The improved secure cycle parking hub was opened by Daisy Cooper, MP for St Albans and is hoped will promote greener travel in the area.

St. Albans station now features storage for up to 415 bikes in a fenced off site which can only be accessed using a fob which customers can register for, for free at the ticket office. The facility also has increased CCTV coverage to support security.

The opening saw Ms Cooper attend alongside Thameslink station manager Harsitt Chandak, ward councillor Jacquie Taylor and representatives of St Albans Cycling Campaign, Sustrans, Bedford & Herts Community Rail Partnership, Hertfordshire County Council and British Transport Police, who have supported the installation of the cycle hub.

Key fob required: Dasiy Cooper MP (centre, yellow jacket) opens St Albans’ cycle hub flanked by Station Manager Harsitt Chandak (right) and ward councillor Jacqui Taylor // Credit: Andy Buckley

Ms Cooper said:

“I was delighted to open the new cycle hub at St Alban’s station. We must do all we can to encourage people to change the way they travel to more sustainable modes such as cycling, walking and using the bus. This new hub will give people greater reassurance that their bikes will be safer at the station.”

CCTV installed at the St Albans cycle hub // Credit: Andy Buckley

St Albans Station Manager Harsitt Chandak said:

“As we emerge from the pandemic and people start travelling again, we want to help them choose the greenest options, by taking the train and getting to our stations sustainably.

“Jointly, by making small but important changes such as this at St Albans, we can together with our passengers and local communities make a real difference for our planet and the generations to come.”

St Albans cycle hub sign // Credit: Andy Buckley

Funded by the Department for Transport’s Cycle Rail Fund, the hub will be managed by Sustrans who are a sustainable transport charity with further funding to be provided by Hertfordshire County Council.

The Government investment comes as a bid to improve cycling facilities at stations and will also aid economic growth and improvements in journeys whilst encouraging an environmentally-friendly transport option in order to cut carbon. Promoting cycle journeys to stations is a key approach in encouraging people to get out and enjoy ‘active travel’ as part of their journeys.