Continuing on the theme of poor cycle parking provision by some of the major retailers in Greater Manchester..... these photographs were sent in by a recent visitor to the ASDA store in Eastlands.
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| (c) Debbie Ellen |
According to the Greater Manchester Parking Standards (2006), Food Retail spaces (greater than 900 sqm) should provide a minimum of 1 cycle parking space per 200 sqm. The Eastlands ASDA was reported to have 100,500 square feet of retail space - which is the equivalent of 9336 square metres. So, according to the GM Parking standards, Manchester City Council's Planning Department should have requested ASDA to install 46 cycle parking spaces.
The mystery shopper had to search quite diligently to find the cycle parking and so it is possible that there are additional cycle parking 'facilities' at the ASDA site but it is clear from the photograph that there are not 46 cycle parking spaces at this specific location.
The mystery shopper had to search quite diligently to find the cycle parking and so it is possible that there are additional cycle parking 'facilities' at the ASDA site but it is clear from the photograph that there are not 46 cycle parking spaces at this specific location.
The GM Cycle Parking guidelines - for use by Local Authority Officers and Developers (2002) also clearly states that for Short Stay Facilities (up to 2 hours) the design for cycling parking should be: "Sheffield style racks, or wall mounted bars." The guidelines go on to highlight that "Wheel slots and butterfly racks are not suitable." (Emphasis added).
ASDA's cycle parking facilities do not meet the GM Cycle Parking guidelines and because they do not provide good support for the bike are very likely to cause damage to the bicycle wheels and do not provide very good security.
We have some additional investigation to do to find out exactly how many cycle parking spaces are available at the Eastlands ASDA site.
But meanwhile, some questions for Manchester City Council Planning department:
* Did the planning permission granted by Manchester City Council require ASDA to install cycle parking at the site?
* If so, how many cycle parking spaces were stipulated?
* Did the Planning permission require that the cycle parking met GM Cycle Parking guidelines?
* Did Development Control check to see whether the correct amount (and type) of cycle parking was installed?
We will report back on any response(s).
ASDA's cycle parking facilities do not meet the GM Cycle Parking guidelines and because they do not provide good support for the bike are very likely to cause damage to the bicycle wheels and do not provide very good security.
In fact, the Greater Manchester Police Cycle Parking Design Guidance says of "butterfly racks": "These devices should not be used unless security is provided through other means, (i.e a secure compond)." So ASDA has installed cycle parking facilities that do not meet GM Police standards either!
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| (c) Debbie Ellen |
But meanwhile, some questions for Manchester City Council Planning department:
* Did the planning permission granted by Manchester City Council require ASDA to install cycle parking at the site?
* If so, how many cycle parking spaces were stipulated?
* Did the Planning permission require that the cycle parking met GM Cycle Parking guidelines?
* Did Development Control check to see whether the correct amount (and type) of cycle parking was installed?
We will report back on any response(s).
Tried looking on the ASDA website for their cycle parking policies but to no great avail (see image below). If anyone has any further details of ASDA's cycle parking policy or has had specific dealing with them on this issue - please leave a comment.
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