Let the cycle take the strain to ease problems

DOES Royston station need more car parking, or would it be better for Royston s rail commuters to think a little more carefully about how they reach the station? Commuters may be celebrating the decision to provide more station car parking, but what about

DOES Royston station need more car parking, or would it be better for Royston's rail commuters to think a little more carefully about how they reach the station?

Commuters may be celebrating the decision to provide more station car parking, but what about the effects on other people?

More people driving to the station means more traffic on the roads, at a time when they are already at their busiest.

This is not a good result for anybody.

Why do people feel the need to drive to their local station?

Royston is a small town. The furthest point is no more than five minutes cycle ride or 15 minutes walk from the station. The entire station catchment lies within a 15 minute cycle ride.

Parking for 200 people arriving by bike takes up the same amount of space as a mere 14 people arriving by car.

There is no need for anybody to drive to the station, and doing so contributes to the many, well publicised problems that too much motor traffic brings - congestion, air pollution, danger, community severance, health problems, noise, light pollution.

So come on, citizens of Royston, leave the car at home and walk or cycle to the station instead.

It will do you good, you will feel better for it, and you will make your home town a nicer place to live.

ALASDAIR DV MASSIE

Cyclist Touring Club Right to Ride representative

North Herts