A GOVERNMENT minister has officially opened a bespoke cycle hub at Brighton station.

Rail minister Baroness Kramer Brighton was given a guided tour of the station’s new £1.5m cycle hub on Thursday.

The new hub at the rear of the station has 500 secure cycle parking spaces.

A cycle repair workshop and a coffee shop will also open soon at the hub while work is being completed on spinning bike facilities, showers, changing rooms and accessible toilets. Office space for rent is also on offer for those who need it on a short-term basis.

The hub has been funded by the Department for Transport, Brighton and Hove City Council and Network Rail.

A further ten Sussex stations will receive improved cycle parking facilities in recently announced £1.5 million funding.

David Scorey, Southern’s deputy managing director, said: “This is our biggest and best cycle hub yet. Brighton station has long been in need of more cycle parking and what we now have is a high-quality comprehensive facility.”

Ian Davey, Brighton and Hove City Council’s lead member for transport, said: “Cycling to work in Brighton and Hove has more than doubled over the past four years and I hope these first class facilities will encourage more residents, commuters and visitors to choose cycling.”