Gold Patron News – GREATER ANGLIA WINS ACCOLADES AT NATIONAL CYCLE RAIL AWARDS

Norfolk Chamber Gold PatronGreater Anglia has triumphed at the National Cycle Rail Awards 2012. In partnership with Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council, the operator won the ‘Station Travel Plan Measure for Cycling Award’ for the Colchester station Travel Plan.

Greater Anglia was also highly commended in the ‘Operator of the Year’ and the ‘Best Customer Service’ categories.

In presenting the award and the commendations, the judges recognised that Greater Anglia has implemented a wide variety of cycle-focused enhancements since the franchise began in February 2012, including upgrades to existing facilities, creating a new cycle strategy and making arrangements for special cycling events. These achievements have been delivered in the first 9 months of the Greater Anglia franchise and are the first of a number of improvements the operator is committed to providing in the region.

Measures already in place include an increase in cycle parking across the network bringing the total number of cycle spaces at Greater Anglia stations to 6,000, with schemes at Billericay, Kelvedon and Rayleigh, plus a new secure cycle compound at Manningtree. On-going enhancements include plans to develop new cycle parking initiatives at Cambridge and Chelmsford, a cycle hire scheme at Norwich and a new Plus Cycle hire scheme and additional bike parking at 15 stations.

The ‘Station Travel Plan Measure for Cycling Award’ specifically recognised the Colchester Travel Plan, a partnership project between the local train operator, Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council. One of 24 pilot schemes nationwide, Colchester was chosen as the award winner because of the sheer scope of the improvements in a range of sustainable access modes – especially cycling. The project has seen a consistent emphasis on cycling, with activities ranging from new cycle stands, increasing cycle parking capacity by 50%, to improvements to cycle routes into the station, as well as awareness campaigns and events. As a result, at least 50% more people now use bikes to travel to the station.

Some of the comments made by the judges in recognising Greater Anglia’s achievements included:

“When awarding the best station travel plan, the judges felt Colchester demonstrated an excellent link to wider transport needs and the local community. Evidence of success is extremely strong and will set the blueprint for successful cycle-rail schemes across the Greater Anglia network and beyond.”

“A great start…the judges were impressed with Greater Anglia’s variety of services, demonstrating a commitment to customer service and an understanding of cycling.”

Ruud Haket Greater Anglia’s Managing Director said “Our National Cycle Rail Award together with the commendations is a testament to the hard work and vision of our team at Greater Anglia, together with that of our partners at Colchester Borough Council and Essex County Council. We are committed to encouraging more people to cycle to our stations, to improve cycle parking and to enhance the station interchange facilities with other modes of transport. We look forward to working with our partners on further projects in the future.”