Extensive new bike storage facilities have been confirmed for cyclists using Manchester Piccadilly railway station in the city centre, the M.E.N. can reveal. Rail bosses said a total of 162 new storage spaces would be created at the station across four separate locations.
It marks a huge increase of more than 100 available bike parking stores to what was in place at Piccadilly. All the old cycling storage facilities have know been ripped out.
The project has been funded by a grant from the national walking and cycling charity Sustrans, revealed train operating company Avanti.
Nick Smith, regional growth manager at Avanti West Coast, told a recent meeting of the Greater Manchester Transport Committee: "Members might have seen that cycling storage has been removed from Piccadilly station, outside the station. We have got some funding through Sustrans to install 162 storage spaces at Manchester Piccadilly across four locations.
"We are just waiting for final risk assessments and method statements to be confirmed and then we will be on site to install those.
"It will be an increase in around 118 spaces over what was there previously." Further details on the exact locations and installation dates have yet to be confirmed.
David Hibbs, programme manager for cycle rail grants at Sustrans, said: "Trains provide environmentally friendly longer distance travel - but they can't get you to your front door. By combining cycling and rail transport people can add the speed of trains to the convenience of cycling, and make healthier travel choices.
"Avanti was awarded a grant to increase the quantity and quality of cycle parking at Piccadilly to make it more attractive to leave your cycle at the station when catching the train. This project is part of an England-wide programme which has already seen new cycle parking installed elsewhere in the area, including at Manchester Central Station where the grant was awarded to the Northern train operator."
It comes as Transport for Greater Manchester confirmed £1m is being spent on new and improved cycle storage at stops across Metrolink's Bury line.
High quality cycle parking, including covered Sheffield stands with lighting and CCTV in highly visible and accessible locations, will be installed at eight stops as part of the project, making it easier and safer for people to scoot or cycle to and from their local tram stop.
The £1.2m scheme is being funded through the Mayor's Challenge Fund (MCF) which is supporting the delivery of cycling, walking and wheeling infrastructure within the Bee Network.
The new cycle storage facilities will be installed at Radcliffe, Besses o’ the’ Barn, Prestwich, Heaton Park, Bowker Vale, Crumpsall, Abraham Moss and Queens Road Metrolink stops. The stops have been prioritised as they are among the oldest on the Metrolink network. All the sites are expected to be fully upgraded by mid-May 2023.
Dame Sarah Storey, Active Travel Commissioner for Greater Manchester, said: “I know from my own experience how hard it is to plan a journey that includes cycling to the station, when there is nowhere safe to leave your bike. Building these cycle parking facilities at local Metrolink stops, where there is currently no suitable provision for leaving a bike, will give an additional choice to local people who don't live within an easy walk of their local station.
"I hope after completion, they are well used and enable more people to utilise the Bury line of Metrolink."
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