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Cyclists can now lock-up their bikes thanks to a new secure shelter, which opened today in Weymouth Town Centre.

The secure compound at Westham Bridge, Weymouth, has been installed by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council with funding from Dorset County Council.

Councillor Christine James, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Brief Holder for Transport and Infrastructure, said: “This is a great facility. It allows cyclists to be confident that their bikes are secure. “I hope facilities like this will make things a bit easier for cyclists, as we are keen to encourage cycling and greener ways of getting around. “If it is a success, we will hopefully be able to install more secure cycle compounds in the future.”

It was paid for by Dorset County Council out of the £2.4 million it received from the Government’s Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF). It should accommodate 20 bikes. Plans for the new compound were drawn-up after a temporary one, installed during the Olympics, was a success. The extra cycle parking in the town centre proved a huge hit, trebling the number of people travelling by bike and helping to reduce road congestion.

Dorset County Council’s Cabinet member for Environment Hilary Cox said: “The idea for the shelter came from Anne Neale and Ken Reid of the Dorset Cyclist’s Network (DCN) and Cyclists Touring Club (CTC), who applied for one of our LSTF community grants. “We were very keen to support the project, which builds on the legacy of the 2012 Games, when 6,000 bicycles parked at the secure cycle parking facility at Westham Bridge.”

Mike Andrews, owner of Westham Cycles on Abbotsbury Road, welcomed the move. He said: “Anything that improves security for cyclists is great. We are pleased that this new compound will be opening. “It is good to have separate facilities for cyclists, away from cars. It helps create an independent cycling hub. This is important to the cycling community and helps reinforce our identity as cyclists.”

Cyclists can apply for fobs for the new secure compound for a £25 deposit. These computerised fobs record when the compound is accessed for extra security. Inside the compound there are bike racks so people can secure their cycles. The facility is in a well lit area which is covered by CCTV. Anyone interested can apply for a fob online at www.dorsetforyou.com/securecycling/weymouth  Or contact Weymouth and Portland Borough Council on 01305 838000.