Scottish rail companies scoop most pro-bike awards

The awards, judged by a panel of independent experts, recognise the best train operator, station, local government initiatives, cycle parking and facilities, information provision, the most innovative schemes and the best people.

Tom Harris, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, presented the ATOC National Cycle-Rail Awards in London on Tuesday.
He said: ”The increased number of entries and nominations received from all over Britain for this year’ awards revealed the sheer scale of the often unheralded work being carried out by rail organisations to promote the integration of cycling and rail travel across the network.
“That work includes a range of initiatives from large scale and long-term projects to smaller single station works. The increasing support of the awards is helping to develop the National Cycle Rail Awards as the showcase for the very best in the integration of bikes and trains.”
George Muir, ATOC’ Director General, said:
“Much is being achieved to integrate bike and train but we recognise the need to maintain momentum and do yet more. All involved with the awards wish to continue to recognise and reward improvement – and to incentivise yet more improvements that make rail easier for cyclists to use.”

The winners of the ATOC National Cycle-Rail Awards 2006 were:
Customer Service Excellence – First ScotRail
Highly commended – Gatwick Express
Best Local Government Contribution (sponsored by Cycling England) – Reigate and Banstead Borough Council
Highly commended – Essex County Council
Most Innovative Approach to Cycle-Rail Integration – South West Trains
Highly commended – Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive (GMPTE) for the Bike Locker Users Club
Best Provision of Cycle-Rail Information – ‘Off the Rails’ rail-bike hire company
Cycle Parking Provision – Transport for London, Finsbury Park Cycle Park
Highly commended – South West Trains
Person of the Year – Juliet Donnachie, Station Manager, Edinburgh Waverley
Station of the Year – Havant
Train Operator of the Year – First ScotRail