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).