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Cash to make Leeds City Station cycling 'hub'
Millions of pounds are to be invested at Leeds City Station in a bid to tempt commuters away from four wheels and on to two.
Government ministers, keen to encourage workers to cycle to and from rail stations, have allocated the cash to make the station into a cycling 'hub'.
The money will be invested in measures ministers believe will make it more attractive for people to get on their bikes.
They will include extra cycle storage facilities and secure covered parking, repair services, a hire scheme and improved cycle access to and from the station.
The work is expected to be complete by May next year.
Mark Robinson, Leeds City Council's cycling chief, said: "This is certainly something we would welcome. We get a lot of inquiries about where people can park their bikes safely in the city centre."
Mr Robinson said the three cycle-storage areas at Leeds station were always well used.
"The demand is there," he said. "There also seems to be a demand for people to get to Leeds and then have access to a bike so they can cycle to work."
Leeds is one of 10 major UK stations to share the 5m package, with Sheffield and York stations also in line to benefit.
On top of that money, Northern Rail, which runs many train services from Leeds, is to receive a share of 4m in funding.
That money is to be invested to help make Northern become a flagship 'Bike 'n' Ride' train operating company.
'Bike 'n' Ride' has developed from a recommendation made by the Cycle Rail Task Force, which said that bicycle and rail travel should be better integrated.
Heidi Mottram, managing director, Northern Rail, said: "This announcement will deliver fantastic benefits for passengers.
"We have made great progress in encouraging cyclists to use our services and this funding will help us do even more to persuade people to Bike 'n' Ride."
The entire 14m package was announced on Monday by Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis.
He said that while half of the British population owns a bike, and 60 per cent live within 15 minutes of a rail station, just two per cent of train passengers cycle to the station.
Lord Adonis said: "This is in contrast to Holland where cycling accounts for a third of all trips to and from the station.
"The aim of the programmes announced today is to boost the significant number of people cycling to catch their train. This will tackle congestion, promote rail travel and help people develop healthier lifestyles and protect the environment."
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 10 February 2012
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