More Cycle Spaces for Ipswich Station

Cyclists who use Ipswich station are set to benefit from a programme designed to make journeys more joined up and sustainable.

Greater Anglia will soon create an additional 25 cycle spaces at the station through the installation of a two-tiered cycle rack.

The initiative is part of the Department for Transport and Sustrans Cycle Rail programme; the fund aims to add 2,300 cycle spaces at 48 stations across England.

The works at Ipswich station are being funded in part by Suffolk County Council.

Cllr Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs, said: “We want more people to choose to make cycling a part of their sustainable journey, and cycling to your nearest station and catching a train to work is a great way to keep healthy, reduce emissions and help make Suffolk a more pleasant place to live.

“We know if we get more people cycling then we need to ensure there are enough places for them to safely store their bikes at the start and end of a journey. I am pleased Suffolk County Council has been able to help fund the cycle parking at Ipswich as well as at other train stations throughout the county.”

Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director, said: “We are committed to supporting green transport and environmental initiatives across our region.

“More people are choosing to live in our region and travel by train, we are seeing increasing numbers of people cycling to stations so we’re keen to expand our cycling facilities, especially as it helps people to minimise their carbon footprint for the entire length of their journeys. Since the start of lockdown, the number of people cycling in our region has soared, and the new facilities will help welcome people back to the railway.

“We would like to thank Sustrans, Department for Transport, Cambridge County Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Suffolk County Council for making these projects possible.”

Other stations across the Greater Anglia network will also benefit from the Cycle Rail programme. A secure cycle compound will be installed at Cambridge North and 25 cycle spaces will be created at both Cheshunt and Ryehouse stations.

Design work will start soon; all four projects are expected to be completed by the end of March 2021.