, with capacity for another 100 due by the end of the year.
The £1.2million facilities funded with the support of the Department for Transport and the Local Enterprise Partnership, will increase bike parking at the station by over 300%, significantly improving access once travel restrictions are eased.
The new cycle hub on Platform 1 will provide 180 new spaces in two-tier racks, with additional cycle stands adjacent to the pavement providing a further 50 spaces. The cycle hub is fitted with CCTV for added security; environmentally friendly motion-sensor LED lighting and a bike repair stand.
A second cycle hub is proposed for Platform 2, providing an extra 176 spaces, and is due to be available to station users towards the end of the year – providing a total of more than 300 extra bike spaces.
GWR Station Manager for Newbury Kevin King said:
“We know that more people are now walking and cycling to our station and this is likely to continue in future. As more people have the confidence to return to rail travel it is important that we provide the facilities they need at the station.
“We are delighted to have worked with our industry partners to get the new cycle storage in place. Newbury is an important station on our network and it is great to see investment being made here to support sustainable transport by bike and by train.”
It is hoped that the new facility will allow even more people to choose a sustainable way of getting to and from the station, reducing road traffic congestion in the area, and improving access to the full benefits that the railway has to offer.
Vice Chair of the Berkshire Local Transport Body and Board Director at Thames Valley Berkshire LEP Bob Mountain said:
“Over and above this investment at Newbury, the LEP has allocated almost £5m directly to other cycle schemes across Berkshire. And approximately 50% of all LEP infrastructure funding goes to sustainable projects – rail and bus, supporting modal shift away from car usage. And we will continue to invest in business solutions that move the UK towards net zero carbon emissions.”
With the Government’s present advice restricting travel, GWR is operating a reduced timetable. Customers should follow Government guidelines, people should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times. Find out more at gwr.com/safety.
The train operator has been providing rail services throughout the pandemic and has worked to ensure these are as safe as possible. This includes increased cleaning regimes and the use of a virucidal spray; extra staff at key stations to offer help and guidance; and processes in place to help customers maintain a safe distance where possible, such as restricting the number of reservations available.
Notes to editors
Great Western Railway (GWR) provides high speed, commuter, regional and branch line train services. We help over 100 million passengers reach their destinations every year - across South Wales, the West Country, the Cotswolds, and large parts of Southern England.
We’re currently seeing the biggest investment in the network since Brunel so we can offer more trains, more seats, and shorter, more frequent journeys and continue the network’s heritage of helping connect more businesses to new and prosperous markets. Through a series of initiatives we aim to be a good neighbour to the communities we serve and are committed to making a positive social impact in those regions. Learn how we're Building a Greater West at GWR.com. GWR is a FirstGroup company.