Sheffield, 20 May 2025 — East Midlands Railway (EMR) has completed a £71,700 upgrade of Sheffield Station’s cycle hub, adding capacity, safety features, and inclusive design elements that encourage greener, integrated travel. A further £7,500 grant from the Railway Heritage Trust supported the works, which have transformed one of the UK’s largest station-based cycle hubs into a modern, user-centred facility.
Major Investment Expands Secure Cycle Parking
The two-level hub now provides 452 secure parking spaces, making it the most heavily used cycle facility on the EMR network. Refurbishment included full redecoration, anti-slip flooring on the lower level, and refreshed toilet and changing areas, ensuring a cleaner, safer environment for daily commuters and leisure riders alike.
Design for All Riders
To accommodate a wide range of cycles, EMR installed bi-folding entrance doors and four Sheffield Stand cycle hoops set aside for family bikes, cargo bikes, and adapted cycles. A new lift complements the step-free routes already in place, improving accessibility for passengers with larger or non-standard bicycles.
Safety and Convenience Upgrades
Key security and user-experience enhancements include:
- 24-hour CCTV coverage
- Fob-controlled access
- A customer information screen displaying real-time train data
- A cycle repair stand, way-finding signage, and a community noticeboard
Together, these features create a reliable, easy-to-navigate space that supports last-mile connections to rail services.
Community and Heritage Collaboration
During the renovation, EMR removed abandoned bikes and donated them to A Different Gear, a Sheffield-based social enterprise that refurbishes cycles for community projects, keeping usable equipment out of landfill. Tim Hedley-Jones, Director at the Railway Heritage Trust, praised the scheme for “using historic station space productively to promote active travel.”
Stakeholder Endorsement
Local transport advocates have welcomed the relaunch:
- Hope Valley Railway Users Group highlighted the facility’s free, secure access for day-trippers bound for the Peak District.
- Railfuture Yorkshire described the hub as “another welcome step towards making active travel a real possibility for many.”
- The South Yorkshire Transport Forum called the upgrade “a fantastic step forward in supporting last-mile connectivity across our city.”
Louisa Motsumi, Sheffield Area Manager at EMR, added: “This investment makes it easier than ever to choose sustainable ways to reach the station, helping reduce congestion, lower emissions and support healthier lifestyles.”
