Rail carriage used by bike hire firm to be removed from Greenway in Stratford
THE cycle hire railway carriage on the Greenway will be removed and scrapped tomorrow (Friday).
The landmark carriage, which has been at the site for over 15 years, hired out Pashley bicycles, disabled bikes and trikes to residents and visitors but tomorrow marks the end of an era when a heavy rail haulage tractor will remove the carriage by winching it onto the back of a trailer. The neighbouring carriage, which houses Bobby’s Café, will remain in place and operate as normal as will the railway carriage situated at Milcote.
It’s a sad day for Wayne Vickers who is the owner of the current cycle hire business. He told the Herald: “I’ve enjoyed a good relationship with Warwickshire County Council throughout the last 15 years but in November the lease was up for renewal and the council wanted a 75 per cent increase in the ground rent. When I challenged this they decided not to renew my lease and I was told I would have to bid to retain the business. At that point I decided not to continue. I have fought really hard to try to keep the carriage in place and for a new bidder to retain it as a part of the Greenway railway heritage, but unfortunately the council refused to let them keep it. They want to use containers instead.”
Mr Vickers said some of his famous guests have included footballer Dion Dublin and actor/presenter Les Dennis plus many RSC actors.
“There is a brighter lining to the cloud and that is the cycle hire business will move to the caravan park on the Tiddington Road. I’ve loved working at the Greenway but I can now have some more time with the family and it was time to call it a day,” Mr Vickers said.
Warwickshire County Council said: “The former railway carriage belongs to the previous cycle hire business and is not required by the new business who are planning to operate from a different style of venue, at ground level, to be more accessible and inviting to visitors.
“The outgoing cycle hire business reached the end of its lease on the Greenway. As with any end of lease, we took the opportunity to review the overall offer and the potential that the site offered. We carried out an open market competition to ensure the cycle hire offers the best possible service to our visitors and best value to the taxpayer, whilst ensuring they pay a fair market rent.”
