Mayor opens free bike and car park at Manea for greener travel

Mayor opens free bike and car park at Manea for greener travel

Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson, today cut the ribbon to open a new free-of-charge bike and car park for passengers at Manea Railway Station.

The new parking facility will help more Fenland residents to benefit from public transport links, cutting the long car journeys that many don’t want to take.

There are 100 parking spaces, disabled bays, a cycle shelter, CCTV, and low energy lighting.

It is one of many improvements for the Fenland stations of Manea, March and Whittlesea funded by £9.5 million from the Combined Authority and delivered through Fenland District Council’s Railway Station Masterplans scheme.

Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Dr Nik Johnson:

“This is a great example of what cooperative action between the Combined Authority and Fenland District Council can achieve – our investment in support of the council’s masterplan makes it easier for Fenland’s residents to travel by train, which, as well as being far better for the environment, brings regional and national opportunities within reach.”

Cllr Ben Bonos, Chairman of Manea Parish Council:

“The new car park isn’t just a fantastic facility for the station but for the whole village and the surrounding area. It will be a huge benefit to everyone here in Manea, particularly younger people. Investments such as this which complement public transport in rural areas help to give them better access to employment, training and other opportunities. Hopefully the completion of the car park will also accelerate the introduction of increased rail services from Manea.”

Cllr Chris Seaton, Fenland District Council’s lead for transport and Chairman of the Hereward Community Rail Partnership:

“The Manea Station car park is a testament to our commitment to providing top-notch facilities for our community and a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to enhance the region’s rail infrastructure.

“With record passenger numbers using the station, it is essential that we invest in infrastructure that not only meets current demands but also lays the foundation for a sustainable and efficient transportation network for years to come.”

The free car park has been open for passengers to use since August last year, but partners involved in the project gathered for its official opening by the Mayor on Friday, 26 January.

Jonathan Denby, Head of Corporate Affairs for Greater Anglia:

“We’re really pleased that the car park at Manea is now open, providing additional capacity to encourage more sustainable journeys on the rail network to/from Manea, using our comfortable and reliable new trains.

“Instead of having to drive to March, Ely or maybe even Peterborough, before catching the train, passengers can now make a more local trip to Manea and board the train there, thereby helping to reduce pollution and congestion.

“We would like to thank Fenland District Council and all the other partners involved in delivering this very positive project.”

Cllr Seaton added: “Manea Station car park is part of a long-term strategy to create demand for increased and improved rail services for Fenland and supports our ambitions for economic growth in the district through improved access to jobs, education and training, housing, and leisure.

“Now that the station boasts this crucial addition, the station is very much open to the wider area. People can park at Manea Station free-of-charge and travel easily to destinations near and far – not only Cambridge, Ely and Peterborough, but on to the wider country as many journeys from Manea are direct or only one change of train.”