VISITORS to the Worcestershire Breast Unit have claimed that the area has no cycle parking for those needing to use the service.

From chaining their bikes to benches to finding a new mode of transport altogether, some users of the breast unit have complained about the lack of facilities.

However, a spokesperson for the hospital trust said there are cycle racks available at other parts of Worcestershire Royal Hospital on Charles Hastings Way, where the unit is based.

Taking to social media, the women have explained how the issue has affected them during visits to the unit.

One said: "When there's no parking, a sturdy, fixed-to-the-ground bench will do.

"Shame that with a relatively new building and the space for it, cycle parking wasn't in the plans."

Another added: "I found this a problem too when attending my radiotherapy last year.

"I would have cycled more, but there was nowhere to leave my bike, which felt secure enough."

Dan Brothwell, chair of Bike Worcester, said: "Not being a woman, I cannot speak about sexism in transport, cycling or cycle parking.

"There are more male cycling parking than females, and this is something I have been made aware of.

"No cycle parking at Breast Cancer Screening Units is part of that – but there is not a lot at the hospital anyway."

A spokesperson for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Acute NHS Trust said: "We have a number of cycle racks across our hospital site, and we also offer a cycle-to-work scheme for our staff.

"As part of our commitment to sustainable travel, additional cycle parking is also included in our new Urgent & Emergency Care development at Worcestershire Royal.

"Our Green Plans are being reviewed as part of our wider NetZero initiative and will help us to identify any more opportunities for further increasing the amount of cycle parking on site."

In recent months, Worcestershire County Council was given a zero rating for Active Travel, which cut the county's funding for improving cycling and walking facilities.

Drivers were having issues with the car park at Worcestershire Royal Hospital after long queues built up to leave the site.

Worcester News reported on the issues on several occasions.

Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said they would be consulting with parking specialists to solve the issue.