All-electric train operator Southeastern is encouraging active and sustainable travel with another secure cycle hub opening at Margate station.
The hub has 38 spaces and access is gained through a key fob entry system.
Full CCTV coverage has been installed for added security and there are charging points for electric bikes, a cycle pump and a repair stand.
Making rail stations more accessible and affordable for passengers is a key aim of Southeastern, and a lower price structure has been set for all seven new hubs that have opened in recent weeks.
A 12-month subscription for the Margate hub costs just £25, or it’s £15 for a six-month subscription. For three months access the fee is only £10.
Southeastern’s General Manager South, Mark Borny, said:
“It’s great to see another new hub opening at Margate, and we now have 28 secure cycle hubs at stations across our network.
“As an all-electric train operator we are always looking to highlight the environmental benefits of green, car-free travel.
“It’s much healthier to walk or cycle to our stations and I really hope the local community in Margate will take advantage of this fantastic new facility.”
The hub was funded by a £58,000 grant from the Department for Transport, managed by Sustrans, and a £6,500 grant from Kent County Council.
Welcoming the new hub, David Hibbs, Cycle Rail Programme Manager at Sustrans said:
"Combining cycling and rail is a great way to make your journey more sustainable and healthier. The new cycle hubs, jointly funded by the Government’s Cycle Rail Programme, provide value for money and make cycling to and from the station an even more attractive option."
Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, said:
“By helping to fund secure cycle hubs we hope more people will be encouraged to explore more sustainable ways to travel.
“Our aim is to make it easier for people to choose walking, wheeling and cycling over getting in their car and I am pleased we have been able to partly fund the Margate cycle hub to support this aim.”
The addition of a cycle hub at Margate follows a major refurbishment project that brought back many of the original features. In the art deco style coffee shop the suspended ceiling was removed and expertly restored in traditional Southern Railway colours to complement the restored booking hall.
This work was jointly funded by the Railway Heritage Trust and Network Rail.
The platforms and subway were also given a fresh coat of paint in the traditional Southeastern blue.
The station was looking resplendent as it enjoyed an extremely busy summer, with 516,000 journeys recorded between late May and early September. That was up from 466,000 journeys over the same period in 2022.
