Clitheroe town centre could get new cycle storage facilities costing £10,000, using money from a housing developer and suggestions from local transport campaigners.

Half price stall offer aims to boost Clitheroe Market

The town’s railway station and market area have been earmarked for potential new cycle storage ‘boxes’. These offer better security for mountain bikes and electric bikes.

Ribble Valley Council has drawn-up some options and councillors on the planning committee will consider these this month. Suggested locations are near the Platform art gallery outside Clitheroe railway station and near the Blueberries cafe on New Market Street, next to the market.

Image: Ribble Valley Council report. LDRS partner approved.

The £10,000 is linked to an agreement for planning permission for 110 homes on land off Henthorn Road, Clitheroe. The money was received by the council in 2021 and needs to be spent by August 2026, according to a new report for the planning committee.

The report states: “Following a discussion with the Activate Clitheroe group, their suggestion for this contribution was the installation of new cycle boxes in the town centre. E-bikes tend to cost significantly more than standard push-bikes. Their batteries are expensive and can be targets for thieves, hence the increasing demand for more secure forms of cycle storage.

“Regarding locations, the other factors that need consideration are lighting and visibility, particularly for vulnerable users. One suggestion was the installation of cycle boxes near Clitheroe the train station. Blackburn Council has recently installed bike boxes near Blackburn station

“Activate Clitheroe has said many e-bikes are derived from mountain bikes. These tend to be taller, longer and wider than standard push-bikes. Based on the location outside the Platform Gallery at Clitheroe station, there is enough space for at least one box with a public bench relocated slightly. This is similar to the space next to Blueberries cafe at the market.”

The council has also allocated £19,000 from a developer to Clitheroe Town Council for improvements to a children’s playground at Chester Avenue. The work has been completed and a final allocation of £2,790 remains to be approved to the town council. The cash stems from a development of 42 homes off Milton Avenue, Clitheroe.

The Activate Clitheroe group campaigns for better walking, cycling and ‘wheeling’ infrastructure around the town. Some members have spoken at Ribble Valley Council meetings regarding planning applications such as the United Utilities HGV marshalling yard proposed for the Pimlico Link Road, near the A59.

They have called for investment in schemes to benefit the community, such as paths and cycleways. One aim is to create a circuit for pedestrians, cyclists, buggy and wheelchair users around the town.

The group’s priorities include making it easier and safer for children to walk or cycle to school. encouraging shoppers to walk or cycle into Clitheroe town centre and supporting more local, smaller shops. It also wants to encouraging employers to offer staff incentives for walking or cycling to work. Also to explore options for part-pedestrianisation of Clitheroe town centre, more car parking spaces on the edge and more events.