Former railway station waiting room becomes Sale Metrolink cycle hub

The disused station waiting room next to Sale Metrolink stop has been ‘re-cycled’ as a hub for bikes. Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) opened the new facility after working with Sale Civic Society to restore the Victorian building.

Funded by the Department for Transport’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund, the new cycle hub offers 52 secure cycle parking spaces with lockers for storage of cycle helmets and other accessories. Security measures include swipe card entry and CCTV coverage.

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Membership is available from £10 a year and also allows access to other Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) cycle hubs, except for those at City Tower in Manchester city centre and at MediaCityUK which require ‘premium’ membership. More cycle hubs are planned for East Didsbury, Hollinwood, Irlam, Stockport and Rochdale in 2016.

Councillor Chris Paul, Cycling Champion for the TfGM Committee, said:

“It’s great to see new life breathed into the former station building, which has a unique look quite unlike any of our other cycle hubs. Sale’s cycle hub couldn’t be better located – right next to the tram stop in the town centre.

“We hope it will encourage people to cycle part of their commute and continue their journey by tram or bus. The cycle hubs are just part of a much wider investment in cycling aimed at cutting car use, reducing congestion and helping people to lead healthier, more active lifestyles.”

The former railway station waiting rooms opened in 1849 but had been out of use since 1991 when the line was closed and converted to Metrolink. The large 1st and 2nd class waiting areas have been combined to create the hub.

Michael Riley of Sale Civic Society commented:

“We’re delighted to see the former station waiting room brought back into use and particularly pleased that TfGM has taken a sympathetic approach to restoring it.

“It has a modern, industrial look, with exposed brick walls, and a beautiful restored original Victorian fireplace is a nice reminder of the room’s past. We hope that the former porter’s room could also be brought back into use as a commercial outlet in the future.”