Train firm and Council promote sustainable travel with bike parking partnership

Environmentally conscious commuters choosing the sustainable bike-and-train transport combination can now use a new cycle parking hub at Kenley station.

Rail passengers using pedal power to get to the station can apply at the ticket office for a free security fob to gain entrance to the facility.

Just completed but already proving popular, the hub has a 16-space two-tier parking rack and space for up to four cargo or adapted bicycles. Bikes are protected by the fob entry system and CCTV, though cyclists are advised to use locks on their machines for maximum security.

The steel-framed, timber-clad structure, designed to stand next to the Grade II Listed Victorian station building, also houses a repair stand and a pump for tyres.

Helped by a cycle parking grant from Transport for London, Southern Railway funded the project and have worked with Croydon Borough Council to design and build the facility in just over a year.

The hub was originally a Council initiative, proposed through its ‘Connecting Kenley’ programme, a response to strong local support for a coordinated approach to transport planning. Recognising the importance of the station for local commuters and the need to improve facilities to encourage cycle use, the Council approached Southern in March last year to explore how those improvements could be achieved.

Southern’s financial contribution was from its annual programme of ‘Small Station Improvements’, which this year has completed projects at 20 stations including improved wheelchair access, new customer information screens and better lighting.

Southern's Head of Stations Stephen MacCallaugh said: “The new bike hub is going to make a real difference to our customers who cycle to the station to complete their sustainable journey on one of our electric trains, and we hope it encourages more commuters to use this travel combination. It has been very rewarding to work with the Council to make the station an even more valuable asset for Kenley, and to see how welcome the facility is with the local community.

“It’s the latest of its kind that our parent company Govia Thameslink Railway has opened, following the introduction of similar facilities at Denmark Hill, Harpenden and Luton over the past few weeks.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon said: "The new cycle hub looks fantastic, and it will make it easier for people to cycle to Kenley station. We're glad to have worked with our partners to get this done, encouraging more people to cycle and improving the local environment.

“This is part of the council’s wider Connected Kenley plans to make it easier, safer and healthier to move around the area.”

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