Transport Minister Norman Baker visits Brighton Station
The Transport Minister Norman Baker is due to visit Brighton Station this morning (Friday 19 July).
Mr Baker, the Liberal Democrat MP for Lewes, is visiting the station to mark the publication of updated guidance to help boost access to train travel.
The guidance relates to Station Travel Plans and covers ways to improve access to and from railway stations by bus, by bike, by motorbike or on foot.
It has been put together in collaboration with the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), the Transport Research Laboratory and the Rail Safety and Standards Board.
The updated guidance will be used by train operators, councils and transport professionals. It draws on lessons learnt from a three-year pilot study of 30 stations.
Brighton Station has a Station Travel Plan managed by train operator Southern although it wasn’t part of the pilot study.
Mr Baker is also expected to mark the granting of planning permission this week for a new cycle hub at Brighton Station.
Norman Baker
The new hub will allow people to leave bikes in a secure and staffed store. The hub includes a bike shop selling spare parts and accessories as well as a bike servicing business.
The Department for Transport said: “The popularity of combining cycling with rail journeys has surged in recent years.
“Journeys accessing stations by bike have increased by over a third in recent years, up from 27.6 million journeys in 2009 to around 38.4 million last year.
“It is hoped the new guidance will help train companies continue to encourage growth in cycling and other forms of sustainable modes of transport to and from stations.”
Mr Baker said: “Making door-to-door journeys easier is important to the Coalition Government – people do not just want to know what times their train will run, they want to know how they are going to get to and from the station.
“This new guidance follows a successful pilot scheme instigated by the department and will bring the needs of passengers walking, cycling or taking the bus to stations into sharper focus.
“It will help train companies and Network Rail to make important progress on station improvements up and down the country.
“I am delighted to come to Brighton to launch this guidance as we have just heard that Brighton Station has been granted planning permission to go ahead with their cycle hub.
“This new facility which has been part-funded by DfT will offer people even more greener options for travelling to and from the station.”
David Mapp, ATOC’s commercial director, said: “The updated guidance is good news for passengers as it will allow train companies and transport planners to improve provision for passengers getting to and from their local stations, helping the railways to provide real door-to-door transport.
“Train companies are committed to helping people find alternative ways of getting to their local stations and want to encourage sustainable journey choices.
“After years of decline the railway is booming with people being attracted to take more journeys than at any time since the 1920s.
“Making train travel easier is at the heart of ensuring that growth continues and train companies are committed to creating seamless and sustainable door-to-door journeys.”
