A cycle parking hub at a train station for up to 415 bicycles has officially been opened.

St Albans MP Daisy Cooper was on hand to open the hub at St Albans City station last week.

Station operator Thameslink says the hub is fenced-off, is covered by increased CCTV, and can only be accessed by a fob which riders can register for, for free at the ticket office.

St Albans & Harpenden Review: Credit: Andy BuckleyCredit: Andy Buckley

St Albans station manager Harsitt Chandak said: "As we emerge from the pandemic and people start travelling again, we want to help them choose the greenest options, by taking the train and getting to our stations sustainably.

"Jointly, by making small but important changes such as this at St Albans, we can together with our passengers and local communities make a real difference for our planet and the generations to come."

St Albans & Harpenden Review: CCTV cameras at the cycle parking hub. Credit: Andy BuckleyCCTV cameras at the cycle parking hub. Credit: Andy Buckley

The hub has been funded by the Department for Transport’s cycle rail fund, being managed by the sustainable transport charity Sustrans, with further funding from Hertfordshire County Council.

Mrs Cooper, who was joined ward councillor Jacquie Taylor and representatives from St Albans Cycling Campaign, Sustrans, Bedford & Herts Community Rail Partnership, the county council and British Transport Police, said: "I was delighted to open the new cycle hub at St Albans station. We must do all we can to encourage people to change the way they travel to more sustainable modes such as cycling, walking and using the bus.

"This new hub will give people greater reassurance that their bikes will be safer at the station."