Cycle Hub within award-winning New Market Parking opens on 15 December

Chester’s first indoor cycle parking space will be opened by Cheshire West and Chester Council within the New Market Parking, with the first 30 access cards available for free, normally costing £10 each.

Following a successful bid to the Council’s Climate Emergency Capital Fund, the indoor Cycle Hub has been incorporated into the entry level of the new Market Parking on Hunter Street multi-storey car park. constructed as part of the new Northgate Phase 1 development in Chester city centre and which opened in late October.

The new car park was recently granted a Park Mark Safer Parking Award, a national scheme to provide police accredited levels of surveillance, quality and lighting.

The Cycle Hub will be open daily from 6:30am to 11:30pm and includes CCTV, security and access controls and the following facilities:

• 56 cycle racks
• 20 spaces for scooter parking
• 1 cycle repair station with pump, allen keys, tools and elevated stand
• 3 accessible cycle parking hoops
• 7 free electric cycle charging points with 3 pin plugs
• Dedicated access route away from vehicles.

Anyone wishing to use the Cycle Hub can pay a one-off £10 fee for an access card, available from the car park office within the New Market Parking to the right of the entrance.

The free access cards will be available from 2pm – 5pm on Thursday 15 December onwards on a first come basis, and thereafter cards can only be bought from 2pm each day.

To buy an access card or apply for a free card, users will need to bring proof of identification and card payments only will be accepted. A £10 charge will apply for replacing lost, damaged or stolen cards.

Only one access card per user will be allocated, whether free or paid for, and more passes will be available than there are Cycle Hub spaces so a card will not guarantee a cycle parking space at busy times.

As well as the Cycle Hub, outdoor cycle parking facilities for 50 cycles have been installed across the Northgate scheme for more casual cycle parking including Exchange Square, Princess Street and Hunter Street. A cycle gully has also been installed within the steps at the east end of Princess Street or riders can use the lift adjacent to the steps.

In addition, a cycle-only ‘contra-flow’ lane has been installed along Hunter Street to enable cyclists to turn right out of the car park to access Northgate Street.

Councillor Richard Beacham, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Growth, Economy and Regeneration, said: “Being able to offer cyclists a more secure and purpose-built cycle parking facility has been a long-held ambition; I hope it will become a well-used facility and increase the number of cyclists opting to travel more sustainably into the city centre.”

Stephen Perry of the Chester Cycling Campaign said: “We are very pleased to have been consulted on the Cycle Hub design and offer our advice on how best to offer a variety of cycle racks suitable for a wide range of users; we too hope it will encourage more journeys to be taken by bike.”

Where is the Cycle Hub?
Located with the New Market Parking on Hunter Street, Chester CH1 2AR on the entrance level.

How do I get a free access card?
The first 30 free access cards will be available from 2pm – 5pm on Thursday 15 December 2022, or any day onwards after 2pm on a first come basis, one access card application per person, please bring proof of identification. Available from the car park office within the New Market Parking to the right of the entrance.

How do I buy an access card to use the Cycle Hub?
Anyone wishing to use the Cycle Hub can pay a one-off £10 fee for an access card, available from the car park office within the New Market Parking to the right of the entrance any time after 2pm. To buy an access card please bring proof of identification and card payments only will be accepted.

Can I apply for more than one access card?
No, only one access card per user will be allocated – whether free or paid for.

Will an access card guarantee a space in the Cycle Hub?
No, more access cards will be made available than there are Cycle Hub spaces so a card will not guarantee a cycle parking space at busy times.

What are the opening times and capacity?
The Cycle Hub will be open daily from 6:30am to 11:30pm and includes CCTV, security and access controls and the following facilities:

• 56 cycle racks
• 20 spaces for scooter parking
• 1 cycle repair station with pump, Allen keys, tools and elevated stand
• 3 accessible cycle parking hoops
• 7 free electric cycle charging points with 3 pin plugs

What happens if I lose my access card?
A £10 charge will apply for replacing lost, damaged or stolen cards.

How can I gain access?
Admission to the Cycle Hub is limited only to users in possession of a valid access card. Please use your card on the contactless senor on the unit to the right of the entrance, not the ticket slot. Users who suffer from arm and/or back injuries should not use the two-tier cycle racks.

Is the Cycle Hub secure?
Although CCTV is in operation for security and safety; parking and charging is entirely at your own risk, please ensure your cycle is locked securely to the racks. Buy the best quality lock you can afford, ideally a D lock to secure your cycle. Cycle Hub users are responsible for procuring and maintaining an appropriate level of insurance cover for their property.

Users are responsible for ensuring that their cycles are parked securely within the Cycle Hub using their own lock and removable items (such as lights and saddles) are not left unsecured. Cheshire West and Chester Council does not accept responsibility for loss, injury or damage, however caused.

Will my access card use be monitored?
The parking service will be able to check each card’s usage in line with the Council’s privacy policy and to check the access system is functioning correctly.

Is there a limit on how long cycles can be left in the Hub?
The Cycle Hub is designed for occasional and daily parking not long term cycle storage; the Council reserves the right to remove any cycles left for long periods without use.

Pictured - Cllr Richard Beacham, left with Stephen Perry, Chester Cycling Campaign.