A hub for people to store their bikes securely in Reading town centre has been scrapped in favour of other cycle security projects across the town.
Back in 2022, Reading Borough Council unveiled and approved a project for a cycle hub in the town centre.
It would have provided 82 secure cycle parking spaces, a bike loan scheme and a repair work desk at a vacant unit at the Primark offices in West Street.
However, Primark revoked permission to use the unit in September 2023.
The council has now explained what has happened to project two years on.
A spokesperson said: “The funding for the Cycle Hub on West Street was awarded by Active Travel England (ATE).
“Following the decision by Primark to withdraw the the offer of use of its premises, and the council not being able to find an alternative premises within the time frame of the funding, the money allocated to the cycle hub was reallocated to the council’s wider Active Travel Capability Programme in agreement with ATE.
“This has included delivering other cycle security measures in the town centre such as refurbishing the Reading Station northern interchange cycle hub by repairing the cycle racks and missing panels and lighting, as well as giving the facility a deep clean.
“The funding has also been used on a pilot scheme for the introduction of more secure cycle pods at various locations across the town centre.
“We are also planning to run a pilot project introducing a small number of cycle hangars across Reading, to provide secure cycle parking for residents who do not have space to park the bicycles in their homes.
“Within our Reading Transport Strategy 2040, in the schemes and initiatives, we have cycle parking mobility hubs and facilities with the provision of covered cycle hubs at transport interchanges and other locations.
However, the spokesperson indicated that the council has not wholesale abandoned a plan for a cycle hub.
They explained: “While the council is not actively pursuing a new premises for a cycle hub at present, secure cycle parking remains a key objective of the Transport Strategy and we continue to be committed to delivering initiatives that support safer and more secure cycle storage across the town, through a variety of measures.
“The council is continuing to explore alternative options to deliver these facilities, including through the planning process, which may be the most likely to bring long term success.
“By securing a permanent venue that can be delivered as part of a wider development and with potential contributions from the developers or other sources, we hope to ensure the long-term viability of the facility.
“Any future scheme would consider key factors, including accessibility and suitability.
“The inclusion of e-bikes and e-scooters could be considered, however that would need to take into account the fire risk associated with these devices and the legality of the use of e-scooters on public land.”
