Cycle Centre Proposals for Manchester and Salford

The Cycling England - Feasibility Report on proposed Manchester and Salford Cycle Centres has recently been made available.

The report summary states that there "is evident potential for growth in cycling in Manchester and Salford. This growth is being constrained by the lack of secure parking.To meet this need there are funds available to create a number of Cycle Centres providing a range of services across the regional centre."

It is great that there are funds available for cycle centres, although the report does not  provide any details of the amount of funding and how many cycle centres this will support.

What is a Cycle Centre?
The report  describes a ‘cycle centre’ as a facility that may provide a range of services including one or more of following:

• Secure, covered cycle parking either self parked or by staff (full or part time) 
• Cycle information including security (locking one’s cycle), travel planning and links to public transport 
• Cycle hire 
• Sale of parts and new cycles 
• Repairs 
• Lockers for storage of clothing and cycle equipment 
• Showers and changing facilities 
• Clothes drying facilities 
• Food and drink (café or vending machines) 
• Cycle cleaning 
• Free use of tyre pump 
• Cycle training 
• Cycle maintenance classes

but at a minimum any Cycle Centre should provide secure cycle parking and one other service.

The report identified a number of potential sites including:

• Piccadilly Station: Site 2 - Station Approach
• Piccadilly Station: Site 4 - Fairfield Street/London Road
• Aquatic Centre
• Piccadilly Station: Site 3 – Fairfield Street
• Piccadilly Gardens
• Salford Quays and Kennedy St 

and currently the reports' consultants are carrying out a more detailed evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of each these suggested sites. They are due to deliver a prioritised list of site(s) for the Cycle Centre very soon.


Watch this space for further news......