Norwich 58 ... Manchester er?

On a recent visit to Norwich by train I noticed quite a large amount of bike parking at the train station. Well located and mostly covered there are a total of 58 Sheffield stands, which at 2 bikes to one stand provides secure parking for 116 bicycles.

Cycle parking at Norwich station (1)

According to Norwich City Council, the population of the Norwich Travel to Work Area (TTWA) is 376,500 whilst 132,200 people live in the Norwich City Council area.

In comparison, the Office for National Statistics has estimated that the TTWA population for Manchester is 1,204,000 and the latest Census puts Manchester's population at 503,100 people.   

Basically, Manchester is nearly 4 times the size of Norwich in terms of both the Travel to Work Area and resident populations.  

Cycle parking at Norwich station (2)

So with plans to increase the amount of people cycling in Manchester you would think that Manchester's key train station - Manchester Piccadilly would  have the same amount, or preferably more cycle parking provision that Norwich. Well you might, but unfortunately you would be wrong !


Whilst, Manchester Piccadilly has recently seen some additional bike parking installed (basically as a planning requirement for the new car park) it still only has the grand total of 43 Sheffield stands (most of these are not under cover) which provides parking provision for 86 bicycles.... 

New cycle parking at Piccadilly station 1

Allowing for the difference in population and Travel to Work area ratios, to match Norwich, Manchester Piccadilly should have 232 Sheffield stands.  

Achieving such an increase in cycle parking at Manchester Piccadilly would be most welcome but so far it would appear that Network Rail have been unwilling to provide high-class cycle parking facilities in either the quantity or quality warranted by a major train station serving the UK's second largest conurbation.

Contrast this to the recently announced plans to build the "biggest cycle parking facility in the UK" at Cambridge station. The plan is to install cycle parking to cater for 3000 bicycles. 

New cycle parking at Manchester Piccadilly 2

If you think that Manchester Piccadilly should increase the provision for cycle parking why not send a (polite) email to Network Rail and/or your local councillor (see the Write to Them website to find details of your local councillors).

Brompton pods...coming to a train station near you?

On 7th July, South West Trains  launched the UK’s first ‘self-service’ Brompton Bicycle rental scheme at Guildford Station (see photo).  The solar-powered Brompton bike dock has been installed by a partnership between South West Trains and Brompton Bicycle, the folding bike manufacturer

The scheme is designed to "encourage passengers to cycle as part of a fully integrated low carbon journey combining bike and train."

The company offers bikes for hire to South West Trains season ticket holders and the general public. These bikes have no travel restrictions and can be carried on all South West Trains services as long as the folding cycles are stowed as luggage.

The Brompton dock currently holds 50 bikes (but can be expanded up to 80 bikes) in the same area as one car parking space. The dock is a ‘self-contained’ unit entirely powered by solar-panels, manufactured in the UK and is made from 95% of recycling material. Passengers who want to cycle to or from Guildford station and use the dock should register and purchase a smartcard online  for £50 a year. To hire a bike simply swipe the card on a locker door, take the bike, and off you go.  The hire period can be for as short or long as you like, and hire prices go from £4 for a single day hire, to £2 per day for hires of seven days or more, dropping to £1.60 per day if you for hire periods of 23 days and up.


The eagle eyed amongst you may have spotted the small posters, with the slogan "From bike to train with just a snap, click and fold" that have been appearing at Manchester Piccadilly train station advertising a Brompton hire scheme based at Stoke train station.  (See photo).

The Brompton system at Stoke station is reported to be a "manual" system with human operators handing out the Brompton bicycles (and presumably showing some people how to fold/unfold the bikes!).

Now, there are strong rumours that Manchester Piccadilly will soon (!) be getting an automated Brompton docking system  a-la Guildford...... although there appear to be some security concerns as Piccadilly is classed as nationally important transport infrastructure... but hopefully such concerns can be sorted.  More details as they arrive.....