Local cyclist commuters are benefitting from an extra 40 bike parking spaces at the front of Maidenhead train station thanks to a partnership arrangement between the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough and First Great Western.
The new cycle parking at the station – funded by the Royal Windsor and Maidenhead Borough at a cost of £10,000 with the installation overseen by First Great Western – follows the popularity of similar schemes with South West Trains and Windsor Royal Shopping to provide bicycle racks at both Windsor stations.
The new partially-covered cycle racks at Maidenhead station are providing much-needed extra cycle storage for rail commuters – and supplementing the many spaces already provided.
Cllr Colin Rayner, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead highways and streetcare, said: "This is a much-needed facility and really good news for all those people who regularly leave their bicycles at Maidenhead station before getting on trains to go to work.
"The existing cycle racks were becoming full to overflowing, especially on weekdays – and as a result many people were chaining their bikes to railings alongside the station forecourt.
"These were blocking the pathway from the town centre and causing a particular hazard for people with visual impairments.
"The new cycle parking is not only more secure but also partially covered so cycles are not being completely exposed to the elements for hours on end.
"We are pleased to have worked with First Great Western on this scheme which demonstrates not only our commitment to encouraging more people to cycle but helps the train operator to continue to improve its facilities for passengers. And the more commuters who cycle and park, the more spaces this frees up in borough car parks."
Andrew Dickinson, station manager, First Great Western, said: "We are delighted to be able to deliver this much-needed increase in cycle storage provision as a result of the joint partnership with the Royal Borough.
"I would like to thank them for helping to financially deliver the project and for their assistance in enhancing the services supplied at the station. At the same time we are pleased to be able to support the Royal Borough with further reductions in the carbon footprint by encouraging more use of bicycles."
Improving cycling facilities came top of a participatory budgeting consultation with Windsor and Maidenhead residents earlier this year asking how they would spend £500,000 of the council’s 2010-11 capital budget.
The council has just completed a consultation on how best to spend £100,000 of this additional funding on cycling schemes in 2010-11. The results of the consultation will be published shortly and work will start on the new initiatives within the next few months.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
