Cyclists will be able to park at the front of Brighton Station again although they will have to wait until September.
Southern Railway, which runs the station on behalf of Network Rail, moved cycle parking to the back of the station when a revamp began earlier this year.
When the work was finished cyclists were dismayed to learn that Southern had banned parking from the traditional area.
Now protests have prompted Southern to rethink the ban and the company has promised to install a two-tier bike rack where British Transport Police officers currently park.
Work will start on the rack next month and should be finished in September.
The rack will have enough spaces for 40 bikes and is like the one that was put in at Hove Station.
When Southern banned bike from being parked at the front of the station, the company blamed safety and security.
Councillor Ian Davey, deputy leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, took up the issue with Southern’s managing director Chris Burchell.
Delighted
Councillor Davey, the council’s cabinet member for transport, said that the train company was breaking its franchise agreement.
He said that the agreement required the company to cater for existing demand for parking bikes.
After learning of Southern’s rethink the Green councillor and cycling enthusiast said: “I have been discussing the need for provision of some cycling parking at the front of the station with Southern since coming into post in May.
“I am delighted that they have listened and responded so positively.
“I look forward to them being opened in September.”
David Scorey, Southern’s franchise improvement director, said: “Although we have put in over a hundred extra cycle parking spaces at the rear of the station which are very well used, some of our passengers told us they wanted parking to be available at the front.
“This will go some way to meeting those requirements.”
The bike parking area at the back of station is not covered, unlike the area where bike parking was previously allowed.
The company said that the new cycle parking area would be fenced and monitored 24 hours a day by Southern’s CCTV control centre.
Take away 70 and put back 40, several months later. This is still a disappointing step backwards. What was wrong with the status quo, Southern? I wrote in 6 weeks ago, and still haven’t had an intelligent response.
I really hope that the motorcycle parking at the back of the station is reinstated. It has always been quick and easy to park in that area and I hope the cyclists don’t move us on from there permanently. I always liked to see the row of scooters, mopeds and motorbikes there too, it was Vespa Central!
Boom boom!