A plan to boost cycling in King’s Lynn by building a new town centre cycling hub offering riders secure parking, lockers and a repair station appears to have been shut down over fears of “potential conflict between car and cycle users”.

Somewhat bizarrely, West Norfolk Council’s assessment that the location was “unsuitable” and the facilities “would be of poor design” is a comment aimed at its own proposal, the local authority issuing its own project with a refusal notice, according to a local reporter at the Eastern Daily Press.

A few years ago, the council was pleased to back its project to boost cycling in the town, Cllr Sam Sandell claiming “supporting more sustainable ways for people to travel is a priority”.

The cycle hub, featuring secure parking for bikes, e-bike charging, lockers, scooter racks, a repair stand and CCTV, was cited as evidence of “a step forward in delivering our [the council’s] ambitions to support more environmentally friendly modes of travel”.

The proposal also came with the backing of a resident survey which, in 2020, found that 86 per cent of respondents thought cycle storage could be improved in the town centre.

However, fast forward to March 2026 and West Norfolk Council has issued its own proposal with a refusal notice.

“The proposed travel hub is considered to be sited in an unsuitable location, causing potential conflict between car and cycle users and the facilities would be of poor design,” it states.

One significant issue with the location, also commonly cited by cyclists commenting on the proposal, was that one of its main approaches was the pedestrianised high street, where cycling is banned.

Another nearby route, Queen Street, was said to be narrow, and there were concerns expressed about cyclists having to use the car park to access the hub, and make a lengthy detour around the town’s one-way system if travelling north from the hub.

The Eastern Daily Press reported that King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Bicycle Users Group pointed out one exit from the proposed building led onto a blind corner, while the double-storey bike rack design touted for use (as commonly seen at station bike parking facilities around the UK, and often criticised) also attracted comments.

King’s Lynn Civic Society concluded that “although reasonably close to High Street, it is actually not very easy to cycle to”.

“We are sceptical that this is the most suitable cycle infrastructure project to assist that goal or that this current costly application will result in a popular and well used facility,” the group said.

A second hub was planned on the edge of town also, the council proposing people could drive and park at that location before cycling into town, however the town centre cycle hub appears to now be off the table completely.