The Council

Tuesday, November 15 2011, 09:19 GMT

Council scoops national cycle rail award

Eastleigh Borough Council has scooped a national rail cycle award for its work with South West Trains on improving access and cycle facilities at local stations.

Throughout 2010-11 the Council, in partnership with South West Trains and cycling organisation Sustrans, undertook a number of initiatives to improve access and facilities for cycling on or adjacent to local stations within the borough.  All stations in the borough have received some level of cycle improvements and have been complemented with station travel plans to promote sustainable access to rail services.

The improvements are part of an integrated approach to station travel and to help meet the growing trend for people to travel by a combination of cycle and rail.  This included 175 additional cycle parking spaces at Southampton Parkway as well as a new cycle route linking Southampton to Eastleigh that runs by the station and cycle stands adjacent to the bus stop to encourage cycle bus integration.

Other stations have also benefitted from new facilities including new cycle parking and cycle routes to local schools from Chandler’s Ford Station and a new secure cycle compound at Eastleigh station.  New lockers and real time information display have been installed at Hedge End station together with a new cycle route to the Rose Bowl.  A new cycle route has also been established at Netley station to link it to Hamble College.   

Cabinet Lead for Transport and Infrastructure Councillor David Airey says 

"EBC strongly supports the promotion of cycling and public transport. Bike to rail makes for an easy and sustainable transport choice. The Council is extremely pleased to have won this award having worked in close partnership with South West Trains and Sustrans. A real "green" and carbon reducing initiative."

These schemes have also received support from Hampshire County Council, Southampton City Council, BAA Southampton, Network Rail and Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership.