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Foundations are laid for Boris's bike hire bays
Ruth Bloomfield10 Dec 2009
The first docking stations for Mayor Boris Johnson's cycle-hire scheme are being installed in central London.
Workmen have fenced off two sections of pavement in Hampstead Road, between Camden Town and Euston, to turn them into cycle bays.
Four hundred hire stands with space for more than 10,000 bikes will be installed across Zone 1 before the scheme's launch next summer.
The work is being carried out by Serco, which runs the Docklands Light Railway and has a £140million, six-year deal to run the scheme.
There have been some high-profile refusals - the Corporation of London objects to a stand near St Paul's Cathedral and Islington has knocked back proposals for a stand in the street where Mr Johnson lives. But a Transport for London spokeswoman said the project was proceeding according to plan.
"We are making excellent progress. We've received planning permission for more than three-quarters of the 400 docking stations," she said.
Work has begun on seven sites, three in Hackney and four in Camden. TfL applied for permission for more docking stations than it needed in the event of some being turned down.
As well as racks for between 15 and 30 bikes, the bays will include maps and a card reader for users to pay with Oyster-style swipe cards.
Reader views (2)
Excellent work Boris, you really are the best mayor London has ever had.
- Mark, London, 10/12/2009 15:48
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"The work is being carried out by Serco"
Who also run the Woolwich Ferry, noted for often having only one boat operating in recent months since Serco took over.
"a card reader for users to pay with Oyster-style swipe cards."
Not actual Oyster cards, however, a major flaw in the scheme, although an understandable one.
- Tom, London, UK, 10/12/2009 14:37
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