'Tired, old, and smells of urine' call for Worcester Foregate Station cycle storage improvements

The cycle storage area at the Worcester station has been described as "completely inadequate" by campaign group Bike Worcester, whose chairman is now calling for investment.

In a tweet the campaign group shared a video of the bike racks outside the station writing: "Not suitable for non-standard cycles (handcycles, trikes, cargo bikes)

"Dirty and smells of urine.

"Poorly lit at night (warm LED lighting, please). Women say they don’t feel safe."

Ian Murray was among those to support the tweet, writing: "'I've deliberately not used it, walking and taking the bus, using a different station and not using the train at all, rather than leave my bike there for hours."

Danny Brothwell, chairman of the group, said: "It is one that has been around for while - improvements are needed there.

"There are different bikes it doesn't cater for. It is pretty old and tired.

"I go past and it is full, I don't think there is enough spaces.

"I'm honest to say it is something I would never lock my bike because I wouldn't trust it.

"It is a bit of an unsavoury spot.

"Yet Birmingham New Street has just opened a new cycle storage area, all shiny and new, and looks similar to the one at Crowngate."

The storage area is responsibility of West Midlands Railway, which manages the station.

A West Midlands Railway spokesman said: “We are fully committed to encouraging sustainable modes of transport wherever possible and have made significant investment in cycling facilities across our network.

“Improvements to the lighting at Worcester Foregate Street are planned as part of major upgrade works at the station and CCTV covering the bike storage area has already been installed.

“The existing dual-height storage system ensures we can cater for as many bikes as possible in the limited space available but we are happy to consider to the feasibility of alternative suggestions.”