All clear for plans to transform railway station into ‘cycling hub’

Network Rail has won planning permission to make Ely’s railway station a hub for cyclists.

The rail operator applied to East Cambridgeshire District Council in the summer to build a new ‘Cycle Point’ in vacant buildings to the north of the platforms.

The current cycle storage, which caters for almost 200 cycles, will be moved to the new building and new facilities will be introduced, including a premium paid-for service which will see secure storage for cycles and changing facilities.

There will also be a retail area for cycle accessories and repairs.

In all, Network Rail applied for permission for 360 cycle parking spaces.

Agents acting for Network Rail told the council: “The existing tenancy buildings to the north of the main station building are to be refurbished to provide enclosed cycle retail and cycle storage.

“Car parking to the forecourt is proposed to be reconfigured as cycle storage. The car spaces lost will be re-provided elsewhere in the station car park.

“The existing cycle parking, currently on the station platform, will be removed. A greater number of cycle parking spaces will be provided in the proposed scheme.”

The district council approved the plans this week, but insisted that all metal fencing used as part of the development be painted black and not green, as was proposed by Network Rail.

The council said that black would preserve the conservation area.