CYCLISTS using York Railway Station have been given a major boost with news that a new “cycle hub” is to be created.

The fully supervised development will offer a range of facilities including secure covered parking, cycle hire, information, retail and repairs.

It is part of a £14 million package of measures announced yesterday by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis to transform facilities for cyclists at rail stations and encourage healthier, greener travel.

“The aim of the programmes announced today is to boost the significant number of people cycling to catch their train,” he said.

“This will tackle congestion, promote rail travel and help people develop healthier lifestyles and protect the environment. Although half of us own a bike and 60 per cent live only 15 minutes from a train station, only two per cent of train passengers travel to the station by bike.”

A spokesman for National Express East Coast, which is responsible for York station, welcomed the announcement.

“York station is already a popular Park&Ride location for hundreds of cyclists each day,” he said. “The creation of a ‘cycle hub’ at York will provide an additional incentive to combine two of the most environmentally friendly forms of transport, reducing congestion and making travel easier.”