The team giving abandoned bikes a new lease of life

1 hour ago

Tom Jackson,in Huntingdonand

Aimee Dexter

News image — Robert Bierton said the workshop had repaired more than 4,000 bikes in 10 years

Tom Jackson/BBC Robert Bierton is standing on the right. He has short dark blonde hair and is wearing a black T-shirt with a graphic on it, a red tartan shirt and a blue lanyard. He is leaning on a bike which is on the left. — Robert Bierton said the workshop had repaired more than 4,000 bikes in 10 years

A bike repair workshop is giving abandoned bikes a new lease of life - as well as teaching people valuable skills.

The TAG Bike Workshop in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, refurbishes second-hand cycles which have been abandoned at train stations and sells them on to the public, as well offering them to schemes and charities.

It has been supported by Govia Thameslink Railway for about seven years, and is staffed by adults with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Robert Bierton, who runs the workshop, said: "About 70% of bicycles we give to the general public and 30% to schemes, which is why these bikes are so important from Thameslink and Great Northern."

Tom Jackson/BBC A person is holding a wheel of a bike and is using a tool to tighten a screw. The person is on the left and is wearing a blue jumper with a navy T-shirt over the top which says TAG BIKES. — The workshop in Huntingdon was set up 10 years ago

The workshop is part of Cambridgeshire County Council's Supporting into Work programme, which is based at the town's community centre.

It helps learners develop a wide range of employability, social and life skills whilst improving their confidence and independence.

Bierton said the project was set up in Huntingdon 10 years ago and in that time has completed repairs on more than 4,000 bikes.

On Wednesday, about 24 bikes were delivered on a truck for the team to repair.

Tom Jackson/BBC Robert Whitehead is standing on the left. He has short grey hair and a long grey beard. He is wearing black framed glasses, a black T-shirt and jacket, and green lanyards. He is standing in front of a white wall which has different colour fabrics and folders. — Robert Whitehead said the bikes were delivered from train stations

Robert Whitehead, community engagement manager for Thameslink and Great Northern, said all bikes came from train stations and arrived through "various different means".

"It is something that is really important for us, we want to contribute to the communities we serve, so donating these abandoned bikes are part of the community work we do," he added.