New £300,000 secure cycle hub officially opened at Harborough railway station

A new long-awaited £300,000 secure cycle hub has been officially opened at Market Harborough railway station.

The indoor facility was jointly funded by East Midlands Railway, (EMR), Department of Transport and Harborough District Council through a programme managed by cycling charity Sustrans.

The hub provides 100 cycle parking spaces – and is accessible by a fob and is covered by CCTV.

It’s sited at the front of Market Harborough station, giving cyclists a safe and sheltered place to store their bike between journeys.

Cyclists can get a fob by picking up an application form from the station.

Each fob requires a deposit payment of £10 which is refundable at the end of its use.

EMR is committed to increasing its cycle provision across its network by 1,050 spaces, investing £1.1 million.

Rail and Cycling Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “We have seen a huge increase in people cycling in recent months and to build on this we’re determined to make it easier than ever for people to cycle as part of their journey.

“This brand-new hub at Market Harborough station will help more people safely store their bikes – making their commute easier, keeping people active and helping to reduce traffic in and around the town.”

Steve Jones, chair of Harborough Rail Users, said: “The new hub will be a huge improvement in cycle parking facilities at the station, offering much greater capacity as well as being secure and weather-proof.

“Once we are past the Covid crisis, climate change will resume its place towards the top of the national agenda.

“The combination of bike and rail makes a lot of sense.

“It's great to see Market Harborough benefit from this investment."

Matt Winfield, Executive Director England at Sustrans, said: “Trains offer fast, green transport for longer distance journeys.

“Bikes offer fast, healthy and green transport for local journeys.

“Putting them together in a hub like this will help people travel without the congestion and pollution that comes with car use.

“So we are pleased to be helping the Department for Transport, the rail industry and local partners to deliver this great scheme.”

Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough District Council, said: “We’re very pleased to be jointly-investing in this facility which will reduce unnecessary car usage, and help meet our aims of doing all we can to reduce climate change.

“It also encourages people to cycle to and from the station which, of course, brings added health benefits.”

Lisa Angus, Transition and Projects Director at East Midlands Railway, said: “We are delighted to open these new facilities and help encourage more rail users to get to the station by cycling.

“The cycle hub will provide users piece of mind that while they are on our services and away from their bike, it is safe and sheltered from the Great British weather ready for them to return.

“We would like to thank all our partners who helped support this project. “It will undoubtedly have a positive environmental and health impact on the local community of Market Harborough.

“We look forward to seeing our passengers using it.”