Bike and parking hub approved despite scepticism

A £4.1m project to encourage cycling and using buses has been approved despite scepticism it will actually be used.

The Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk's planning committee approved the travel hub at Nar Ouse Way on the southern edge of King's Lynn at the Enterprise Park.

More than 230 parking spaces will be created as well as two bus stops and secure storage for 48 bicycles, showers and changing rooms.

But while there was support, some councillors questioned whether it was in the right location and that few people would benefit.

At the meeting earlier, independent councillor Alun Ryves said he was "struggling to understand who is going to use it", arguing that creating a travel hub closer to the centre of town would be more beneficial.

The idea is that people may choose to drive to the site, then cycle or walk into the town centre.

Traffic is an issue in King's Lynn, particularly to the south of the town.

The showers, changing rooms and other facilities would be accessible through a paid membership scheme.

Officers reminded councillors that questions over whether anyone would use it were immaterial and that they needed to make a decision on planning grounds.

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There is also concern from cycling campaigners, who worry the layout of the travel hub could be unsafe and that there was a lack of marked crossings for people walking and cycling between the hub.

But officers said Norfolk County Council's highways department had not raised any objection.

There was also lots of support for the project.

Earlier in the meeting, Kerry Heathcote, the vice principal of the college of West Anglia, said safe cycle storage was the "biggest barrier" to cyclists visiting King's Lynn.

Green Party councillor Tom De Whalley said the council "should not look at a gift horse in the mouth".

Ultimately, councillors voted to approve the project, with nine votes for, one against and three abstentions.

The scheme is funded through part of the £25m it received as part of the Town Deal programme, with some of the money required to be spent by September.

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