Southeastern has opened a new secure cycle hub at Swanley station to make sustainable travel easier.
The facility has space for up to 56 bikes on two-tier racks, as well as electric charging points, a tyre pump, and a cycle repair stand.
It's fitted with CCTV and a key fob entry system for added security. There is also environmentally friendly motion-sensor LED lighting.
Customers using Swanley have already benefitted from a number of upgrades in recent years, including an extended station entrance and improved waiting rooms and toilets.
Graham Mollison, Southeastern’s Head of Sustainability, said:
“Part of our mission at Southeastern is to become a more sustainable railway and we want to make it easier for our customers to cycle to our stations.
"Electric train travel is already one of the most environmentally friendly modes of transport and, although we provide more than 1,800 trains per day, we account for less than one percent of all transport emissions in Kent.
"This is the 29th cycle hub we've opened across the Southeastern network. They have received positive feedback and I'm pleased that we are now able to offer this service to more of our customers."
The project was completed with support from Kent County Council, Sevenoaks District Council, the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, HM Government and Network Rail.
KCC Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Cllr Neil Baker, said:
“I am pleased to see that Kent County Council’s support means Swanley station has opened a new secure cycle hub, helping to make sustainable travel easier, and delivering the best experience for the travelling public.
“We are committed to investing in sustainable travel and ensuring that public transport options are accessible to all.”
Cllr Julia Thornton, Sevenoaks District Council’s Leader, says:
“We’re excited Swanley Rail Station has a new cycle hub, encouraging more people to use green transport in the town, and we’re delighted to have contributed developer funding towards this new environmentally-friendly facility.
“As part of our work to help tackle climate change, we are committed to supporting our communities to get around by bike, as well as on foot, where possible. We’re currently developing several exciting cycle schemes across the Sevenoaks District, so these cycle improvements at the rail station will complement our work.”
The cycle hub is part of a £687k package to improve facilitates for cyclists at eight Southeastern stations.
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