Cycle parking at Stirling station
A few years ago I tried to get more cycle racks installed at Stirling station. Between First Scotrail and Stirling Council, I didn't get anywhere.
It's good to see that one set of racks at the station are now covered. However there's still the problem of not enough racks and that only one of the two racks are covered.
There's also a waiting list for the cycle lockers. Currently nine people are waiting for a locker at Stirling station.
As I type this I've thought about the new racks half-way between the train and bus stations. Are these only for use by the Stirling Uni cycle scheme? Again, they're not covered though.
Is this something that others would be interested in pursuing as a group?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joe Hind on -
Hi Philippa,
Are the racks that are provided always full then? I would be keen to have more racks/lockers if capacity is reached. I don't currently take my bike on the train as our offices are so close to the station, but i would be keen to ensure those who need to store bikes at the station are able to do so.
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Permalink Reply by Philippa Cochrane on -
Yes, there are two sets of racks in the station carpark (on the left-hand side of the station as you look towards it). They are both often full, even in the winter.
So for both the racks and the lockers there definitely seems to a need for more.
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Abbess on -
An easy way to lobby for more cycle parking at the station is to complete a SctoRail "Your feedback" form - available at Stirling station. They are normally used when claiming a refund for delayed train journeys but are also good for logging other problems. I used the form last year to let Scotrail know that their bike parking is at capacity at Stirling. I got a reply saying that Scotrail had decided to spend their "cycle parking budget" making sure there was bike parking at all Scotrail stations. If they received dozens of these feedback forms letting them know Stirling bike parking was at capacity they might put Stirling at the front of the list when they next allocate any bike parking budget or are looking at station upgrades.
Comments on Scotrail services can also be made to:
Sctorail customer relations, PO Box 7030 Forth William PH33 6WX
0845 601 5929
scotrailcustomer.relations@firstgroup.com
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Abbess on
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Another oppertunity to lobby for better cycle facilities at the Station or on trains is the EGIP consultation (Edinburgh-Glasgow rail improvement): ask about space for bikes on trains, station parking, bike hubs, routes to stations...
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/11967.aspx
Andrew Abbess said:An easy way to lobby for more cycle parking at the station is to complete a SctoRail "Your feedback" form - available at Stirling station. They are normally used when claiming a refund for delayed train journeys but are also good for logging other problems. I used the form last year to let Scotrail know that their bike parking is at capacity at Stirling. I got a reply saying that Scotrail had decided to spend their "cycle parking budget" making sure there was bike parking at all Scotrail stations. If they received dozens of these feedback forms letting them know Stirling bike parking was at capacity they might put Stirling at the front of the list when they next allocate any bike parking budget or are looking at station upgrades.
Comments on Scotrail services can also be made to:
Sctorail customer relations, PO Box 7030 Forth William PH33 6WX
0845 601 5929
scotrailcustomer.relations@firstgroup.com
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Permalink Reply by Philippa Cochrane on
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Followed Andrew's suggestion and contacted EGIP last night. Got the following reply.
Hi Philippa
Thank you for your submission in relation to the EGIP consultation.
On a project of this scale, we naturally share our plans and proposals with various partners in order to ‘join up’ development. Councils (8 of ) are a key part of the EGIP development and it would be within their responsibilities to designate safe cycling routes in each of their areas and it is something we have no responsibility for.
You are correct in thinking that there will be new electric rolling stock when the EGIP has been completed. The responsibility for the specification and procurement of this lies with Transport Scotland and as I understand it, no decisions have been made in relation to this as yet. All emails to this address and submissions through the web site are recorded as part of the consultation and will be shared with Transport Scotland in due course so your request in relation to bike spaces on trains will go to them.
Currently, the operation of the majority of the stations lies with First ScotRail and as there are limited ‘station works’ proposed as part of EGIP (Haymarket / Gogar excepted) your best route in relation to provision of lockers at stations may lie with an approach to them.
I hope this response was helpful.
Regards
EGIP
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Permalink Reply by Callum Black on -
I assume nothing much has changed re. cycle parking at the station since this thread was last updated? I.e. I take it there aren't any new racks located somewhere I hadn't thought to look?
Does anyone have any thoughts regarding the practicality / safety of leaving a bike at the station overnight?
E.g. Would there generally be space from around 5pm onwards?
Would a (fairly low value, non attractive) bike be safe there. The covered racks look better and further from the road. The ones just inside the gate don't look like such a good bet...
These questions are being asked on the basis of keeping a bike at Stirling. There would be days it wouldn't be used (inc. weekends). Would that be considered bad form (i.e. to be using up valuable space)?
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Permalink Reply by Philippa Cochrane on
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Hi Callum
There are some bike racks next to the entrance to the car-park (public car-park, rather than the season ticket holder car park where the racks and lockers you refer to are located). I think these racks were put there for the university / bike hire scheme, but they're often empty.
It would probably be better to leave a bike in the covered racks as you suggest for security reasons etc. Hard to comment on whether it would be bad from to leave a bike there which isn't used every day. I have noticed that on the uncovered racks there are 3 abandoned bikes, which is really 'bad form'....
Going Carbon Neutral Stirling are carrying out a consultation on improving cycle parking facilities at the station. See below:
We are currently in discussions with Transport Scotland, ScotRail, Stirling Council and Sustrans to discuss the feasibility of establishing a dedicated ‘Cycle Hub’ based at Stirling train station.
Based on a proven Dutch concept, a Cycle Hub is a dedicated cycle parking facility located at major transport hubs e.g train stations. As well as state of the art, safe and secure parking facilities, hubs can offer a range of services from repairs to cycle hire and we are keen to consult you about the services you think are most important for Stirling Station to offer if a Cycle Hub were to be established. Please bear in mind that any potential Hub will make use of converting existing vacant space at the station and is unlikely to involve a new build extension.
So can I please ask you to spend a few moments (less than 5 mins) of your time to answer this survey monkey - https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/StirlingCycleHub (if the link doesn’t work please cut and paste into your browser).
Philippa
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Permalink Reply by Callum Black on
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Hi Philippa,
Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to go with a folding bike on the train instead now.
Cycle hub sounds like a good idea. I have completed the survey.
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