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Customer Service Excellence
Winner
First ScotRail
First ScotRail identified a need for increased capacity for cyclists on the busy North Berwick to Edinburgh and Glasgow route.
The company created space for the storage of eight cycles per train – up from none – and an extra 41 standard class seats per train by converting first class carriages and making better use of excessive luggage space. They did this with engineers Hunslet-Barclay and in consultation with train leasing company HSBC. The results have seen a significant take up of the cycle spaces.
The judges said this was a very impressive project that has delivered tangible results. It showed First ScotRail’s sheer determination to do the very best for all its customers, while consulting widely, and clearly demonstrates what can be done if the will is there.
Highly Commended
Gatwick Express
Gatwick Express welcomes all types of bicycle onto its trains, which operate every 15 minutes between the busy Gatwick Airport and London Victoria stations. By operating a clear restriction-free policy for all cyclists, the company is attracting people who wish to cycle in either Central London or to Sussex and Surrey.
The Gatwick Express policy is to be applauded, said the judges. It is, they added, so very good to see such an open approach to cycle usage at any time of the day or night.
Best Provision of Cycle-Rail Information
Winner
Off the Rails
Launched in April 2006 and based at Settle station in the Yorkshire Dales, ‘Off the Rails’ offers a unique-in-the-UK combination of an uphill train journey and a downhill bike ride. The package includes rail fare, bike hire, helmets, bike locks and detailed route information. The rail journey takes passengers to the top of the Settle-Carlisle line at Ribblehead or Garsdale. Key to its success has been the availability of comprehensive public information of leaflets and maps.
The judges praised ‘Off the Rail’s’ information, saying it was extensive, well produced and clear with excellent, informative maps. Clearly, they said, a lot of care and thought had gone into its creation.
Cycling England Best Local Government Contribution
Winner
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
The Council has been working with the rail industry for many years to encourage cycling to Redhill station in Surrey and to develop a cycle-rail 'centre of excellence' there.
By working in partnership with Southern Railway and with the local cycle forum, the Council has helped significantly to develop station cycle facilities.
By the end of 2006, Redhill will have shelters, racks and lockers for 140 cycles, up from just three racks ten years ago, and ramps for wheeling cycles up to the station’s platforms.
This is an excellent example, the judges said, of a holistic approach to encouraging the integrated use of cycles and trains at a busy commuter station. Partnerships with the rail industry, cycle and environmental groups, as well as health and safety experts – backed by finance – have resulted in continuous improvement in the provision of a range of facilities.
Highly Commended
Essex County Council
Essex County Council has maintained a positive and proactive approach towards cycling to and from railway stations throughout the county.
Recent investment by the authority, in partnership with train operator ‘one’ railway and other groups, has significantly improved facilities at many stations.
The judges applauded Essex County Council’s commitment to develop, with its partners, the integrated use of cycles and trains across such a large county. These projects were helping to increase the number of people who are prepared to leave their cars at home.
Most Innovative Approach to Cycle-Rail Integration
Winner
South West Trains
Working with the British Transport Police, South West Trains has developed a scheme to deter cycle theft at a number of high-risk stations throughout its rail network. Together they have created for cyclists at many key stations a package of information, road shows and cycle marking, making bikes traceable on a national database. The programme, which is supported by SWT managers, Travelsafe officers and local authority/Home Office police officers, has now been extended following the success of the initial round of road shows.
This was, the judges said, an innovative, imaginative and popular solution to a widespread problem. Thanks to widespread consultation between the railway industry, the police and cycle users, it was a truly ‘joined up’ project. It went, they said, well beyond the usual bounds to seek an answer to cycle theft.
Highly Commended
GMPTE Stockport Borough Bike Locker Users Club
Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive’s (GMPTE) Bike Locker Users Club was set up and tested in Stockport in 2005 as a solution to “locker blocking”.
Passengers pay a membership fee of £10, which gives them access to all of the lockers in the area. Lockers are secured only with the passenger’s private padlock when a bicycle is stored within the facility. At all other times, empty lockers are simply secured with a BLUC padlock, which are identical across the system enabling other BLUC members to use any of the empty lockers.
BLUC allows greater flexibility in travel behaviour, as passengers are no longer restricted to individual stations or lockers.
The judges said evidence suggests the innovative, flexible and unique Bike Lockers Users Club scheme is working very well in most locations. It is, they said, something that could easily be offered elsewhere.
Cycle Parking Provision
Winner
Transport for London
The Finsbury Park Cycle Park (FPCP) is the UK’s largest automated, staffed cycle parking facility. It forms part of a comprehensive upgrade at Finsbury Park by Transport for London. FPCP has security and cover for 125 cycles, with 24-hour access, and is staffed at peak times. There is an individual, automated colour coded locking system, with a smartcard pre-payment facility. The overall effect has been to make whole journey cycle-rail travel easier. Over 260 users have registered for the scheme, which will be reviewed at the end of the year.
The FPCP is an imaginative scheme, the judges said, which has been well conceived and resourced. The comprehensive package of security, shelter, lighting and staffing has enabled Finsbury Park to become a cyclists’ portal to the centre of London.
Highly Commended
South West Trains
South West Trains has adopted a policy of upgrading the cycle parking facilities at many of its busy stations. It has done this in partnership with a range of local authorities, Transport for London and the Department for Transport. Thanks to this key station investment there are now cycle racks and shelters, often covered by CCTV, for hundreds of cycles.
The judges praised SWT’s positive and successful policy of providing high quality installations at many large commuter stations throughout one of the UK’s busiest commuter networks.
Train Operator of the Year
Winner
First ScotRail
First ScotRail has clearly and consistently demonstrated an all round commitment to encouraging the integrated use of cycles and trains. It has used imaginative and innovative means of getting people out of their cars and has many members of staff who are clearly driven by the desire to offer excellent customer service.
First ScotRail is a worthy winner of the Train Operator of the Year category, said the judges. They noted that they had been nominated in many categories by individual people and by user groups and were clearly going in the right direction.
People Award
Winner
Juliet Donnachie,
Station Manager, Edinburgh Waverley
Juliet has played a leading role on behalf of Network Rail in the success of ‘The Bike Station’ – a local community project that collects damaged or in need of repair cycles and puts them back into use.
Juliet led the work to turn premises at Waverley into a workshop. She also actively supported the provision of a cyclists’ notice board, a newsletter and free parking for bike drop-offs and has helped get her own staff and those of other companies to support the project through volunteer times and materials. So successful, the workshop is now moving to bigger premises. Juliet has pledged to continue to provide support.
The judges said that Juliet had shown clear and considerable personal commitment and dedication to ‘The Bike Station’ that went well beyond the bounds of her job. She has played a key role in the success of the project, a fact that has been recognised by the nominations for this award.
Station of the Year
Winner
Havant
South West Trains’ Havant station is the culmination of 18 months and 2 phases of work. It has delivered the Hayling Billy link, has tripled the station’s cycle parking and introduced improved CCTV and cycle shelters. The project has involved local community consultation, and partnerships with Hayling Borough Council and Hampshire County Council.
The Havant project, which provides facilities for commuters and tourists, represents a total investment of £300,000 for a coherent route and station package.
Havant station and the opening to cyclists of the Hayling Billy route is an excellent example, the judges said, of how clear thinking, planning and partnerships can deliver a successful community project.
