Integration Of Bike And Rail Travel Commended At Awards Ceremony

The award scheme, 'CycleMark', is sponsored by the Strategic Rail Authority and managed by the consultancy bikerail. It recognises those who have made a special effort to promote the integration of cycling and rail travel. Winners were selected by an independent, expert panel, chaired by rail journalist, media commentator and cyclist, Christian Wolmar. They were:

• Best Operator - Anglia Railways Highly Commended - c2c
• Best Individual - Alan Newton, Chiltern Railways
• Best Whole Journey Experience - Arriva Trains Merseyside Highly Commended - Dartmoor Railway / Devon County Council
• Best Station - York (GNER) Highly Commended - Oxford (Thames Trains)

Presenting the awards, Steve Norris said: "There is a big challenge ahead in getting more people cycling and onto public transport. I congratulate today's winners. They show that where there is the will, there are many ways in which the rail system can become more user-friendly for cyclists."

Chris Austin, SRA Executive Director for External Relations, said: "We are taking integrated transport seriously and these awards are designed to encourage good practice around the system. To achieve our target of 50% growth in rail passenger numbers by 2010, we have to improve access to stations significantly. The extra passengers can't possibly all come by car, and that is why we are encouraging cycling as an alternative."

A DETAILED LIST OF AWARD WINNERS FOLLOWS

BEST OPERATOR:

Winner: Anglia Railways. Winning the award for the second year running, this company continues to deliver substantial, innovative improvements for cyclists. Its new website and its cycle rescue scheme are good examples of this. Anglia has installed cycle parking at every station on its network.

Highly Commended: c2c. The company has achieved big improvements at every level. Its new trains offer good cycle carriage in a dedicated, signed area. c2c has also carried out extensive improvements to its stations many of which now provide secure cycle parking. The company has good station information displays for passengers and cyclists.

MOST OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL:

Winner: Alan Newton of Chiltern Railways. Alan is a Ticket Office Clerk at Wendover Station and a keen cyclist. He has worked hard over the past five years to develop cycling at his station. Alan regularly assists passengers with bikes on and off trains, and advises on services that have dedicated cycle storage. He also takes special care of the cycle parking at the station.

BEST WHOLE JOURNEY EXPERIENCE:

Winner: Arriva Trains Merseyside. In partnership with Merseytravel, the company promotes recreational bike rides from stations on its network. Cyclists can get off at one station and travel back from another at no extra charge. Its policy of unrestricted free cycle carriage and low cost of travel make these bike/rail journeys accessible to everyone.

Highly Commended: Dartmoor Railway / Devon County Council. The railway takes bicycles free in a dedicated carriage. The Granite Way cycle route, developed by the County Council, runs parallel to the railway, making a circular trip possible. The Panel noted the railway's pivotal role in cycle tourism on Dartmoor and its importance to the local economy.

BEST STATION:

Winner: York Station, GNER. York provides good quality, secure cycle parking and excellent platform access. Cycle hire is also available at the station. Staff provide a high standard of customer care and the station has excellent passenger and information facilities. The Panel felt that, overall, York station provided the best facilities for cyclists of the many entries received.

Highly Commended: Oxford Station, Thames Trains. The forecourt at Oxford has been recently re-configured allowing excellent access. Combined with secure, signed cycle parking areas that are regularly maintained, with CCTV and information facilities, this makes the station one of the most cycle-friendly in Britain.