Stagecoach : New cycle hub opens at Sheffield station

04 Jul 2014

I• £850,000 investment to deliver state of the art cycle hub

• More than 400 cycle parking spaces now available

• New cycle shop and cycle hire opened 

• Hub includes changing rooms and toilets

Cyclists using Sheffield train station will now have access to state of the art cycling facilities following the completion of a £850,000 scheme to deliver a bespoke cycling hub. 

Baroness Susan Kramer, the Minister of State for Transport, officially opened the new cycle hub today (Friday 4th July) along with David Horne, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, and Phillip Darnton, Chair of the Cycle Rail Working Group.

The hub, delivered through funding awarded by both Network Rail and the Department for Transport and distributed via the Association of Train Operating Companies has delivered significantly improved facilities for cyclists using the station.

The new facility, situated on Platform adjacent to the taxi rank has:

· 415 cycles spaces 

· Male and female changing rooms 

· Extensive CCTV equipment

· Cycle shop and hire

· Secure 24hour electronic access

The project has included improvements to access to the station which include the introduction of a dedicated pick up and drop off area, a short stay car park and a dedicated taxi rank.  As well as improving access for customers this will improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians.

In addition, future work within the cycle hub will include installing a smartcard system to allow passengers to use a single card to store their train season ticket, local bus and tram tickets and access to the cycle hub.

Designed by William Saunders LLP and built by Hollywell Building Services, the project provides a much improved environment for cyclists using the station. With access to safe and secure storage.. With the introduction of the new cycle shop, Russell's Cycles, owners can also arrange to have their bikes serviced while they are at work. 

Baroness Susan Kramer, the Minister of State for Transport said, "When people take rail journeys they need to know how they will get to and from the station. 

"We are transforming cycling facilities at stations up and down the country to make it easier to choose the bike for the journey to the station. That is why we are providing £15m of new funding to help deliver this vision. 

"Used together, bike and rail can help cut carbon and congestion, delivering environmental and economic benefits. Sheffield's cycle hub is a great example of this principle in action, and I hope it provides an example for others to follow."

David Horne, Managing Director for East Midlands Trains, said: "Good cycle facilities are vital for people choosing to travel to the station by bike. With about 12 million people using Sheffield station every year, these facilities provide a welcome boost to people choosing to use this green, sustainable mode of transport to get to the station. With more than 300 train services departing from Sheffield every day, passengers can feel confident leaving their cycles knowing that they will be safe, secure and protected until they return." 

Phillip Darnton, Chair of the Cycle Rail Working Group said, "The Sheffield Hub is a great facility and East Midlands Trains and its project partners are to be congratulated on it. The project's funding from Network Rail and the Department for Transport, via the cross industry Cycle Rail Working Group, is part of a much wider investment programme that will more than double the number of station cycle parking spaces to nearly 70,000 by the end of 2015 and see more than 30 cycle hubs opened. The industry's drive to improve facilities for cycle-rail users across the country is one of the reasons why we are seeing a significant increase in the number of people cycling to and from the station."

The opening of the new hub takes investment in Sheffield station to over £4million since the start of the East Midlands Trains franchise, including new ticket machines, waiting facilities and shopping, with new passenger information screens to be installed later in the summer.

A similar Department for Transport funded cycle hub has also been completed at Leicester station, bringing into use a previously unused area. A third hub is in development at Nottingham station to complement the £60million investment at the station.  A smaller, fourth hub is being built at Derby station following a £200,000 grant from Network Rail.

ENDS

Pictured at the launch of the new Sheffield Train Station Cycle Hub from left are Phillip Darnton, Chair of the Cycle Rail Working Group, David Horne, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains and Baroness Susan Kramer, who officially unveiled the plaque marking the occasion. David Horne is sat on a 1930s Raleigh bicycle which was previously used by a midwife in Glossop.