Full steam ahead as rail operator announces package of improvements for Ely rail station
Ely Station - Credit: Archant
Ely’s train station is set for a major overhaul as train operator Abellio Greater Anglia looks to improve facilities for both pedestrians and cyclists.
The Dutch-owned rail giant says it is in the early stages of work to upgrade the ticket hall, increasing its size and improving the entrance and exit for passengers, which have long been pinch points for people trying to get to platforms.
The company has also announced plans to open a new ‘Cycle Point’ with spaces for up to 400 cycles, secure storage and even changing facilities.
The announcement comes hot on the heels of a £150,000 investment in the station subway, which will see a low maintenance cladding applied to the walls and new integral lighting installed.
An Abellio Greater Anglia spokesman said: “We are progressing with the projects to install a Cycle Point at Ely station and to make improvements to the station subway. “In addition, we are also looking at what might be possible to reconfigure and improve the ticket hall.”
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The spokesman added that it would keep passengers updated with the ticket hall plans as they progress in the coming weeks.
The train operator intends to build the new ‘Cycle Point’ in vacant buildings to the north of the platforms.
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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 200 cycles and changing facilities.
There will also be a retail area for cycle accessories and repairs.
It is believed that tickets to use the premium cycle facilities will start at £1 for a day pass, with annual passes priced at £99.
A tender process inviting businesses to put themselves forward to manage the Cycle Point will be completed on August 31. Greater Anglia will then consider the applicants before a decision is made, expected in the coming months.
The cycle point is due to be complete by March next year.
A spokesman for the Ely Cycling Campaign said: “We think that the proportion of premium paid-for cycle parking spaces to free spaces is probably wrong, and that there should be proportionately more free spaces and proportionately fewer premium ones. We have asked if this can be considered.”
