'Landmarkdecision'to launchcycle hub

A LISTED building in the heart of York will be transformed into one of the most secure bicycle compounds in the country after councillors agreed to provide 270,000 in funding.

The long-awaited plans to create a so-called cycle hub in the Grade II listed former electricity sub-station at Lendal Bridge has secured the cash from York Council.

Members of the council’s executive met on Tuesday when they also gave the go-ahead to provide a loan of up to 30,000 to finance the launch of the project.

Work is due to start on converting the building in the next month and it is hoped that the cycle hub will be operational by the end of the summer.

The venture is being run by the Bike Rescue Project, an organisation launched in August 2006 to salvage and renovate old bikes.

Bernadette Cullen, who founded the project, said: “It has taken three years to actually make this happen, and the council had initially said that it was not viable.

“But I went back to them and explained how the cycle hub could work, and it is great news that they have agreed to release the money.

“It is something of a landmark decision and it will not only help cut bike crime, but it will also hopefully encourage more people to take up cycling.”

The revamp of the former electricity sub-station is due to create ground-floor secure parking for 100 cycles as well as a display and sales area.

Washrooms, showers, a changing area and toilets along with a first-floor workshop and office will also be built. The plans are also looking to introduce additional cycle storage in the future and space for recycling and repairing bikes.

The hub will be open six days a week and charges for cycles are likely to be 1 per day.