Temporary bicycle parking is to be provided at the partly-opened Grand Central Station in Belfast it was confirmed today after local campaigners questioned the lack of bicycle parking at the new rail and bus transport hub.
Bus services have now started at the station, with rail services starting on a phased basis from the end of the month. The Dublin-Belfast Enterprise service is currently operating with bus transfers until early October, but once the switchover is made, trains will bring cross-border passengers into a more central part of Belfast than previously.
Belfast Cycle Campaign’s chairperson, Meg Hoyt had written an open letter to Translink’s CEO Chris Conway outlining that the group was “delighted” at the opening of the station but that they were “dismayed, however, at the complete lack of cycle parking”.
Hoyt wrote: “We have been assured that secure, covered bike storage is part of the final vision for Central Station, but there is no indication of a timeline. We are requesting Translink urgently address this situation and create, at least, temporary secure cycle parking with clear signposting around the station.”
She added: “Cycling should and will be a key part of peoples’ journeys to and from Grand Central, we need to make it quick, efficient and safe to encourage more people to cycle and use public transport instead of being dependent on cars.”
Cllr Séamas de Faoite (SDLP) replied on Twitter and said: “I’ve contacted Translink about this today and received an assurance that temporary cycle stands are being sourced ASAP, whilst more secure cycle stands are planned for as work continues. Will keep the pressure up.”
Cycling UK Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland branch of a UK cycling charity, said: “Cycle parking should never be an afterthought, it should be integral with how people interact with public transport. The new station needs to encourage people to consider all alternative transport options asap.”
Sustrans in Northern Ireland, a UK charity focused on charity pedestrians and cycling, said: “Bikes attached to railings at front of new Grand Central Station in Belfast not a good look but Translink assures us temp cycle parking is going in. This is a phased opening but there will be 200+ cycle parking spaces at new Saltwater Square, under the colonnade.
“On full implementation of the active travel plans, including cycle lanes on Glengall St, Durham St, and Bruce St, it is scheduled for completion along with the public realm street works. Additionally, cycle provisions will be installed on Great Victoria St and more Belfast Bikes dock stations,” Sustrans said.
The group added: “The cycle parking will be under the colonnade at station entrance & on Grosvenor Rd. There’s a protected cycle lane on Grosvenor Rd connecting to Royal Hospital & there’s also a link to the Forth Meadow Greenway via cycle lane along Westlink.”
Translink was contacted for comment but did not reply before the publication of this article.
IMAGE: Sustrans on Twitter.