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Thursday 20 Jan 2022

Cyclists urged to reclaim bikes left at Bristol Temple Meads station before they’re removed

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Network Rail is asking cyclists who have left their bicycles at Bristol Temple Meads for long periods of time without use to reclaim them by Friday 11 February, ahead of the annual bike cull.

Each year, Network Rail undertakes a cull exercise from the bike racks at Bristol Temple Meads, removing any abandoned bicycles to ensure there is adequate cycle storage for passengers who use the station.

Tags have been placed on all bicycles at the racks out the front of the station and at the Friary, advising owners that any bikes that have been left at the station for long periods of time will be removed by Friday 11 February. Any bikes found with the advisory tag still attached on 11 February will then be cut free from the bicycle racks and placed into storage.

The owners of any that are placed in storage will need to speak with a member of the station team before Sunday 20 March to reclaim the bicycle. Any bikes that are not reclaimed by this date will then be donated to charity.

Andy Phillips, Network Rail station manager, said: “Network Rail want to provide the best possible experience for passengers using the station and that means ensuring all of our bike spaces are available and not taken up by abandoned bikes, or those stored here for extended periods.

“Our station team will start to remove the long-abandoned bikes with notices still attached from Friday 11 February, so I encourage anyone that has left their bike at Bristol Temple Meads to pick it up before that date.”

Any bicycle owners who have any issues or concerns are encouraged to speak with a member of the station team who will be happy to help.

Cyclists who want to enhance the security of their bicycles are welcome to come along to the Temple Meads bike park at the Friary tomorrow (Friday 21 January), to have their bikes marked by the British Transport Police for free.

The security marking means that a bicycle’s rightful owner can be traced if the bicycle is stolen and then recovered by the police. Officers will also be on hand to offer advice about safe cycle storage and how to securely lock a bicycle.