Residents and visitors in Beaulieu will soon benefit from new secure cycle hangars, providing a safe and convenient place to park their bikes at two popular community locations.
The installation aims to make active travel choices, such as walking and cycling, a safe and easy option for many everyday journeys and marks the completion of a number of small infrastructure projects made possible by Homes England’s Garden Communities Local Infrastructure Funding.
New cycle storage in popular local locations
The two new cycle hangars are the latest addition to active travel facilities in the neighbourhood, helping people to travel easily using a convenient, connected and inclusive cycle network and support the ambitions of the council’s Cycling Charter.
The FalcoPod hangars provide robust, secure cycle storage in places that residents and visitors use regularly. The first is located next to the pavilion and car park at Beaulieu Park Sports Ground, a key green space used by residents with a popular floodlit multi-use court and facilities for cricket and football. The second hangar can be found at Beaulieu Square, on the paved area next to the Sainsbury’s Local store. This busy neighbourhood hub offers a range of community facilities, including shops, a doctor’s surgery and Beaulieu Community Centre.
The bike hangars are free for residents and visitors to use. Spaces can be booked through the ParkMyBike app.
Projects to enhance active travel options in Beaulieu
In addition to the new bike hangars, the Homes England funding has also supported three other small infrastructure projects in Beaulieu:
Upgraded surfacing on a section of Bridleway 18 between Beaulieu and Channels. The route connects with the Pegasus crossing on Essex Regiment Way, which has also been resurfaced.
A new shared footway and cycleway between Barn Green, Springfield and Beaulieu, together with a toucan crossing on White Hart Lane.
An application to extend the Voi e-scooter operational area to include Beaulieu and Channels, enabling a new Traffic Regulation Order to be published.
Speaking about the benefits these improvements can bring to local communities, Councillor Terry Sherlock, Cabinet Deputy for Economy and Sustainable Transport, said:
“We want local people to have a genuine choice in how they get around, and we can support that by providing safe and accessible walking, cycling and public transport facilities. We already have great cycle storage options at Beaulieu Park station, and the addition of these new hangars will make travelling through the neighbourhood by bike even easier. Small but meaningful improvements to facilities can make a real difference, helping people to access local services, connect with their community and choose more active and sustainable ways to travel.”
Cllr Terry Sherlock, Cabinet Deputy for Economy and Sustainable Transport
Connected cycling routes
Beaulieu is one the first neighbourhoods built as part of Chelmsford Garden Community. The latest infrastructure upgrades build on an extensive network of active travel options across these new communities. Cyclists can explore a series of resin-bound or tarmacked paths created to connect Beaulieu Park station to existing routes from Channels, Springfield, Beaulieu and Chelmer Village. The newest routes in Beaulieu include paths around the boundaries of the Great Park and Beaulieu Park Recreation Ground.
Downloadable maps with details of all the routes are available on the Chelmsford City Council website.
