New cycle parking has been installed in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill as a result of the Government’s Emergency Active Travel Fund to help make cycling safer.
One of the positives to come out of the COVID-19 crisis is the noticeable increase in people cycling. Whether that is for commuting to work to avoid overcrowding the transport network, for leisure or as part of people’s daily exercise.
This has resulted in reduced congestion and improvements in air quality as well as supporting people’s health and wellbeing.
In Haverhill the parking racks have been installed on the High Street and outside the Bus Station.
In Bury St Edmunds two cycle parking racks have been installed on St Andrew Street South.
The locations for the cycle parking were selected in partnership with West Suffolk Council and supports the vision for their town centre masterplans.
A third, cycle parking rack in Bury St Edmunds has been installed outside the parade of shops on Westgate Street.
Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Transport and Rural Affairs, said:
“Many residents in Suffolk have embraced cycling during the pandemic, so we have a real opportunity here to make cycling safer and easier not just for this unprecedented period, but for the future as well to reap the associated health and pollution benefits.
“To get more people cycling long term we need to ensure there are enough places for them to safely store their bikes, so I am really pleased it is now easier to access Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill town centres on two wheels.
“I hope the facilities will encourage more people to grab their helmet and give it a go.”
Councillor Susan Glossop, Cabinet Member for Growth at West Suffolk Council said:
“We are pleased more cycle parking is being introduced by Suffolk County Council at trial locations in Bury St Edmunds and Haverhill town centres. We had strong public engagement in shaping the town centre masterplans with many public comments calling for more places to store and lock up bicycles in the town centres.
“Furthermore, it supports our commitment to the environment and improving public health, by encouraging people to not use the car to come into our town centres.”
In line with the Department for Transport (DfT) guidelines, the county council is delivering a raft of measures across the county to encourage active travel. This includes alterations to road layouts and providing temporary footpaths and cycle lanes as well as offering free family cycling sessions and bike maintenance vouchers.
Suffolk County Council’s efforts and commitment to active travel have been praised by the DfT, which is why the county council has been awarded a further £1.685 million in tranche two from the Emergency Active Travel Fund.
To keep up to date with how Suffolk County Council is making it safer and easier for residents to choose active and sustainable travel modes – visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/adviceontravel
