Wheely good news as Southeastern opens six new secure cycle hubs across Kent to encourage greener travel

All-electric train operator encourages active and sustainable travel with a raft of new bike hub openings
Secure key-fob entry facilities for customers at Birchington-on-Sea, Folkestone Central, Dover Priory, Marden, Walmer and Westgate-on-Sea
Lower fees for all new hubs and now just £5 for a 3-month subscription at Birchington-on-Sea, Marden, Walmer and Westgate-on-Sea

As part of the drive to encourage more people to cycle to and from their local train stations, Southeastern has opened a raft of new cycle hubs.

Customers who use the railway stations at Birchington-on-Sea, Folkestone Central, Dover Priory, Marden, Walmer and Westgate-on-Sea now have modern, secure facilities to store their bikes.

For added security there is a key-fob entry system and all the hubs have additional CCTV. There are also charging points for electric bikes, plus cycle pumps and repair stands.

Making rail stations more accessible and affordable to cycle passengers is a key aim of Southeastern, and a lower price structure has been put in place for customers who want to store bikes at these newly opened hubs.

People living in Walmer for example can now get a 12-month subscription for just £15. (Currently £50 at existing hubs, though these prices are set to be reduced also). A six-month subscription costs £8 and it’s only £5 for three months.

Southeastern’s General Manager South, Mark Borny, said:

“As an all-electric train operator we truly believe in greener travel. We want people to leave their cars behind and give cycling to our stations a go. It’s much healthier and helps to reduce harmful emissions.

“We already have 21 secure cycle hubs across our network and opening six new hubs this summer really underlines our commitment to active travel.

“We’ve also brought down our prices as we know people are feeling the pinch.”

Kent County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Neil Baker, said:

“We know that having a safe and secure area to store your bicycle has immense benefits, giving that extra peace of mind and making public transport more attractive.

“By providing part of the funding to install these facilities, we are furthering our ambition to encourage people to make more sustainable choices when considering how they move around our county and beyond.”

David Hibbs, Cycle Rail Programme Manager at Sustrans which manages the Cycle Rail Grant Programme 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."

Contact information

Southeastern Press Office

0330 095 9091

press.office@southeasternrailway.co.uk

Notes to editors

Southeastern cycles page: https://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/on-board/cycles

Facilities at each cycle hub

Birchington-on-Sea: Secure space is available for 30 bikes and there is a cycle pump plus a repair stand.  Two sockets have been installed for electric bike charging and there is CCTV for added security. 10 other cycle storage places have also been relocated to a new area adjacent to the secure cycle hub, and also benefit from additional CCTV and movement activated lighting. 
Dover Priory: Secure space is available for 40 bikes and there is a cycle pump plus a repair stand. Two sockets have been installed for electric bike charging and there is CCTV for added security,
Folkestone Central: The former Red Star Parcels site next door to the ticket office has been converted into a key-fob entry space for 59 cycles. The facility also has CCTV, charging sockets, a cycle pump, and a repair stand.
Marden: Secure space is available for 42 bikes and there is a cycle pump plus a repair stand.  Two sockets have been installed for electric bike charging and there is CCTV for added security.  5 former dilapidated cycle lockers have also been decommissioned under the scheme and replaced by 10 new covered bike spaces adjacent to the new secure hub.  This scheme was delivered in partnership with Maidstone Borough Council.
Walmer: An unused part of the station has been brought back to life, and it now has space for 24 bikes. There are charging points, enhanced lighting, and new CCTV cameras.
Westgate on Sea: A new facility with space for 12 bikes + two charging points for electric bikes. There is also a cycle pump and a repair stand. The hub has secure key-fob entry and is covered by three CCTV cameras.

New hub fee structure

Duration	Tier1 Station	Tier2 Station	Tier3 Station
3 Months	£15	£10	£5
6 Months	£25	£15	£8
12 Months	£40	£25	£15

New hub tiers

Tier 2: Folkestone Central, Dover Priory and Margate (Margate opening mid-September)

Tier 3: Birchington-on-Sea, Marden, Walmer and Westgate-on-Sea

Customer access to cycle hubs

Access to the secure cycle hubs is arranged by registering at the station ticket office. For a small subscription fee, the ticket office will issue a personalised programmed key fob for entry to the facility.  Access for the public is not possible without the subscription.

The key fob will allow access for the length of time purchased and will deactivate upon expiry. Entry fobs can be re-enabled by visiting the ticket office and renewing the membership.

Contact information

Southeastern Press Office
0330 095 9091

press.office@southeasternrailway.co.uk
www.southeasternrailway.co.uk  

About Southeastern

SOUTHEASTERN is owned by SE Trains Ltd, a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s public sector owning group, ‘DOHL’. DOHL has responsibility for four rail companies, LNER, Northern Trains Limited, TransPennine Trains Limited and SE Trains.

Southeastern is the trading name of SE TRAINS LIMITED. Registered in England under company 03266762. Registered office address: Second Floor, 4 More London Riverside, London SE1 2AU.

SE Trains Limited is a subsidiary of the Department for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort Limited - ‘DOHL’.