Railway stations in Sheffield and Doncaster to receive over £100,000 to install more cycle spaces

The Department of Transport is set to award Meadowhall railway station £95,000 and Doncaster railway station £19,000 for the new cycle spaces.

It forms part of a £6.8million Government programme, through which it is hoped capacity for an extra 2,300 bikes can be created at 48 stations across England - enabling commuters to cycle directly to the station and lock up their bike securely.

Cycling and Walking Minister Michael Ellis said: “Cycling to your nearest station and catching a train to work is a great way to keep healthy, reduce emissions and help make our towns and cities vibrant places to live.

“But to make this a reality, I know that the right infrastructure needs to be in place. This latest investment will see many more stations become accessible for cyclists, so that greener travel options – whether as part of a longer or shorter journey - become the norm.”

The North of England is set to receive £700,000 as part of the programme. The new investment takes total spending in the Cycle Rail programme over £40 million.

Xavier Brice, CEO for Sustrans, the walking and cycling charity, said: “Walking and cycling should be the easiest way for everyone to get to their local station, making our towns and cities better places to live by reducing congestion and air pollution, and improving our physical and mental health. But it’s not always easy.

“Train operators and their partners have come up with a range of schemes that will make it easier for people to get to and from their station under their own power, which we hope will encourage more people to choose cycling and walking as part of their everyday journey.”

Phillip Darnton, Chair of the Cycle Rail Working Group, said: “This latest, most welcome grant to the Cycle Rail Working Group continues the Department for Transport’s successful funding programme which, over the last five years, has directly led to the number of trips to and from stations by bike more than doubling. This cost-effective investment really does work.”