Assessments previously carried out by Kent County Council’s highways department suggested that the brand should consider alternative options for those staff and visitors who “have no choice but to drive”. This prompted Brompton to last year open discussions with HS1 Ltd, the owner of the multi-storey facility previously used by Eurostar passengers, and the nearby Ashford Designer Outlet to see if the company can share their car parks. Under the travel plan drawn up for the site, no new parking spaces will be also created. Staff and visitors will instead be encouraged to cycle, walk, or use public transport to reach the factory, which will also have a visitors’ centre, museum, and café. Book an assessment – some of our repairs and services require booking a bike assessment as we’ll need to establish what part is required and may need to order in it.
Some simple repairs are quick and can sometimes be carried out on the spot whilst other repairs can require more time and possibly require a part ordering in. All bikes purchased kent electric bike from Halfords come with a 12-month warranty against manufacturing defects. Bikes purchased after 1 January 2018 also come with a
lifetime guarantee on frames and rigid forks.
Seems there is no proper understanding of what Brompton trying to achieve – though I get the idea that disabled access etc, for those not able to walk or cycle, should be addressed. The wheels use Schrader valves which I think is a great idea. This allows them to be inflated at petrol stations and with most bike pumps, saving the hassle of someone getting a Presta valve pump instead. The tyres as well offer a great balance to be used on tarmac and also compact gravel, allowing the rider to explore more and not be limited to just the asphalt.
There are mounts for bottle cages, mudguards and a kickstand – all you could possible need to attach to the bike. This makes it even more practical and ready for comfortable dry riding. The brakes a mechanical disc brakes which work absolutely fine. My only concern would be the ability for the average at-home mechanic to service and fix these should they go wrong, or to perform some basic maintenance along the way.
But it looks as if the potential for site users (employees) to drive and park elsewhere is the key issue. That could affect the strategic road network, local businesses and residences etc. That means that Highways England and the local planning authority need to work with Brompton to get the issue sorted. I see a great marketing opportunity being lost here where Brompton can’t have this car free environment, in spite of offering car parking nearby. Ryan joined road.cc in December 2021 and since then has kept the site’s readers and listeners informed and enthralled (well at least occasionally) on news, the live blog, and the road.cc Podcast. After boarding a wrong bus at the world championships and ruining a good pair of jeans at the cyclocross, he now serves as road.cc’s senior news writer.
If I were advising them, I’d be looking to give them the evidence to allay concerns about the network, while highlighting a clear narrative about any car-centric biases within the planning system. It was Kent County Council’s highways department that said they must make provision for people who have no choice but to drive. Ive stayed in that hotel and while its odd, you definitely wont want to leave on foot. On game days though kent bayside cruiser they provide shuttles etc. so its no different to a park and ride, only you can sleep and eat there too. “There has been a global realisation post-pandemic that we need to change how we live in our cities, to design them around the people that live in them, not the automobile. Brompton has a large part to play in supporting that transition, but we need to have more space to innovate and create the products of the future.
If you wish to proceed we’ll book your bike in at the earliest opportunity. My last big employer only got their 2000+ person office approved by including active travel provisions. Huge number of secure bike parking spaces in the undercroft, showers, lockers, kent electric bike changing rooms, even a repair hub. There is not a single situation where anyone visiting this factory has no alternative but to drive themselves there. Taxis will be allowed, Disabled parking will be provided, Courier vans will be catered for.