IT HAS been dubbed one of the busiest cycle hire centres in rural England.

Now campaigners are celebrating the opening of a new £300,000 building that aims to encourage even more visitors to the New Forest to leave their car behind and explore the area on two wheels.

The previous Cyclexperience centre at Brockenhurst railway station was housed in former shipping containers that had no electricity or running water.

It has now been replaced by a larger, purpose-built facility that boasts better workshop facilities plus toilets, showers and baby changing facilities.

The removal of the containers has also resulted an extra 20 parking spaces for rail passengers.

Half the funding for the scheme was provided by the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA), which obtained a £150,000 grant from the Department for Transport and subsequently saw the sum matched by private investment.

As well as hiring a bike, visitors can learn about the national park and plan their trip using a giant wall map.

Campaigners are striving to ensure that more tourists travel to the Forest by train before using bicycles or public transport to explore the area.

An NPA spokesman said cyclexperience was already one of the busiest cycle hire centres in rural England.

The authority’s chairman, Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, added: “The opening of the new facility is a welcome and important step towards our aim of encouraging more people to enjoy the Forest without a car.

“As well as supporting new and existing jobs in the local economy, the centre will also provide visitors with a wealth of information about the area.

“This ensures that anyone hiring a bike is made aware that the New Forest is a unique landscape and that their actions can help to keep it special for future generations.”

Cycling minister Andrew Jones has also praised the new centre.

He said: “The government is committed to doubling the number of people cycling by 2020, encouraging healthier lifestyles and improving the environment.

“The new cycling centre at Brockenhurst station will help more people get on their bikes and enjoy the beautiful New Forest, helping boost tourism and the local economy.”

Ross Kempson, co-director of cyclexperience, added: “After 23 years of operating from inadequate premises in the station car park, this new cycle centre will allow us to provide an even better service to people of all abilities looking to hire a bike to explore the New Forest.”