News / Transport
Network Rail to remove bike parking on Temple Meads platforms
Cyclists have hit out at Network Rail over plans to remove bike parking on Temple Meads platforms, branding the move “a massive blow”.
The company that owns Bristol’s historic city centre station says the existing racks on platforms three and four will be taken down to make room for scaffolding as works begin on a £40m project to upgrade the roof of the Grade I-listed building. People have until September 6 to collect their bikes from the site.
All existing cycle parking on Station Approach will remain and Network Rail is providing temporary undercover parking for up to 450 bicycles on Friary, Temple Quay, behind the station, which will be lit and protected by CCTV.
is needed now More than ever
But more than 250 people have signed a petition against the move, claiming it means more inconvenience for cyclists and will result in the permanent loss of “relatively secure and easy bike parking at Temple Meads”.
The new temporary parking will be on Friary behind Temple Meads – image by GetMapping plc, courtesy of Network Rail,
The petition states: “This seems like a massive blow for cyclists. Compared to rolling up at the station and locking your bike up on the platform, it’s going to be pretty inconvenient.
“There’s also security to consider. Network Rail say the new parking arrangement will be ‘lit and covered by CCTV’ but compared to the platform, which is ticket access only, outside the British Transport Police officers, in a high footfall area and lit and covered by CCTV, it’s a massive step backwards.”
The petition claims the new location is a five-minute walk from the main station.
Network Rail says the removal of the cycle racks is necessary to make room for scaffolding and ensure people still have space to move about while the station undergoes its biggest upgrade in 25 years.
The company has confirmed on-platform cycle parking won’t return once the work is completed as its location wouldn’t pass new safety guidelines set to be introduced, adding that this means it would have to move at some point anyway.
The new facility is being used as a temporary solution while alternative sites are identified. Network Rail bosses say this will enable them to review if cycle parking on Temple Quay works and better judge the location from a user and safety perspective.
A spokesperson for the company said: “The cycle parking on the platforms at Bristol Temple Meads will be removed on September 6 to make room for the scaffolding for the £40m restoration of the station roof.
“We are building a new temporary bike parking facility next to the station at Friary, Temple Quay, which will have 450 spaces, be covered, lit and be protected by CCTV.”
Network Rail is asking owners of bikes left on the platform to collect them by September 6. Any bikes remaining will be kept in storage until November 6 ready for people to collect. Any that are still left after November 6 will be donated to charity.
Main photo by Stephen Sumner
Read more: Bicy-cull at Temple Meads
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