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Tuesday 1 Jun 2010

PASSENGERS SEE DOUBLE AT WATERLOO STATION

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

New Transport Minister Norman Baker opened new bike racks at Waterloo station today - more than doubling the number of cycle parking spaces and making it easier for passengers to cycle to and from the station. 

The enhanced, double-decker cycle storage facilities have increased the number of spaces at Britain’s busiest station from 212 to 534.  This latest £200,000 Government investment follows similar schemes at Liverpool Street and Euston, and takes the number of new cycle spaces provided at major London terminus stations to over 500 within the last year.

Transport Minister Norman Baker said: "It's vitally important we make the beginning and end of people's journeys as simple as possible - that's the couple of miles from home to train.

"More and more commuters are wanting to cycle to the station which is why expansion of cycling facilities, like this Government funded project at Waterloo, are so important.

"And of course better cycling facilities at stations not only helps tackle congestion and promote rail travel but will also help people develop healthier lifestyles and protect the environment."

Mike Goggin, Network Rail’s director of stations and customer services, said: “The new bike racks at Waterloo are safe, secure and easy to use.  These new facilities will help more of those choosing to cycle to and from the station to do so more easily, which in turn will help reduce demand on the tubes and buses. 

“As the number of passengers using the railway continues to grow and cycling remains popular, we have put in place a substantial programme to improve cycling facilities in London, including the creation of cycle hubs at the Capital’s two busiest stations.  We will continue to look for ways to make it easier for passengers to combine environmentally-friendly forms of transport, which will help relieve congestion on the roads and on other forms of public transport.”

To mark the opening of the new facilities, the British Transport Police (BTP) held a free surgery to give cyclists advice on how to cycle in London safely and keep their bikes safe.  People also had the opportunity to have their bikes tagged to help identify them in the event that they are lost or stolen.

The new cycling facilities at Waterloo are located outside the entrance in the centre of the main concourse (next to Costa coffee), providing quick and easy access between the station and the existing cycle path.  Three CCTV cameras and floodlights have been installed to provide better safety and security for passengers and cyclists.  Existing cycle parking facilities on the platforms will remain.

The new cycle parking facilities are the first phase of the planned creation of a cycle hub at Waterloo.  Plans for the second and third phases of the work are being developed.

Phillip Darnton, chairman of Cycling England, commented: “Not all commuters can cycle all the way to work, but many might be able to travel part of the way by bike. There is a huge, untapped potential across the rail network to convert existing passengers, or attract new customers to cycling to the station.

“As part of a bigger initiative to transform facilities for cyclists at rail stations, we are working with the Network Rail and the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) on a series of projects around the country to encourage more cycling to stations. The improved facilities at Waterloo are a great example of what can be achieved. We hope to see more stations throughout the country follow their lead to help to encourage more people to opt for ‘bike and ride’.”

Chief Inspector Richard Douce, British Transport Police, added: “We will continue to work closely with Network Rail and train operating companies to proactively tackle cycle crime.

“BTP officers regularly conduct cycle crime awareness surgeries, such as the one held at Waterloo, to offer passengers crime prevention advice.  As part of these initiatives our officers fit coded cycle labels that are numbered and linked to a national database, allowing us to reunite stolen bikes with their owners when recovered.  We would also ask members of the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity near cycle racks to a member of rail staff or police.”