Using green and healthy travel modes to get to Kings Norton rail station has never been easier for passengers after it was officially named the West Midlands first eco-friendly station.
Transport authority Centro and rail company London Midland have been working together with Network Rail, Birmingham City Council and local bus operators to create a bespoke travel plan for people using the station.
The initiative, which is one of 24 pilot schemes across England, aims to put better facilities in place for people who would like to get to the station using environmentally friendly modes like walking, cycling, car sharing or on the bus.
Features will include Real Time bus information inside the station, walking and cycling routes with enhanced lighting and CCTV, new cycle storage and improved signage in and around the station for pedestrians and cyclists alike.
The package of environmentally friendly improvements, which have been decided on following consultation with stakeholders and local passengers, will be brought in over the next two years.
They are being officially launched at the start of National Bike Week on Monday (15 June 2009) when promotional staff will be at the station giving out cycling goody bags to bike riders and information packs to commuters during the morning peak. An expert will also be on hand to provide local cycle route information.
Cllr Tim Huxtable, Lead Member for Rail & Rapid Transit Operations at Centro said: “This pilot travel plan at Kings Norton is a great way to encourage people to choose healthy, environmentally friendly, congestion busting modes to get to the station and make their journey a sustainable one from start to finish.
“It also opens doors for people who don’t presently use the train because they cannot conveniently access the station, by putting in place the features and facilities needed to get there from a wider area without a car.”
Alex Hynes, Commercial Director at London Midland added: "It makes sense to use sustainable transport for economic and financial reasons. London Midland provides fast, reliable, inexpensive, green and integrated transport.
“We are investing hundreds of millions in improvements to stations and a fleet of brand new air conditioned trains so we are delighted to work with Centro in promoting sustainable ways to travel.”
Kings Norton presently has cycle storage lockers and hoops for people who would like to give getting to the station by bike a go during National Bike Week. Details of cycle storage at Kings Norton and all stations in the West Midlands can be viewed at www.networkwestmidlands.com/cyclestorage.
All cyclists need to do to apply for their own cycle locker is fill out a form (available online or from the station booking office) and pay a £10 refundable deposit.
