Riverside store lets riders keep bikes safe from thieving hands

The long-awaited plans to transform the historic former electricity sub-station at Lendal Bridge into a so-called cycle hub is in line to secure 270,000 from York Council.

York has emerged as one of the worst theft blackspots for cycles in the country, ranking alongside London, Cambridge and Oxford which have all been blighted by thieves exploiting the popularity of cycling in the cities.

The cycle hub development is the latest move in a wide-ranging strategy that is being overseen by the city council to try to curb congestion throughout York's historic streets.

The Yorkshire Post revealed last week that transport experts behind London's congestion charge are being consulted about enforcing controversial road tolls in York that could cost as much as 244m to introduce.

Councillors have admitted that continuing with York's existing transport policies is not an option as the number of vehicles on the city's roads could increase by as much as 28 per cent by 2021.

York Council executive member for city strategy Coun Steve Galloway said: "We have seen some successes in increasing cycling in York, and this is one of the key areas we should look towards in helping tackle congestion. It is much better to encourage people to look towards other forms of transport than forcing them into it by introducing policies such as congestion charging.

"Cycling is obviously a healthier option than the car, and it is often quicker as well as much cheaper. The new cycle hub will hopefully address cyclists' concerns about leaving their bicycles in the city centre, while also encouraging more people to use this mode of transport."

The Grade II listed former sub-station, which has an overall floor area of almost 1,140 sq ft, was built in about 1920 next to Lendal Bridge, but reverted to council ownership after it was decommissioned in 2004.

York Council has agreed to lease the sub-station to the Bike Rescue Project, as long as the organisation obtains planning permission and funding to convert the site.

Senior members on the council's executive meet on Tuesday next week to approve proposals to release 275,000 to fund the cycle hub. The revamp of the former electricity sub-station would 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 are also due to be built. The plans are also looking to introduce additional cycle storage in the future and space for recycling and repairing bikes.

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

York is one of 12 locations in Britain to have been awarded cycling town or city status in 2008 after fighting off competition from 74 other local authorities to win a slice of funding under the 94m national project.

More than 12,000 residents have replied to a questionnaire by the council to 90,000 households to help develop the third local transport plan.

Almost three quarters of those who responded felt that improving public transport and making better use of the existing transport system were the best ways to tackle congestion.

n Motorists have been warned to find alternative routes when one of York's notorious traffic bottlenecks is closed from today to allow improvements to a gas main.

Gillygate will be closed 24 hours a day from 6am today for six weeks to allow upgrades to the gas main. Traffic diversions will be in place.