Warwickshire News Mine

Warwickshire County Council has funded the improved facilities for cyclists and rail passengers at Leamington Railway Station in a joint project with Chiltern Railways. The improvements are part of the county council’s ongoing work to encourage more use of sustainable modes of transport.

The number of cycle parking stands at the station has been doubled, with parking for up to 50 bikes now available at the front of the station and on the platforms.  New weather-proof shelters have also been provided and there are now five additional cycle lockers on platform 2.

The county council hopes that the improved cycle parking facilities, together with future improvements to local cycle routes, will lead to more people cycling to the station.

Councillor Martin Heatley, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “Combining cycling with the train is a great way to travel – wherever you live in Leamington Spa, you are no more than a 15 minute cycle ride from the station. As well as helping you to get fit on your way to work, using your bike also avoids parking fees, petrol costs and traffic jams.”

Rodney King, local representative for the Cyclists Touring Club (CTC), said "The provision of secure under cover cycle parking is a really big improvement for this station, and our thanks to Warwickshire County Council and Chiltern Railways for making this investment.”

Cath Proctor, Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, said: “Chiltern Railways is committed to improving cycling facilities at its stations.  These improvements are great news for the growing number of people that are choosing to cycle to Leamington station.

“The provision of cycle stands covered by CCTV and additional cycle lockers means it is also more secure.  Better cycling facilities are just one of the improvements that has resulted from working alongside Warwickshire County Council.”

The new cycle parking is part of a package of station improvements to help improve journeys for rail users in Warwickshire that Warwickshire County Council is delivering in partnership with Central Trains, Chiltern Railways and Network Rail.

At Leamington Spa the subway lighting is in the process of being upgraded and at Warwick there is now a new, larger, shelter on the Birmingham bound platform and there will be an extension of the Stairway roof on the London bound platform.  At Hatton and Lapworth stations, additional CCTV cameras have been provided to increase passenger and car park security.

Stratford-upon-Avon has benefited from an improved real-time Customer Information system and both Stratford-upon-Avon and Henley-in-Arden have benefited from automated Public Announcements, helping to keep passengers informed.

Link to WCC