Cycling & Pola Bikes

Welshpool Town Council is working in partnership with Powys County Council and local organisations to deliver an exciting new network of cycling facilities across Welshpool, creating a lasting legacy from the 2027 Tour de France Grand Départ.

In October 2026, the project was awarded £44,950 in Welsh Government funding through the Croeso i Feicwyr Fund. Together with match funding from Welshpool Town Council, the project represents an investment of £56,188 in improving cycling facilities, visitor connections and opportunities to explore Welshpool by bicycle.

About the Project

The Welshpool Connected Cycling Hubs and Pola Bikes project aims to make Welshpool a more welcoming and accessible destination for cyclists, while encouraging visitors to explore the town, discover local attractions and support local businesses.

The project will establish a connected network of cycling hubs, parking facilities and visitor information, linking Welshpool town centre with its major attractions, public transport connections and surrounding cycling routes.

Planned improvements include:

• Covered cycle parking and secure cycle stands at key locations.
• Public bicycle repair stations and tyre pumps.
• E-bike charging facilities where feasible.
• Bilingual Welsh and English route information, wayfinding and visitor signage.
• Digital visitor information connecting cyclists with local attractions, businesses and cycling routes.
• A new bicycle-hire pilot, known as Pola Bikes.

Where Will the Cycling Hubs Be Located?

Three principal cycling hubs are proposed at:

• Vicarage Gardens / Welshpool Information Centre: The flagship hub, providing a central location for cycling information, facilities and the Pola Bikes hire service.
• Powis Castle: Cycling facilities connecting one of Welshpool's principal visitor attractions with the wider network, developed in coordination with the separate North Powys Cycle Hubs project.
• Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, Raven Square: A hub linking cycling with the heritage railway and the town's visitor attractions.

Additional cycle parking and wayfinding are also planned at Welshpool Railway Station, the Montgomery Canal at Buttington and other strategic locations across the town centre.

The precise locations, specifications and installation arrangements will be finalised in consultation with landowners and project partners.

Introducing Pola Bikes

An exciting part of the project is Pola Bikes, a new bicycle-hire service being developed by Welshpool Town Council.

The initial pilot will operate from Welshpool Information Centre, allowing visitors to hire bicycles and explore Welshpool and its surrounding attractions without needing to bring their own bikes.

The scheme is intended to encourage visitors to spend more time in Welshpool, discover local cycling routes and visit attractions such as Powis Castle, the Montgomery Canal and the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway.

Further details about bicycle availability, hire charges, booking arrangements and operating hours will be published as the scheme develops.

Project Timetable

Following confirmation of the funding award in October 2026, work is progressing to finalise the project arrangements, designs, site agreements and procurement.

• October 2026 - Early 2027: Project mobilisation, detailed planning, site agreements and procurement preparation.
• Spring 2027: Procurement, installation preparations and development of the Pola Bikes pilot.
• July 2027: Target for the priority cycling network to be operational in time for the Tour de France Grand Départ.
• Summer - Autumn 2027: Installation of the remaining cycling hubs, parking facilities and signage.
• January 2028: Planned completion, final inspections and project close-out.

These are the current programme targets and may be updated as detailed delivery arrangements are confirmed.

Working in Partnership

The project is being developed through collaboration between Welshpool Town Council, Powys County Council and local partners, including the National Trust at Powis Castle, Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway, transport providers and local cycling and tourism businesses.

By working together, the partners aim to create a joined-up cycling experience that connects visitors with Welshpool's attractions, heritage, businesses and surrounding countryside.